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Speaking English with fluency is one of the most demanding challenges students and teachers face in many educational communities, and it has been claimed that fluency problems can derive from lack of practice during independent study. This research article reports on a mixed-methods study that analyzed the effects of using collaborative and self-directed learning strategies through speaking tasks aimed at developing oral fluency. This study was carried out with a group of 10 students with a pre-intermediate level (CEFR A2) in English at a Colombian university. Qualitative data from students' reflections, compiled through a survey, and the teacher's classroom observations was analyzed through the grounded theory approach. Quantitative analysis was aided by a protocol in which frequency counts of words and hesitations per minute for each speaking task were registered. The results suggest that fluency can be acquired collaboratively when learning from others and by making mistakes. Additionally, working collaboratively increases learners' confidence not only because they feel they are not being judged but because they learn to see that their mistakes are not just theirs. Thus, collaboration is positively influenced by self-directed learning, in that it encourages students to make personal reflections on their weaknesses and strengths, thereby involving them in decision-making processes that identify what is not working properly and what they should do to succeed.

Copyright of Revista Cuidarte is the property of Universidad de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Primary caregivers face constant challenges because of changes in the clinical situation of the person receiving palliative home care. These changes can alter the health-related quality of life and all its dimensions. This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life of 137 primary caregivers of people enrolled in a palliative home care program in Bogota, Colombia, applying a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research design. The Caregiver's Quality of Life Instrument, initially developed by Ferrell, and the sociodemographic characteristics form for caregivers of people with chronic disease, both previously validated in the Colombian population, were used. The results showed that the primary caregivers have a good and adequate overall health-related quality of life; however, they presented some alterations in the physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Therefore, nursing and interdisciplinary palliative care teams should aim their interventions not only at patients but also at primary caregivers during palliative home care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bitácora Urbano/Territorial is the property of Bitacora Urbano/Territorial and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Investigacion & Educacion en Enfermeria is the property of Universidad de Antioquia, Facultad de Enfermeria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Cuidarte is the property of Universidad de Santander and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A few studies have carried out the taxonomic and molecular characterization of sylvatic mosquito species in Latin America, where some species have been incriminated as vectors for arboviruses and parasites transmission. The present study reports the molecular characterization of mosquito species in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a natural ecosystem in the Northern coast of Colombia. Manual capture methods were used to collect mosquitoes, and the specimens were identified via classical taxonomy. The COI marker was used for species confirmation, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighborjoining method, with the Kimura-2-Parameters model. Aedes serratus, Psorophora ferox, Johnbelkinia ulopus, Sabethes chloropterus, Sabethes cyaneus, Wyeomyia aporonoma, Wyeomyia pseudopecten, Wyeomyia ulocoma and Wyeomyia luteoventralis were identified. We assessed the genetic variability of mosquitoes in this area and phylogenetic reconstructions allowed the identification at the species level. Classical and molecular taxonomy demonstrated to be useful and complementary when morphological characteristics are not well preserved, or the taxonomic group is not represented in public molecular databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD) have a major impact on quality of life and medical costs. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence, incidence and clinical phenotypes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) cases in Mexico and Colombia. Methods: We analyzed official administrative and health databases, used mathematical modelling to estimate the incidence and complete prevalence, and performed a case-series of IBD patients at a referral center both in Mexico and Colombia. Results: The age-adjusted complete prevalence of UC per 100,000 inhabitants for 2015/2016 ranged from 15.65 to 71.19 in Mexico and from 27.40 to 69.97 in Colombia depending on the model considered. The prevalence of CD per 100,000 inhabitants in Mexico ranged from 15.45 to 18.08 and from 16.75 to 18.43 in Colombia. In Mexico, the age-adjusted incidence of UC per 100,000 inhabitants per year ranged from 0.90 to 2.30, and from 0.55 to 2.33 in Colombia. The incidence for CD in Mexico ranged from 0.35 to 0.66 whereas in Colombia, the age-adjusted incidence of CD ranged from 0.30 to 0.57. The case-series included 200 IBD patients from Mexico and 204 patients from Colombia. The UC/CD prevalence ratio in Mexico and Colombia was 1.50:1 and 4.5:1 respectively. In Mexico, the female/male prevalence ratio for UC was 1.50:1 and 1.28:1 for CD, while in Colombia this ratio was 0.68:1 for UC and 0.8:1 for CD. In Mexico the relapse rate for UC was 63.3% and 72.5% for CD, while those rates in Colombia were 58.2% for UC and 58.3% for CD. Conclusions: The estimated burden of disease of IBD in Mexico and Colombia is not negligible. Although these findings need to be confirmed by population-based studies, they are useful for decision-makers, practitioners and patients with this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to describe the cross-cultural validation process of the "DISABKIDS" questionnaire in Colombia, for both the children and adolescents' version and the parents' version, an instrument intended to measure the health-related quality of life of Colombian children and adolescents with chronic diseases. Method: the cross-cultural validation process was conducted according to an international consensual systematic methodology, called standardized linguistic validation, to ensure linguistic equivalence with the original questionnaire. Results: the pretest's cognitive interviews revealed a need to adjust the questionnaire, which consisted of asking for "health condition" rather than only asking for "condition". Due to the cultural context, the word "condition" used in the original version, when translated to Spanish, refers to socioeconomic conditions rather than health conditions. For this reason, 11 items in the children's version and eight items in the parents' version were adjusted. Conclusions: the Colombian version of DISABKIDS-37 to measure health-related quality of life among children and adolescents with chronic diseases in both the children's and parents' versions is equivalent to the original version and is appropriate for use in Colombia. Future studies can assess the questionnaire's psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The older population has been taking increasing worldwide due to technological. pharmaceutical and research advances. in addition to the decline in birth rates and increased life expectancy. The aim of this study was to conduct neuropsychological characterization of 450 seniors divided into three groups (institutionalized, retirees and workers), aged between 55 and 75 (X = 66.2) and S (6.5). Format medical records and instruments were applied: minimental standardized to Colombia. Brief Neuropsychological Test (NEUROPSI). A trans comparative descriptive nonexperimental design was used; the group having a lower cognitive performance is institutionalized compared with individuals of workers and pensioners groups, the memory process (evocation. working and learning) and executive functions (dorsolateral: verbal fluency, problem solving and motor programming) processes most affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Coragyps atratus has been used as a traditional therapy for patients with cancer, the scientific literature does not contain enough information on how this therapy is used or the mechanisms that explain this therapeutic practice. Objectives: To understand the methods of use and the reasons given by patients and caregivers for the use of Coragyps atratus in cancer treatment. Methods: This study used a qualitative design based on twenty in-depth interviews of patients with cancer or caregivers of patients with the disease. The analysis of the text was based on an inductive thematic approach. Results: Resistance to disease and immune enhancement are properties attributed to Coragyps atratus when used for cancer treatment. The most recommended method of use is fresh blood ingestion, and the associated mechanism of action is transfer of immune factors to the individual who consumes it. Conclusions: Use of Coragyps atratus as a treatment for cancer is a popular alternative therapy in Colombia. More studies are needed to understand the clinical effects of this intervention in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avances en Enfermería is the property of Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The mineralogical characterization of dark green cements of intraclasts and their host sandstones, developed using optical petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and organic petrography, provides new insights about the diagenetic evolution and depositional conditions of the late Oligocene-middle Miocene Amagá Formation, northwestern Colombia. Dark green intraclasts are found in medium-grained, slightly feldspathic sandstones, in which the main authigenic mineral is pyrite that formed during a mesogenetic (burial diagenesis) stage. The host sandstones of the dark green intraclasts were deposited in a meandering river environment and are related to point bar deposits over swampy areas. These strata are medium-grained quartzose sandstones cemented by ankerite as a product of replacement of early calcite through hydrothermal alteration. Solid hydrocarbons analysis together with new low-tempereture thermocronology apatite (U–Th)/He data, available apatite fission-track (AFT), zircon fission-track (ZFT) and vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) data, indicate maximum burial temperatures of ca., 100°C for the deeper parts of the basin. Solid hydrocarbons were emplaced in the late stages of the diagenetic history and occur in a porous system where fractures played an important role. They constitute the first evidence of migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in the Amagá Basin. However, the latest event of fracturing during a major cooling event associated with basin inversion at ca., 4 Ma, caused complete hydrocarbon biodegradation and seepage, and increased the effect of meteoric water inflow during the telogenetic stage. • AHe thermochronology and mineralogical (XRD, SEM, EDS) analysis for Amagá Formation, Colombia. • PaPaParagenetic sequence which honors petrography and geochronology (AHe, AFT, ZFT). • Low-temperature hydrothermal alteration in the sequence occurred at 23 Ma. • Late petroleum generation associated with Combia magmatic event at 9–12 Ma. • Hydrocarbon biodegradation and intense fracturing at 6-3 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gender disparities in PCI are well recognized. Global Lumen Organization for Women (GLOW), has previously reported these inequalities in a meta-analysis of >750,000 patients. Telemedicine eliminates some process barriers that women traditionally face when confronted with an acute myocardial infarction. Research regarding gender and telemedicine, however, is altogether lacking. Hypothesis: We explored the Latin American Telemedicine Infarct Network (LATIN) database to investigate the prevalence of gender disparities and their impact on STEMI interventions Methods: As a program for managing population-based AMI care, LATIN has utilized an innovative hub and spoke strategy and remote guidance to expand access in remote regions of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. A two-part strategy was diligently constructed for LATIN - telemedicine was first deployed as a screening tool to accurately diagnose AMI. Next, based upon the duration of chest pain and transfer time to a PCI-capable facility, the AMI patients were triaged into guidelines-based pathways of thrombolysis, pharmaco-invasive management or Primary PCI. Along the entire LATIN pathway of AMI diagnosis and its management, resource allocation was identical for both men and women Results: Data from 610,427 screened patients in LATIN reveals broad gender disparities were that were most revealing for prevalence of STEMI diagnosed (p<0.0001), STEMI treated (p<0.0001), PCI as the preferred reperfusion strategy (p<0.0001), pharmaco-invasive management (p<0.0001), use of CABG (p<0.001) and in-hospital mortality (<0.001). These findings assume even greater relevance with the detection that more women were screened through the Telemedicine pathway (p<0.0001). Conclusions: LATIN gender data signals the urgency to decree better STEMI care for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]