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The objective of the article is to present the research development of socio-environmental conflicts for oil exploration. A descriptive interpretative study was carried out through documentary research with a qualitative approach. Fifty research references were reviewed in various databases. In the results, Latin American countries stand out with the highest research output. The predominant method was the case study. It is concluded that the study of socioenvironmental conflicts has been increasing in Latin America and with it, the extension of the studied realities from several perspectives. However, the socio-environmental conflictivity has been little approached from the perspective of the thought of the social groups, aspects such as value systems, information, and knowledge of the communities, have not been widely developed in the investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to analyze the normative aspects of temporary work companies (TWC), using as a general reference the legal context of some Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay), and particularly the Venezuelan case. Methodology was an explanatory-descriptive type of research, supported by a bibliographical review of doctrinal and legal sources as well as jurisdictional decisions. These elements permitted an analysis of the present legal situation of TWCs in Venezuela, which, on one hand, assume the character of intermediaries according to the terms of article 54 of the Statutory Labor Law, and on the other hand, are eliminated from the legal context on which they were based; in this sense, they have entered a situation of legal insecurity that directly affects the obligations and legitimate rights of employers, their temporary and permanent workers, as well as the companies that maintained legal connections with this figure, which in some ways, empowered employment in the country and fortified a labor market with greater flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Industrialization that Latin America has experienced during the past 50 years, the increase of population and the growth of chemical-related industries has generated a variety of environmental problems that must be addressed. After assessing these profound changes, greater emphasis should be placed on the study of environmental health and toxicology. Latin American countries face many problems that are common to other developing nations. Therefore, there is a demand for safety assessment and regulatory control of chemicals that create a need for increasing numbers of toxicologists. To meet this demand, educational programs in toxicology have to be designed. This paper utilizes a consultation questionnaire that includes toxicology-network members, scientists and educational institutions where toxicology is taught. An analysis of the information collected is made, with an emphasis on what we currently lack and on future challenges for toxicology professionals. Although the response from the study institutions was 65% (13 countries out of 20), the paper aims to assess the present situation of toxicology. The convenience for a certification/recognition for toxicologists is also evaluated. Action needs to be taken to promote scientific development based on regional specific needs that require increasing at the number of toxicology programs, and promoting of cooperation between academics and researchers. Among the limitations we have are the variability of curricula, objectives and priorities. The increasing globalization of markets and regulations requires the harmonization of graduate/postgraduate programs to ensure that risk assessment and management are dealt with uniformly. Cooperation among our countries and international assistance should play a more prominent role in the promotion of regional integration and the more efficient utilization of international experience in defining educational policies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Importance: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with increasing incidence and mortality in Latin America. CRC screening programs can reduce disease burden, but information on screening programs in Latin America is limited., Objective: To describe characteristics (eg, type of program, uptake, neoplastic yield) of CRC screening programs in Latin America., Data Sources: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, LILACS, and SciELO were searched from inception to February 2023. Relevant references from bibliographies, conference proceedings, and gray literature were considered. The search strategy included English, Spanish, and Portuguese terms., Study Selection: Included were studies of CRC screening programs in Latin America using fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy as the primary screening method. Four reviewers independently assessed study eligibility based on titles, with review of abstracts and full texts as needed., Data Extraction and Synthesis: Guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed for data abstraction and quality assessment. Descriptive information was extracted, and data were pooled using a random-effects model., Main Outcomes and Measures: Program performance indicators included rates of participation and FIT positivity, adenoma detection rate (ADR), advanced adenoma detection rate (AADR), CRC detection rate, and colonoscopy quality indicators., Results: There were 17 studies included from upper middle-income and high-income countries in Latin America with a total of 123 929 participants. Thirteen studies used FIT as the initial screening method, whereas 4 used screening colonoscopy. The participation rate in FIT-based programs was 85.8% (95% CI, 78.5%-91.4%). FIT positivity rates were 15.2% (95% CI, 9.6%-21.8%) for the 50-ng/mL threshold and 9.7% (95% CI, 6.8%-13.0%) for the 100-ng/mL threshold. For FIT-based studies, the pooled ADR was 39.0% (95% CI, 29.3%-49.2%) and CRC detection rate was 4.9% (95% CI, 2.6%-7.9%); for screening colonoscopy-based studies, the pooled ADR was 19.9% (95% CI, 15.5%-24.8%) and CRC detection rate was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.8%)., Conclusions and Relevance: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that CRC screening in upper middle-income countries in Latin America is feasible, detecting rates of neoplasia comparable with those of high-income regions. Population-based screening programs should be developed or enhanced in these settings. There is a knowledge gap regarding feasibility and yield of screening programs in lower middle-income countries.

Measuring the quality of life in family caregivers of people in palliative care is essential to document the impact of care on the caregiver. This study aimed to adapt and validate a Latin American-Spanish version of the QOLLTI-F scale in family caregivers of palliative care patients. This study was conducted between May and November 2019 in Medellin, Colombia. We develop three phases: translation and semantic adaptation (n = 17), face and content validity (n = 21), construct validity, internal consistency (n = 208) and test-retest reliability (n = 35). Main family caregivers of stage-IV cancer patients receiving palliative treatment, participated. In the translation and semantic adaptation, some items were adjusted following the caregivers' recommendations. In face validity, Fleiss' Kappa was over 0.65 for family caregivers. In content validity, Fleiss' Kappa ranged from 0.54 to 1 for experts. In construct validity, the original version seven-factor structure did not show appropriate model fit indices. The data revealed instead a new 3-factor structure related to (1) impact of care-giving, (2) social and healthcare interactions and (3) meaning of life. Cronbach's alpha was 0.83 for the overall scale. Test-retest reliability was 0.87 between measurements 1 and 2. This study found that The Latin American-Spanish version of the QOLLTI-F scale is an understandable, useful, and relevant tool for family caregivers of people with cancer receiving palliative care. Future research is needed to confirm the factor structure identified in this study., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: Shigella sonnei is a globally important diarrhoeal pathogen tracked through the surveillance network PulseNet Latin America and Caribbean (PNLA&C), which participates in PulseNet International. PNLA&C laboratories use common molecular techniques to track pathogens causing foodborne illness. We aimed to demonstrate the possibility and advantages of transitioning to whole genome sequencing (WGS) for surveillance within existing networks across a continent where S. sonnei is endemic., Methods: We applied WGS to representative archive isolates of S. sonnei (n = 323) from laboratories in nine PNLA&C countries to generate a regional phylogenomic reference for S. sonnei and put this in the global context. We used this reference to contextualise 16 S. sonnei from three Argentinian outbreaks, using locally generated sequence data. Assembled genome sequences were used to predict antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes and identify AMR determinants., Results: S. sonnei isolates clustered in five Latin American sublineages in the global phylogeny, with many (46%, 149 of 323) belonging to previously undescribed sublineages. Predicted multidrug resistance was common (77%, 249 of 323), and clinically relevant differences in AMR were found among sublineages. The regional overview showed that Argentinian outbreak isolates belonged to distinct sublineages and had different epidemiologic origins., Conclusions: Latin America contains novel genetic diversity of S. sonnei that is relevant on a global scale and commonly exhibits multidrug resistance. Retrospective passive surveillance with WGS has utility for informing treatment, identifying regionally epidemic sublineages and providing a framework for interpretation of prospective, locally sequenced outbreaks., (Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)