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This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The document builds on a review of literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from Latin America (LATAM). Evidence was collected to understand scientific and policy perspectives on the differential diagnosis of ARIs and POC rapid testing, with a focus on seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The evidence indicates that POC rapid testing can serve to improve ARI case management, epidemiological surveillance, research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. With multiple types of rapid tests available for POC, decisions regarding which tests to use require the consideration of the testing purpose, available resources, and test characteristics regarding accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and results turnaround time. Based on the understanding of the current situation, this document provides a set of recommendations for the implementation of POC rapid testing in LATAM, supporting decision-making and guiding efforts by a broad range of stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in Latin America. BIA-ALCL is a rare T-Cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is sometimes linked to the use of breast implants, particularly textured ones. The incidence of BIA-ALCL remains limited, but there have been cases reported in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Panama. The article emphasizes the need for further research and awareness in Latin America to improve the understanding and management of this condition. [Extracted from the article]

This research explores the extent to which the interaction among payment systems and institutional arrangements together with internal and external labour market (ELM) dynamics influence gender pay processes and career progress for men and women graduates in the banking sectors of Argentina and Chile. The research follows a qualitative methods approach for the banking sector. The more inclusive Argentinian industrial relations system, reinforced by above-market collective pay agreements in banking and the economic instability of recent years, has restricted inter-firm mobility and generated a more gender-neutral distributional pay effect for graduates. By contrast, the more decentralised and individually-driven Chilean wage-setting system incentivises Chilean graduates to be more reactive to ELM opportunities to improve their wages. However, this greater mobility tends to benefit more men than women graduates because women tend to be more attached to their organisations. They also find their wage bargaining position weakened as a result of gender stereotyping, which reflects employer prejudices constructed in reaction to family support policies that are more generous than those in Argentina. Finally, the research argues that the more inclusive Argentinian industrial relations system limits gender bias in pay by providing more formalisation, centralisation and transparency in pay decisions compared to the more discretionally-driven decisions of the Chilean HRM system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective. To evaluate disease features and outcomes in two populations with significant Amerindian ancestry. Methods. Hispanic patients (from Texas) from the Lupus in Minorities: Nature versus Nurture (LUMINA) cohort and Mestizo patients from the Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio del Lupus or Latin American Group for the Study of Lupus (GLADEL) cohort were included. Disease features and outcomes were evaluated at baseline and last visit. Admixture informative markers of Mestizo Genoma de Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico Network consortium (GENLES) patients and Hispanic LUMINA patients were compared. Univariable analyses were performed using Chi square or Student's t test as appropriate. Multivariable analyses adjusting for possible confounders were carried out using Poisson, logistic or Cox regression models as appropriate. Results. A total of 114 LUMINA and 619 GLADEL patients were included. GLADEL patients had accrued more damage at baseline, but the opposite was the case at last visit. Being from LUMINA was a risk factor for damage accrual, even after adjusting for possible confounders [relative risk (RR) 1.33, 95% CI 1.12, 1.58]. Also, LUMINA patients have a higher risk of mortality than GLADEL patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.37, 95% CI 1.10, 5.15], having 5-year survival of 85.6% and 94.5%, respectively. In addition, 79 LUMINA patients and 744 Mestizo GENLES patients were evaluated in order to compare genetic ancestry between the two groups; GENLES patients had a higher proportion of European ancestry (48.5% vs 43.3%, P = 0.003) and a lower proportion of Asian ancestry (3.7% vs 4.9%, P = 0.048), but the proportions of Amerindian and African ancestry were comparable in both. Conclusion. USA Hispanic patients seemed to have a poorer prognosis than their counterparts from Latin America, despite having a comparable genetic background. Socioeconomic factors may account for these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented which addresses the authors' views about political will, emergency planning, and coordination in relation to an effort to improve responses to disasters and public health emergencies in the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) as of 2018. The Ministries of Health in the LAC and the Pan American Health Organization's Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Coordination program are examined, along with safe hospitals and an Emergency Medical Teams Initiative.

Access to an optimal treatment is determined by several factors, like availability, pricing/funding, and acceptability. In Latin America (LA), one of the regions with more disparities particularly on healthcare in the world, access is affected by other factors, including socio-demographic factors like poverty, living in rural regions, and/or health coverage. Regarding rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inadequate access to specialists leads to diagnosis and treatment delays diminishing the probability of remission or control. Unfortunately, in almost every LA country, there are cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants without rheumatologists; furthermore, a primary care reference system is present in only about half the countries. In the public health system, coverage of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs occurs for less than 10 % of the patients in about half of the countries. Also, as healthcare providers based their funding decisions mainly in direct costs instead of on patient-centered healthcare quality indicators, access to new drugs is more complicated in this region than in high-income countries. More accurate epidemiological data from LA need to be obtained in order to improve the management of patients with rheumatic diseases in general and RA in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article presents information on the significant legal developments during the year 2011 that took place in the regions of Caribbean and Latin America. The judicial reform and framing of new mining legislation in Bolivia and creation of new corporate entity in Brazil are discussed. Liability for unemployment insurance contributions, corporate tax obligations and reform in the administrative law of Colombia are also discussed.

The article focuses on developments related to laws across Latin America and Caribbean area during 2010. It mentions that new mandatory Pre-Court Mediation Law was enacted in Argentina in May. It informs that two laws on judicial system were approved in Bolivia, both related to judicial system. It reveals that in Brazil on July 4, Complementary Law also called as the Clean Record Law was enacted for protecting administrative probity and morality in performance of public functions.

Not much research has been carried out in Latin America on the human dimensions of climate change. An audience segmentation study was conducted in Chile to explore different perspectives about this issue, using data from a national survey (n=2170). Results showed most Chileans express high levels of concern and agree climate change is happening and caused mainly by human actions. On the contrary, differences were found on worldviews, behaviors, perceptions of control among other factors, allowing the identification of three groups: Pragmatics, Neoliberals and Environmentalists. These results can contribute to the design of more effective communication strategies to increase awareness and climate action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]