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Digital, Introduction: Cardiovascular risk factors have been measured under different conditions, there is some missing information related to specific occupations, such as penitentiary staff which due to their characteristics could have an increased cardiovascular risk. Objective: To determine cardiovascular risk factors on military staff from penitentiary institutions in Santander—Colombia. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 182 workers. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, and glucose levels were measured. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out to establish differences between individuals. Results: Anthropometric and biochemical measures showed that 71.3% participants were overweight or obese, 29.4% presented high blood pressure with increased levels of total cholesterol (27.5%), triglycerides (40.7%), glucose (9.3%), and 84.1% presented low levels of HDL cholesterol. Bivariate analysis found a negative correlation between BMI and HDL cholesterol (p, Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Introduction:Chagas’ disease is the leading cause of infectious myocarditis worldwide. This infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is usually life-long and asymptomatic; however, the third part of infected people can develop severe or even fatal cardiomyopathy. As the parasitemia in the chronic phase is both low-grade and intermittent, T. cruzi infection is principally detected by serology, although this method has sensitivity and specificity limitations.Objective: To determine the level of agreement between serologicand molecular tests in 658 voluntary blood donors from six provinces in the Colombian department of Santander. Materials and methods: We evaluated an array of diagnostic technologies by cross-section sampling performing a serological double diagnostic test for T. cruzi antibody detection (Chagas III ELISA™, BiosChile Group, and ARCHITECT Chagas CMIA™, Abbott) , and DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We collected the demographic, clinical, and epidemiological information of participants. The sample size was calculated using Epidat™ and the statistical analysis was done with Stata 12.1™. Results: PCR was six times more sensitive in detecting T. cruzi infection than ELISA/CMIA with prevalence values of 1.8% (12/658) and 0.3% (2/658), respectively, and kappa=0.28 (95%CI: -0.03 - 0.59). In contrast, serology showed a sensitivity of 16.7% (95%CI: 2.09 - 48.4) and a specificity of 100% (95%CI: 99.4 - 100). All seropositive samples were found to be positive by PCR. Conclusions: The implementation of PCR as a complementary method for screening donors could reduce the probability of false negative and the consequent risk of transfusional-transmission of Chagas’ disease, especially in endemic regions., Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas constituye la principal causa de miocarditis infecciosa en el mundo. Causada por Trypanosoma cruzi, la infección puede persistir toda la vida de manera asintomática y silenciosa, pero un tercio de los infectados desarrolla cardiomiopatía grave. Debido a que la parasitemia en la fase crónica es baja e intermitente, el diagnóstico se hace principalmente mediante la detección de anticuerpos (serología), método que tiene limitaciones de sensibilidad y especificidad. Objetivo. Determinar la concordancia entre el diagnóstico serológico y molecular de T. cruzi en 658 donantes voluntarios de sangre del departamento de Santander, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de evaluación de tecnologías diagnósticas con muestreo transversal, utilizando un doble diagnóstico serológico para la detección de anticuerpos anti-T. cruzi (Chagas III ELISA™, BiosChile Group, y ARCHITECT Chagas CMIA™, Abbott) y la de ADN por PCR. Se recolectó la información demográfica, clínica y epidemiológica de los participantes. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó utilizando Epidat™ y el análisis estadístico se hizo mediante Stata 12.1™. Resultados. La sensibilidad de la PCR fue seis veces mayor que la de las pruebas de ELISA/CMIA, con prevalencias de 1,8 % (12/658) y 0,3 % (2/658), respectivamente, y kappa de 0,28 (IC95% -0,03 - 0,59). La sensibilidad serológica fue de 16,7 % (IC95% 2,09 - 48,4) y la especificidad de 100 % (IC95% 99,4 - 100). Todas las muestras seropositivas fueron positivas también en la PCR. Conclusiones. El uso de la PCR como método complementario para la tamización de donantes podría reducir el riesgo de falsos negativos y disminuir los casos de transmisión transfusional de la enfermedad de Chagas, especialmente en regiones endémicas., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Introduction: Periodontitis affects more than 20% of the Latin American population. Oxidative markers are associated with greater progression of periodontitis; therefore, its role in pathogenesis should be studied. Objective: To determine the prevalence of the main oral bacteria and viruses associated with periodontitis and estimate the total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in saliva from patients with periodontitis. Materials and methods: We conducted systemically a cross-sectional study in 101 healthy subjects, 87 of whom had been diagnosed with periodontitis (P), according to the criteria of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology, and 14 without periodontal pockets as controls (C). In subgingival samples, major viruses and dental pathogenic bacteria were identified using PCR techniques. The levels of total antioxidant capacity and malon-di-aldehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry in samples of unstimulated saliva. Results: The mean of periodontal depth pocket and clinical attachment loss in patients with periodontitis was 5.6 ± 1.7 and 6.1 ± 3.1 mm, respectively. The most prevalent microorganisms were Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (32.5%) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (18.6%). The patients from rural areas showed a higher percentage of A. actinomycetemcomitans (urban: 17.9% vs. rural: 48.9%, p=0.0018). In patients with periodontitis, the frequency of EBV, HSV1 and 2, and HCMV genes was 2.3%. Periodontitis patients had higher levels of MDA (P: 2.1 ± 1.5; C: 0.46 ± 0.3 μmol/g protein; p=0.0001) and total antioxidant capacity (P: 0.32 ± 0.2; C: 0.15 ± 0.1 mM; p< 0.0036). Oxidative markers showed no modifications due to the presence of periodontopathic bacteria. Conclusions: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was the most prevalent bacteria; its presence did not modify the levels of oxidative markers in the saliva of patients with periodontitis., Introducción. La periodontitis afecta a más del 20 % de la población latinoamericana. La presencia de marcadores de estrés oxidativo se asocia con una mayor progresión de periodontitis, por lo que su rol en la patogenia debe estudiarse. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de las principales bacterias y virus asociados con la periodontitis y estimar la capacidad antioxidante total y la peroxidación de lípidos en la saliva de los pacientes con periodontitis. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal en 87 sujetos sanos diagnosticados con periodontitis (P) según los criterios de los Centers of Disease Control and Prevention y la American Academy of Periodontology y 14 sujetos sin enfermedad periodontal como grupo control (C). En las muestras subgingivales se identificaron los principales virus y bacterias mediante técnicas de PCR. Los niveles de capacidad antioxidante total y malon-di-aldehído (MDA) se establecieron mediante espectrofotometría en muestras de saliva no estimulada. Resultados. Las medias de profundidad del sondaje y del nivel de inserción clínico periodontal en pacientes con periodontitis fueron 5,6 ± 1,7 y 6,1 ± 3,1 mm, respectivamente. Los microorganismos más prevalentes fueron Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (32,5 %) y Porphyromonas gingivalis (18,6 %). Los pacientes de áreas rurales registraron un mayor porcentaje de A. actinomycetemcomitans (urbano: 17,9 % Vs. rural: 48,9 %; p=0,0018). La frecuencia de los genes EBV, HSV1 y 2, y HCMV fue de 2,3 %. En pacientes con periodontitis se evidenciaron mayores niveles de MDA (P: 2,1 ± 1,5; C: 0,46 ± 0,3 μmol/g proteína; p=0,0001) y capacidad antioxidante total (P: 0,32 ± 0,2; C: 0,15 ± 0,1 mM; p, Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) is a diarrheagenic E. coli pathotype carrying a virulence plasmid that encodes a type III secretion system (TTSS) directly implicated in bacterial cell invasion. Since 2012, EIEC serotype O96:H19 has been recognized in Europe, Colombia, and most recently Uruguay. In addition to the invasion phenotype, the strains isolated from Colombian children with moderate-to-severe gastroenteritis had a strong biofilm formation phenotype, and as a result, they are referred to as biofilm-forming enteroinvasive E. coli (BF-EIEC). The objective of this study was to characterize the biofilm formation phenotype of the BF-EIEC O96:H19 strain 52.1 isolated from a child with moderate-to-severe gastroenteritis in Colombia. Random mutagenesis using Tn5 transposons identified 100 mutants unable to form biofilm; 20 of those had mutations within the pgaABCD operon. Site-directed mutagenesis of pgaB and pgaC confirmed the importance of these genes in N-acetylglucosamine-mediated biofilm formation. Both biofilm formation and TTSS-mediated host cell invasion were associated with host cell damage on the basis of cytotoxic assays comparing the wild type, invasion gene mutants, and biofilm formation mutants. Multilocus sequence typing-based phylogenetic analysis showed that BF-EIEC strain 52.1 does not cluster with classic EIEC serotype strains. Instead, BF-EIEC strain 52.1 clusters with EIEC serotype O96:H19 strains described in Europe and Uruguay. In conclusion, BF-EIEC O96:H19, an emerging pathogen associated with moderate-to-severe acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age in Colombia, invades cells and has a strong biofilm formation capability. Both phenotypes are independently associated with in vitro cell cytotoxicity, and they may explain, at least in part, the higher disease severity reported in Europe and Latin America. IMPORTANCE Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), a close relative of Shigella, is implicated in dysenteric diarrhea. EIEC pathogenicity involves cell invasion mediated by effector proteins delivered by a type III secretion system (TTSS) that disrupt the cell cytoskeleton. These proteins and the VirF global regulator are encoded by a large (>200 kb) invasion plasmid (pINV). This study reports an emergent EIEC possessing a cell invasion phenotype and a strong polysaccharide matrix-mediated biofilm formation phenotype. Both phenotypes contribute to host cell cytotoxicity in vitro and may contribute to the severe disease reported among children and adults in Europe and Latin America., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Introducción: En los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, los profesores deben reflexionar continuamente sobre las estrategias que se aplican directamente en el aula. Se ha estudiado el efecto de metodologías como el aprendizaje basado en problemas, el aprendizaje basado en proyectos, las simulaciones apoyadas en la tecnología, entre otras, en comparación con las metodologías tradicionales. Objetivo: Describir las fortalezas del aprendizaje basado en proyectos como estrategia educativa en el contexto de las ciencias de la salud. Desarrollo: El proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las ciencias de la salud requiere de estrategias dinámicas que permitan articular los conocimientos adquiridos, con una visión práctica de las disciplinas en un contexto basado en la solución de problemas y el pensamiento crítico. Se destaca el aprendizaje basado en proyectos como una metodología que exige una participación activa, investigativa y reflexiva, para la solución de un problema; así, el conocimiento es consecuencia de la discusión, la argumentación y la toma de decisiones, que implican la construcción de dicha solución. Conclusiones: El aprendizaje basado en proyectos puede introducir mejoras y cambios con respecto a las estrategias tradicionales, al fomentar la motivación, el trabajo colaborativo, la adquisición y el afianzamiento de conocimientos en los estudiantes. Asimismo, es una metodología basada en la autoformación del estudiante que fortalece su capacidad de expresión oral y escrita, y la planificación del tiempo, por lo que se facilita la conformación y participación en equipos interdisciplinarios, competencias esenciales para el desempeño ideal de los profesionales de la salud., Introduction: In teaching-learning processes, professors must continually reflect on the strategies applied directly in the classroom. The effect of methodologies such as problem-based learning, project-based learning, technology-supported simulations, among others, has been studied in comparison with traditional methodologies. Objective: To describe the strengths of project-based learning as an educational strategy in the context of health sciences. Development: The teaching-learning process of health sciences requires dynamic strategies that allow the articulation of the acquired knowledge, with a practical vision of disciplines in a context based on problem solving and critical thinking. Project-based learning is highlighted as a methodology that requires active, investigative and reflective participation to solve a problem; thus, knowledge is the consequence of discussion, argumentation and decision-making, which imply the construction of such a solution. Conclusions: Project-based learning can introduce improvements and changes with respect to traditional strategies, by promoting motivation, collaborative work, as well as knowledge acquisition and consolidation in students. Likewise, it is a methodology based on student self-training and strengthening their capacity for oral and written expression, as well as time planning, thus facilitating the formation and participation in interdisciplinary teams, essential competences for an ideal performance of health professionals., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Purpose. Eugenol, the main component of clove bud essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllus), has been linked to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal and immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and cytotoxic activity of eugenol, the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllus, and some semisynthetic derivatives of eugenol against dermatophytes of the genus Trichophyton. Methodology. We evaluated the antifungal effect of the compounds, determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by the microdilution method and the minimum fungicidal concentrations by cultures from the inhibitions. Additionally, the inhibition of the radial growth of the mycelium of the dermatophyte fungi was tested by poisoned substrate. Cytotoxicity was measured by the colorimetric method on Vero cells. Results. All of the eugenol compounds tested exhibited antifungal properties, showing MICs of 62.5–500 µg ml−1 , determined within three dermatophyte species: Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton tonsurans. Among these derivatives, methyl isoeugenol, at concentrations of 300 and 100 µg ml−1, was found to completely inhibit (100 %) radial growth of the mycelium of all three species after 20 days of treatment. Additionally, phenotypic variations related to the decrease in pigment production of T. rubrum were observed after treatment with O-ethyl and O-butyl isoeugenol derivatives. Meanwhile, all of the tested (iso)eugenol molecules exhibited moderate toxicity in Vero cells [50 % cytotoxic concentration (the concentration required for a 50 % reduction in cell viability; CC50): 54.06–265.18 µg ml−1 ). Conclusion. The results suggest that the semisynthetic eugenol derivatives (SEDs) show promising antifungal activity and selectivity against dermatophyte fungi., Supplementary material is available with the online version of this article., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, Background: Parasite persistence, exacerbated and sustained immune response, and continuous oxidative stress have been described to contribute to the development of the cardiac manifestations in Chronic Chagas Disease. Nevertheless, there are no efficient therapies to resolve the Trypanosoma cruzi infection and prevent the disease progression. Interestingly, trypanocide, antioxidant, and immunodulatory properties have been reported separately for some major terpenes, as citral (neral plus geranial), limonene, and caryophyllene oxide, presents in essential oils (EO) extracted from two chemotypes (Citral and Carvone) of Lippia alba. The aim of this study was to obtain L. alba essential oil fractions enriched with the aforementioned bioactive terpenes and to evaluate the impact of these therapies on trypanocide, oxidative stress, mitochondrial bioenergetics, genotoxicity, and inflammatory markers on T. cruzi-infected macrophages. Methods: T. cruzi-infected J774A.1 macrophage were treated with limonene-enriched (ACT1) and citral/caryophyllene oxide-enriched (ACT2) essential oils fractions derived from Carvone and Citral-L. alba chemotypes, respectively. Results: ACT1 (IC50 = 45 ± 1.7 μg/mL) and ACT2 (IC50 = 80 ± 1.9 μg/mL) exhibit similar trypanocidal effects to Benznidazole (BZN) (IC50 = 48 ± 2.5 μg/mL), against amastigotes. Synergistic antiparasitic activity was observed when ACT1 was combined with BZN (∑FIC = 0.52 ± 0.13 μg/mL) or ACT2 (∑FIC = 0.46 ± 1.7 μg/mL). ACT1 also decreased the oxidative stress, mitochondrial metabolism, and genotoxicity of the therapies. The ACT1 + ACT2 and ACT1 + BZN experimental treatments reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and increased the antiinflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Conclusion: Due to its highly trypanocidal and immunomodulatory properties, ACT1 (whether alone or in combination with BZN or ACT2) represents a promising L. alba essential oil fraction for further studies in drug development towards the Chagas disease control., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a neurological disease of the lysosomal deposit that has a significant impact given the implications for the neurodegenerative deterioration of the patient. Currently, there is no treatment available that reverses the development of characteristic neurological and systemic symptoms. Objective. Carry out an updated bibliographic search on the most critical advances in the treatment and diagnosis for LDM. A retrospective topic review published in English and Spanish in the Orphanet and Pubmed databases. Current treatment options, such as enzyme replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation aimed at decreasing the rapid progression of the disease, improving patient survival; however, these are costly. The pathophysiological events of intracellular signaling related to the deficiency of the enzyme Arylsulfatase A and subsequent accumulation of sulphatides and glycosylated ceramides have not yet been established. Recently, the accumulation of C16 sulphatides has been shown to inhibit glycolysis and insulin secretion in pancreatic cells. The significant advance in technology has allowed timely diagnosis in patients suffering from LDM; however, they still do not have an effective treatment., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la resistencia antimicrobiana de 176 cepas de Escherichia. coli aisladas de órganos de pollos broiler. Las cepas fueron desafiadas con antibióticos betalactámicos, quinolonas y fluoroquinolonas, observándose resistencia a antibióticos betalactámicos (97.7%) y a quinolonas (86.7%). El 71.6% de los aislados también expresaron fenotípicamente la producción de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (ESLB). Mediante PCR se determinaron genes de resistencia para betalactámicos blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M1 y Amp-C y genes de resistencia para quinolonas qnrA, qnrB, qnrS. Se encontraron los genes Amp-C (74%), blaCTX-M (65%), blaSHV (65%), blaTEM (50%), qnrB (86.4%) y qnrS (11.9%). No se evidenció el gen qnrA en las muestras analizadas. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron un gran porcentaje de resistencia a los antibióticos estudiados y la presencia de genes de resistencia en aislados de aves para consumo humano, lo cual constituye un riesgo para la salud pública., The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance of 176Escherichia coli strains isolated from broiler chicken organs. The strains were challengedwith beta-lactam, quinolones and fluoroquinolones, observing resistance to beta-lactamantibiotics (97.7%) and quinolones (86.7%). The results showed that 71.6% of the isolatesphenotypically expressed the production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESLB).By PCR, resistance genes for beta-lactams blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M1 and Amp-Cand resistance genes for quinolones qnrA, qnrB, qnrS were determined. The genes Amp-C (74%), blaCTX-M (65%), blaSHV (65%), blaTEM (50%), qnrB (86.4%) and qnrS (11.9%)were found. The qnrA gene was not evident in the samples analysed. The results obtainedrevealed a large percentage of resistance to the studied antibiotics and the presence ofresistance genes in isolates from poultry for human consumption, which constitutes arisk for Public Health., Ciencias exactas, Ciencias agropecuarias

Digital, Los péptidos antimicrobianos (AMPs) son una buena opción terapéutica contra bacterias multidrogoresistentes. Sin embargo, el uso terapéutico de los AMPs se ha obstaculizado, debido a su inestabilidad en ambientes específicos, propensión al clivaje por proteasas o en algunos casos citotoxicidad. Los AMPs exhiben pequeño tamaño, carga neta positiva y anfipaticidad, necesarios para adquirir estructura secundaria, en superficies hidrofóbicas e hidrofílicas, lo que facilita la interacción electrostática con las membranas bacterianas. Los péptidos Ib-M1, Ib-M2 e Ib-M6, que se usarán en este estudio, son análogos sintéticos del péptido Ib-AMP4, nativo de la planta Impatiens balsamina, que fueron obtenidos después de modificar su carga neta e hidrofobicidad mediante la inserción de arginina y triptófano. Estudios de la actividad biológica de Ib-M contra E. coli O157:H7, mostraron actividad inhibitoria menor a 10 µM, sin evidencia de citotoxicidad en células Vero, por lo que se consideran agentes antibacterianos promisorios., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Ciencias médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Background: Culturing primary epithelial cells has a major advantage over tumor-derived or immortalized cell lines as long as their functional phenotype and genetic makeup are mainly maintained. The swine model has shown to be helpful and reliable when used as a surrogate model for human diseases. Several porcine cell lines have been established based on a variety of tissues, which have shown to extensively contribute to the current understanding of several pathologies, especially cancer. However, protocols for the isolation and culture of swine gastric epithelial cells that preserve cell phenotype are rather limited. We aimed to develop a new method for establishing a primary epithelial cell culture from the fundic gland region of the pig stomach. Results: Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of gastric tissue was possible by combining collagenase type I and dispase II, protease inhibitors and antioxidants, which allowed the isolation of epithelial cells from the porcine fundic glands showing cell viability > 90% during the incubation period. Gastric epithelial cells cultured in RPMI 1640, DMEM-HG and DMEM/F12 media did not contribute enough to cell adhesion, cluster formation and cell proliferation. By contrast, William’s E medium supplemented with growth factors supports confluency and proliferation of a pure epithelial cell monolayer after 10 days of incubation at 37 °C, 5% CO2. Mucin-producing cell phenotype of primary isolates was confirmed by PAS staining, MUC1 by immunohistochemistry, as well as the expression of MUC1 and MUC20 genes by RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing. Swine gastric epithelial cells also showed origin-specific markers such as cytokeratin cocktail (AE1/AE3) and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods, respectively. Conclusions: A new method was successfully established for the isolation of primary gastric epithelial cells from the fundic gland zone through a swine model based on a combination of tissue-specific proteases, protease inhibitors and antioxidants after mechanical cell dissociation. The formulation of William’s E medium with growth factors for epithelial cells contributes to cell adhesion and preserves functional primary cells phenotype, which is confirmed by mucin production and expression of typical epithelial markers over time., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, os péptidos antimicrobianos (AMPs) son una buena opción terapéutica contra bacterias multidrogoresistentes. Sin embargo, el uso terapéutico de los AMPs se ha obstaculizado, debido a su inestabilidad en ambientes específicos, propensión al clivaje por proteasas o en algunos casos citotoxicidad. Los AMPs exhiben pequeño tamaño, carga neta positiva y anfipaticidad, necesarios para adquirir estructura secundaria, en superficies hidrofóbicas e hidrofílicas, lo que facilita la interacción electrostática con las membranas bacterianas. Los péptidos Ib-M1, Ib-M2 e Ib-M6, que se usarán en este estudio, son análogos sintéticos del péptido Ib-AMP4, nativo de la planta Impatiens balsamina, que fueron obtenidos después de modificar su carga neta e hidrofobicidad mediante la inserción de arginina y triptófano. Estudios de la actividad biológica de Ib-M contra E. coli O157:H7, mostraron actividad inhibitoria menor a 10 µM, sin evidencia de citotoxicidad en células Vero, por lo que se consideran agentes antibacterianos promisorios., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children aged less than 5 years in low- and middle-income countries where limited access to potable water, poor sanitation, deficient hygiene, and food product contamination are prevalent. Research on the changing etiology of AGE and associated risk factors in Latin America, including Colombia, is essential to understand the epidemiology of these infections. The primary objectives of this study were to describe etiology of moderate to severe AGE in children less than 5 years of age from Bucaramanga, Colombia, a middle-income country in Latin American, and to identify the presence of emerging E. coli pathotypes. Methodology/Principal findings This was a prospective, matched for age, case-control study to assess the etiology of moderate to severe AGE in children less than 5 years of age in Bucaramanga, Colombia, South America. We tested for 24 pathogens using locally available diagnostic testing, including stool culture, polymerase chain reaction, microscopy and enzyme-linked immunoassay. Adjusted attributable fractions were calculated to assess the association between AGE and each pathogen in this study population. The study included 861 participants, 431 cases and 430 controls. Enteric pathogens were detected in 71% of cases and in 54% of controls (p =, This study was supported, in part, by the NIH-NIAID R01-AI095346 to OGG and by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number UL1TR001412 to the University at Buffalo. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, Antimicrobial peptides arise as a very promising alternative for the treatment of infections generated by pathogenic microorganisms. The Ib-M2 antimicrobial peptide turns out to be a very promising candidate for these types of applications. However, it is required to evaluate immobilization systems that give peptides greater stability and activity in order to be used in biological systems. Given the above, this paper reports the preparation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with chitosan in order to immobilize the Ib-M2 antimicrobial peptide. Structural properties of SPIONs were studied by DLS, SEM, XRD, FT-IR, XPS and the magnetic properties were evaluated by vibrating-sample magnetometer technique. The antimicrobial activity of the Ib-M2/SPIONs@Chi bioconjugate obtained was evaluated against Escherichia coli O157:H7 by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results show that the SPIONs obtained have particle size between 10 and 15 nm with a magnetite-type structure which was confirmed by FT-IR and XPS. Characterization of magnetic properties evidences a superparamagnetic behavior of nanoparticles obtained. MIC results showed that Ib-M2/SPIONs@Chi bioconjugate exhibit a comparable or higher activity against E. coli in comparison with the free Ib-M2 peptide. These results show that the bioconjugate obtained can be considered for use in biomedical applications., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad, Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas para la Sostenibilidad

Digital, To our knowledge, there are no published studies that describe the physical activity (PA) levels and objectively measure them through accelerometry in toddlers (2–3 years old) attending early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were two-fold: (a) to analyse toddlers’ PA levels and sedentary behaviour (SB) during school hours in ECEC institutions, as well as the rate of adherence to specific recommendations on total PA (TPA) and moderate–vigorous PA (MVPA); and (b) to evaluate the characteristics correlates (age, gender, and body mass index –BMI) of young children and the school environment on toddlers’ TPA, light PA (LPA), MVPA, and SB during school hours in ECEC institutions. PA was evaluated with ActiGraph accelerometers. The main findings were that: (a) toddlers engaged in very high amounts of TPA and MVPA during ECEC hours; (b) girls and boys displayed similar levels of LPA, TPA, and SB, while girls had lower levels of MVPA, compared to boys, and younger toddlers were less active than older ones; (c) BMI was not associated with PA of any intensity or SB; (d) playground and classroom density were not associated with higher levels of PA of any intensity, though classroom density was associated with SB. These ECEC institutions provide and challenge the new COVID-19 scenario, as well as supportive environments for toddlers’ PA, Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

1 p., El desarrollo de nuevos péptidos antimicrobianos se ha convertido en una alternativa atractiva a los antibióticos convencionales debido a las crecientes tasas de resistencia a los fármacos microbianos. Ib-M corresponde a una familia de péptidos sintéticos catiónicos, de 20 aminoácidos de longitud, que han mostrado efecto inhibidor frente a la cepa no patógena Escherichia coli K-12. Este trabajo evaluó el potencial antimicrobiano de los péptidos Ib-M contra el E patógeno . coli O157: H7 utilizando una cepa de referencia y un aislado clínico. Los péptidos Ib-M mostraron actividad antibacteriana contra ambas cepas de E . coliO157: H7; la concentración mínima inhibitoria de los péptidos Ib-M osciló entre 1,6 y 12,5 µM y la concentración bactericida mínima osciló entre 3,7 y 22,9 µM, siendo Ib-M1 e Ib-M2 los péptidos que presentaron mayor efecto inhibidor. El ensayo de cinética de eliminación del tiempo mostró una reducción de la población bacteriana en más del 95% después de 4 horas de exposición a 1xMIC de Ib-M1. Se observó una baja citotoxicidad en células VERO con una concentración citotóxica del 50% en el rango de 197,5 a más de 400 μM. Todos los péptidos mostraron una estructura aleatoria en ambientes hidrófilos, excepto Ib-M1, y todos ellos pasaron a una estructura α-helicoidal cuando se incrementó la hidrofobicidad del medio. En conclusión, estos hallazgos apoyan el efecto antimicrobiano in vitro de los péptidos Ib-M contra las bacterias patógenas.E . coli O157: H7 y resultan ser moléculas prometedoras para el desarrollo de nuevas alternativas terapéuticas., The development of new antimicrobial peptides has become an attractive alternative to conventional antibiotics due to the increasing rates of microbial drug resistance. Ib-M corresponds to a family of cationic synthetic peptides, 20 amino acids in length, that have shown inhibitory effect against the non-pathogenic strain Escherichia coli K-12. This work evaluated the antimicrobial potential of Ib-M peptides against the pathogenic E. coli O157: H7 using a reference strain and a clinical isolate. The Ib-M peptides showed antibacterial activity against both strains of E. coli O157: H7; the minimum inhibitory concentration of Ib-M peptides ranged from 1.6 to 12.5 μM and the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 3.7 to 22.9 μM, being Ib-M1 and Ib-M2 the peptides that presented the highest inhibitory effect. Time-kill kinetics assay showed a reduction of the bacterial population by more than 95% after 4 hours of exposure to 1xMIC of Ib-M1. Low cytotoxicity was observed in VERO cells with 50% cytotoxic concentration in the range from 197.5 to more than 400 μM. All peptides showed a random structure in hydrophilic environments, except Ib-M1, and all of them transitioned to an α-helical structure when the hydrophobicity of the medium was increased. In conclusion, these findings support the in vitro antimicrobial effect of Ib-M peptides against the pathogenic bacteria E. coli O157: H7 and prove to be promising molecules for the development of new therapeutic alternatives., Ej. 1

The Ib-M6 peptide has antibacterial activity against non-pathogenic Escherichia coli K-12 strain. The first part of this study determines the antibacterial activity of Ib-M6 against fourteen pathogenic strains of E. coli O157:H7. Susceptibility assay showed that Ib-M6 had values of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) lower than streptomycin, used as a reference antibiotic. Moreover, to predict the possible interaction between Ib-M6 and outer membrane components of E. coli, we used molecular docking simulations where FhuA protein and its complex with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS&ndash, FhuA) were used as targets of the peptide. FhuA/Ib-M6 complexes had energy values between &minus, 39.5 and &minus, 40.5 Rosetta Energy Units (REU) and only one hydrogen bond. In contrast, complexes between LPS&ndash, FhuA and Ib-M6 displayed energy values between &minus, 25.6 and &minus, 40.6 REU, and the presence of five possible hydrogen bonds. Hence, the antimicrobial activity of Ib-M6 peptide shown in the experimental assays could be caused by its interaction with the outer membrane of E. coli.

Digital, After the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, the number of rotavirus-associated deaths and the predicted annual rotavirus detection rate had slightly declined worldwide. Taking in account that in Colombia, Rotarix vaccine was introduced in 2009, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of rotavirus A in children under five years who were treated for acute diarrhoea in Bucaramanga, Colombia and, moreover, to determine the genotypes of rotavirus present in those children. We performed an analytical cross-sectional study of rotavirus A in faecal samples from children up to five years of age. Stool samples were screened for rotavirus A using a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay and confirmed using a VP6 sandwich ELISA. Genotyping of rotavirus A-positive samples was performed by PCR and sequencing of VP7 and VP4 genes. The overall prevalence of rotavirus was 30.53% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.2 - 39.7). Most of the children with rotavirus (86.2%) had received two doses of the rotavirus vaccine. G3 strains accounted for the vast majority of cases (82.8%), followed by G12 strains (13.8%) and G3/G9 coinfections (3.4%). Among the P genotypes, P[8] was the most prevalent (69%), followed by P[9] (31%). The most common G[P] genotype combination was G3P[8], followed by G3P[9]. The main finding in this study was that rotavirus, in a Colombian region, is still an important pathogen in children under five years old, previously vaccinated. The results showed that different factors, such as kindergarten attendance, could explain the epidemiology and transmission of rotavirus in Bucaramanga., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública, enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública, enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de Toxoplasma gondii y Mycoplasma agalactiae en ovinos y caprinos del sur de La Guajira y norte del Cesar como parte del establecimiento de un perfil serológico de estas especies animales en la región colombiana. Las muestras de suero (n=1039) fueron analizadas con kits comerciales de ELISA específicos para estos dos patógenos. La prevalencia global encontrada en la región fue del 25.1 y 18.3% para T. gondii y de 0.12 y 0.8% para M. agalactiae, en ovinos y caprinos, respectivamente. Muestras positivas a T. gondii fueron más frecuentes en hembras que en machos. Asimismo, todas las muestras positivas a M. agalactiae fueron determinadas en hembras., The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii andMycoplasma agalactiae in sheep and goats from the south of La Guajira and north ofCesar as part of the establishment of a serological profile of these species in the Colombianregion. Serum samples (n=1039) were analysed with commercial ELISA kits specific forthese pathogens. The global prevalence found in the region was 25.1 and 18.3% for T.gondii and 0.12 and 0.8% for M. agalactiae in sheep and goats, respectively. Positivesamples for T. gondii were more frequent in females than in males. Likewise, all samplespositive for M. agalactiae were determined in females., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Context: Nowadays, complementary therapies are necessary for a major removal of microbial subgingival biofilm in the conventional treatment of periodontitis. Research has suggested the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a promising therapy to manage oral cavity infections. This project proposes a new combination of photosensitizer chloroaluminum phthalocyanine and nanoemulsion as a strategy for improving bioactivity. The main purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of nanoemulsion ClAlPc (ClAlPc-NE) on relevant periodontal bacteria before and after PDT. Materials and Methods: The phototoxic and antibacterial effect of ClAlPc-NE was evaluated against epithelial cells derived from an African green monkey kidney using the colorimetric method with salt tetrazolium 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2.5-Diphenyltetrazolium bromide (Merck) and periodontopathogen bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 33384), and Prevotella intermedia (ATCC 25611) using the plate microdilution method according to Tavares et al., 2018, respectively. The light source used for the PDT was a LED laser (400–700 nm); the cells were irradiated for 2 min using 4.83 joules/cm2. Results: Antibacterial effect of NE-PcAlCl against P. intermedia with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0.63 μM after TFD was determined. In the case of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans, no biological activity was found after PDT (MIC > 20 μM) under-evaluated experimental conditions. On the other hand, the ClAlPc-free and ClAlPc-NE cells were phototoxic on epithelial cells. Conclusion: The results helped to identify the potential use of ClAlPc-NE to inhibit the periodontal bacterial and additional studies are being developed., Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Digital, Background Microsporum spp. are keratinophilic dermatophytes that mainly invade the stratum corneum of the skin and hair causing clinical symptoms associated with tinea. Its treatment has several limitations, and the search for new active molecules is necessary. Objective To evaluate the antifungal and cytotoxic potential of Eugenia caryophyllus essential oil (EO), eugenol, isoeugenol and methylisoeugenol against Microsporum canis, M. gypseum and Vero cells. Methods The EO was extracted by conventional heating-assisted hydrodistillation, the eugenol obtained commercially and the derivatives through Williamson synthesis. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs), minimum fungicidal concentration, inhibition of radial mycelial growth and germination inhibition were used to evaluate the antifungal activity. In addition, a colorimetric test was conducted to evaluate cytotoxic activity. Results MIC and MFC values for all compounds were 62.5-500 μg/mL for both of the species of Microsporum evaluated. Also, concentrations of 300 μg/mL of the compounds inhibited 100% of M. canis mycelium. The inhibition of germination was observed after 6 hours of treatment (11.86 ± 3.46-85.31 ± 0%). No cytotoxicity was observed in Vero cells (CC50 > 105 μg/mL), whereas terbinafine showed CC50 31.00 ± 0.61 μg/mL. Conclusions Our study indicates an interesting bioactivity of isoeugenol and methylisoeugenol against M. canis, M. gypseum and mammalian cells., 1 ed., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad

Digital, El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar el porcentaje de sensibilidad o resistencia de cepas de E. coli aisladas de pollo de engorde asintomático frente a 18 antibióticos comunes utilizados en avicultura y medicina humana; a su vez, cepas productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEES), procedentes de granja o plantas de beneficio de la zona avícola de Santander, Colombia. Se determinó la circulación de cepas resistentes a betalactámicos, cefalosporinas, aminoglucósidos, quinolonas y sulfonamidas, así como antibióticos de amplio uso en ambientes ajenos a las granjas. Se aislaron 46 cepas de E. coli del contenido de bolsas de Fabricio de 100 pollos de engorde entre 2 y 6 semanas de edad (20 procedentes de una granja avícola y 80 de una planta de sacrificio) en Santander, Colombia. Las muestras fueron cultivadas en agar McConkey. Se realizaron pruebas de sensibilidad a las cepas aisladas con 18 antimicrobianos. El 91% de las cepas fueron resistentes a la ampicilina y el 80% a las cefalosporinas; así mismo, al enfrentar las cepas con la asociación de antibióticos con inhibidores de betalactamasas (ampicilina sulbactam y amoxacilina/ácido clavulánico), se encontró 30% de resistencia. Se utilizó la prueba del doble disco para evaluar la presencia de cepas de E. coli productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEES) confirmando su presencia en el 63% de las muestras. Se evidencia la presencia de cepas de E. coli en aves de engorde asintomáticas, con alta resistencia antimicrobiana, incluyendo expresión de BLEES., The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of sensitivity or resistance of strains of E. coli isolated from asymptomatic broiler chicken against 18 common antibiotics used in poultry and in human medicine. In addition, strains that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) from a farm or slaughterhouses in the poultry area of Santander, Colombia. The circulation of strains resistant to beta-lactams, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, quinolones and sulfonamides was determined, as well as antibiotics widely used in other non-farm environments. The content of the bursa of Fabricius was cultivated in McConkey agar obtaining 46 strains of E. coli. Susceptibility tests (n=18) were conducted to the isolated strains, and 91% of the strains were resistant to ampicillin and 80% to cephalosporins. The association of antibiotics with beta-lactamase inhibitors (ampicillin sulbactam and amoxicillin / clavulanic acid) showed 30% resistance. The double disc test was used to evaluate the presence of strains of E. coli producing extendedspectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) confirming its presence in 63% of the samples. Results showed the presence of E. coli strains in asymptomatic chicken broilers with high antimicrobial resistance, including expression of ESBL., Ciencias básicas biomédicas, epidemiología, salud pública, enfermedades infecciosas, enfermedades no transmisibles epidemiología, salud y desarrollo, discapacidad