Crimes omitted in the investigation and passing judgment on gender-based violence in the Justice and Peace process (Law 975 of 2005)

La revisión de jurisprudencia proferida en contexto de un mecanismo judicial de justicia transicional enmarcado por el proceso penal especial de Justicia y Paz (Ley 975 de 2005), ha tenido omisiones que demuestran falencias en la investigación y juzgamiento de conductas constitutivas de violencia basada en género [VBG]. La presente investigación sistematiza tipologías penales que han sido objeto de sentencias, y se analizan casos en los cuales son visibles las omisiones de aplicar tipos penales en casos de VBG.The review of jurisprudence issued in the context of a judicial mechanism of transitional justice framed by the special criminal justice and peace process (Law 975 of 2005), has had omissions that demonstrate failures in the investigation and adjudication of constitutive conduct of violence based on gender [GBV]. The present investigation systematizes criminal typologies that have been object of sentences, and analyzed cases in which the omissions to apply penal types in cases of GBV are visible

Targeting Huntington’s disease through histone deacetylases

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition with significant burdens on both patient and healthcare costs. Despite extensive research, treatment options for patients with this condition remain limited. Aberrant post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins is emerging as an important element in the pathogenesis of HD. These PTMs include acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, sumoylation and ubiquitination. Several families of proteins are involved with the regulation of these PTMs. In this review, I discuss the current evidence linking aberrant PTMs and/or aberrant regulation of the cellular machinery regulating these PTMs to HD pathogenesis. Finally, I discuss the evidence suggesting that pharmacologically targeting one of these protein families the histone deacetylases may be of potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of HD

Molecular control of HIV-1 postintegration latency: implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies

The persistence of HIV-1 latent reservoirs represents a major barrier to virus eradication in infected patients under HAART since interruption of the treatment inevitably leads to a rebound of plasma viremia. Latency establishes early after infection notably (but not only) in resting memory CD4+ T cells and involves numerous host and viral trans-acting proteins, as well as processes such as transcriptional interference, RNA silencing, epigenetic modifications and chromatin organization. In order to eliminate latent reservoirs, new strategies are envisaged and consist of reactivating HIV-1 transcription in latently-infected cells, while maintaining HAART in order to prevent de novo infection. The difficulty lies in the fact that a single residual latently-infected cell can in theory rekindle the infection. Here, we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency and in the transcriptional reactivation from latency. We highlight the potential of new therapeutic strategies based on this understanding of latency. Combinations of various compounds used simultaneously allow for the targeting of transcriptional repression at multiple levels and can facilitate the escape from latency and the clearance of viral reservoirs. We describe the current advantages and limitations of immune T-cell activators, inducers of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibitors of deacetylases and histone- and DNA- methyltransferases, used alone or in combinations. While a solution will not be achieved by tomorrow, the battle against HIV-1 latent reservoirs is well- underway

Histone deacetylase inhibitors for treating a spectrum of diseases not related to cancer.

Contains fulltext : 97964.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)This issue of Molecular Medicine contains 14 original research reports and state-of-the-art reviews on histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi's), which are being studied in models of a broad range of diseases not related to the proapoptotic properties used to treat cancer. The spectrum of these diseases responsive to HDACi's is for the most part due to several antiinflammatory properties, often observed in vitro but importantly also in animal models. One unifying property is a reduction in cytokine production as well as inhibition of cytokine postreceptor signaling. Distinct from their use in cancer, the reduction in inflammation by HDACi's is consistently observed at low concentrations compared with the higher concentrations required for killing tumor cells. This characteristic makes HDACi's attractive candidates for treating chronic diseases, since low doses are well tolerated. For example, low oral doses of the HDACi givinostat have been used in children to reduce arthritis and are well tolerated. In addition to the antiinflammatory properties, HDACi's have shown promise in models of neurodegenerative disorders, and HDACi's also hold promise to drive HIV-1 out of latently infected cells. No one molecular mechanism accounts for the non-cancer-related properties of HDACi's, since there are 18 genes coding for histone deacetylases. Rather, there are mechanisms unique for the pathological process of specific cell types. In this overview, we summarize the preclinical data on HDACi's for therapy in a wide spectrum of diseases unrelated to the treatment of cancer. The data suggest the use of HDACi's in treating autoimmune as well as chronic inflammatory diseases

Erectile dysfunction and associated risk factors among young Mexican adults: The importance of partner availability

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of ED and associated risk factors among young Mexicans between 18 and 40 years of age.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study was conducted. Data collection was achieved through a questionnaire. Participants completed the Urologic Health Survey for Men and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. The study also included sociodemographic, clinical, and sexual behavior variables.ResultsOf the 373 questionnaires filled out, only 160 were answered completely and used for the analysis. The mean age was 25.59±5.45 years. The prevalence of ED was 33.7% (mild 17.5%, mild-to-moderate 8.1%, moderate 6.3%, and severe 1.9%). The mean score for non-ED males was 24.38±0.94 versus 15.41±4.81 in the ED group. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in the items of age (p<0.01), having a stable sexual partner (p<0.01), sleeping with the sexual partner (p<0.01), sexual orientation (p=0.04), and the number of sexual intercourse episodes per week (p<0.01). In the multivariate analysis “Not having a stable sexual partner” remained a significant risk factor (p=0.027, OR=2.60 [CI 1.11–6.08]).ConclusionsIn our study, young Mexican adults had an ED prevalence of 33.7% and most of the cases were mild (17.5%). Partner availability was important. No organic variables were related to ED

Estimated prevalence of HS in Australia overall and by gender.

Estimated prevalence of HS in Australia overall and by gender.</p

Predictive ability, sensitivity and specificity of the experimental self-administered HS severity questionnaire and DLQI against the Hurley Stage.

Predictive ability, sensitivity and specificity of the experimental self-administered HS severity questionnaire and DLQI against the Hurley Stage.</p

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) prevalence, demographics and management pathways in Australia: A population-based cross-sectional study

<div><p>Background</p><p>Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease. Global estimates of prevalence vary between 0.03% and 4% of the population.</p><p>Our main aim was to determine HS prevalence in the Australian adult population focussing on the demographics, management pathways and diagnosis rate of individuals living with HS.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In this population-based cross-sectional study, 17,050 individuals representative of the Australian adult population were asked through face-to-face household interviews to answer a previously validated HS screening questionnaire with high diagnostic power. Individuals who screened positive were asked additional questions, including previous diagnosis of HS and number/type of physicians consulted regarding their condition.</p><p>Results</p><p>11,433 Australian residents answered the HS questionnaire, 88 screening positive for HS (0.77%; 95% CI 0.62–0.95). Considering the previously reported sensitivity (0.97) and positive predictive value (0.85) of the screening questionnaire, HS prevalence was estimated to be 0.67% (95% CI 0.53%-0.84%). 6 of 88 suspected HS individuals reported a pre-existing HS diagnosis (6.8%; 95% CI 3.2%-14.1%). 25.6% of the undiagnosed individuals suspected of having HS had not seen any clinicians regarding their boils; the remaining ones had consulted General Practitioners (96.7%), and clinicians from different specialties. Comparisons of individuals who screened positive for HS versus those who screened negative demonstrated statistically significant differences in gender (p = 0.0046), age (p<0.0001), BMI (p = 0.0307), smoking status (p<0.0001), employment status (p<0.0001) and income (p = 0.0321).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The prevalence of HS in Australia was estimated to be 0.67% (95% CI 0.53%-0.84%). The diagnosis rate amongst the suspected HS cases was low, which appeared to be due to a combination of patients not seeking help and decentralization of care. Individuals suspected of having HS were more likely to be females, young, obese, smokers, unemployed or at home duties and having lower annual personal income in comparison with individuals not suspected of having HS.</p></div

Experimental HS severity questionnaire.

<p>Experimental HS severity questionnaire.</p