Biogas production from the specialized dairy farming and porcine subsectors in Antioquia, Colombia: theoretical and technical-energy potential approach

Received: February 23rd, 2022 ; Accepted: May 1st, 2022 ; Published: May 11th, 2022 ; Correspondence: [email protected] developing countries, residual biomass usage by means of anaerobic digestion offers several benefits and opportunities, such as a sustainable energy source, production of organic fertilizers and new agrobusiness models. In Latin America, Colombia is one of the most promising markets for the implementation of this technology in terms of availability of biomass and economic growth, as recently reported by local government organizations. In this paper, special attention is given to Antioquia, a department of Colombia with the largest farms of cattle and pigs, according to information reported in 2018 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is estimated that manure from the porcine subsector in Antioquia has an approximate technical-energy potential of 1,896 TJ year-1 , varying from 1,611 to 2,186 TJ year-1 , corresponding to the 95% confidence interval. In the case of manure generated by the livestock subsector in Antioquia, it is estimated a theoretical energy potential of 8,566 TJ year-1 . However, traditional extensive production systems disseminate manure through the pastures turning centralization of the available residual biomass a difficult task and not senseful. Based on the local practices of the specialized dairy subsector, it is estimated that manure collected during the milking process could reached up to 25% of the total available. Biochemical conversion of this amount of biomass has an estimated technical-energy potential of 187 TJ year-1 , varying from 156 and 236 TJ year-1 , corresponding to the 95% confidence. The aim of this article is to estimate the technical-energy potential for the livestock and porcine subsectors in the Department of Antioquia, based on the available residual biomass according to local farming practices

Notas taxonómicas y de distribución de Carex (Cyperaceae) en el Neotrópico.

We present relevant data about the taxonomy and distribution of 20 species of the genus Carex in the Neotropics from the Caribbean region to Patagonia. We provide a total of 19 new records, two of them for species not previously recorded from South America, ten species newly reported from different countries, and seven species here reported as new regional records in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. We lectotypify nine species names (C. brehmeri, C. catharinensis, C. ecuadorica, C. firmicaulis,C. fuscula, C. mandoniana, C. phleoides, C. polysticha, and C. subantarctica) and epitypify one of these names (C. fuscula). Finally, we propose Carex koyamae as a new synonym of Carex phleoides.Notas taxonómicas y de distribución de Carex (Cyperaceae) en el Neotrópico. Presentamos datos relevantes acerca de la taxonomía y distribución de 20 especies del género Carex en el Neotrópico(de la region Caribe a la Patagonia). Aportamos un total de 19 registros nuevos, dos de ellos para especies hasta el momento no registradas para Sudamérica, diez especies citadas como novedad para diferentes países y siete especies aquí reportadas como novedades regionales en Argentina, Bolivia y Chile. Lectotipificamos de nueve nombres de especies (C. brehmeri, C. catharinensis, C. ecuadorica, C. firmicaulis, C. fuscula, C. mandoniana, C. phleoides, C. polysticha y C. subantarctica) y epitipificamos uno de ellos (C. fuscula). Finalmente, proponemos a Carex koyamae como nuevo sinónimo de Carex phleoides

Impacto de la modificación de la respuesta inmunitaria por la lisofosfatidilcolina en la eficacia de la terapia antibiótica en un modelo experimental de sepsis peritoneal y de neumonía por Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Introduction: Immune response stimulation may be an adjuvant to antimicrobial treatment. Here, we evaluated the impact of immune response modification by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), combined with imipenem or ceftazidime, in murine models of peritoneal sepsis (PS) and pneumonia induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: The imipenem and ceftazidime-susceptible strain (Pa39) and imipenem and ceftazidime- resistant strain (Pa238) were used. Ceftazidime pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were determined. The therapeutic efficacy and TNF- and IL-10 levels were determined in murine mod- els of PS and pneumonia induced by Pa39 and Pa238 and treated with LPC, imipenem or ceftazidime, alone or in combination. Results: In the PS model, LPC+ceftazidime reduced spleen and lung Pa238 concentrations (−3.45 and −3.56 log10 CFU/g; P < 0.05) to a greater extent than ceftazidime monotherapy, while LPC + imipenem maintained the imipenem efficacy (−1.66 and −1.45 log10 CFU/g; P > 0.05). In the pneumonia model, LPC + ceftazidime or LPC + imipenem reduced the lung Pa238 concentrations (−2.37 log10 CFU/g, P = 0.1, or −1.35 log10 CFU/g, P = 0.75). For Pa39, no statistically significant difference was observed in the PS and pneumonia models between combined therapy and monotherapy. Moreover, LPC + imipenem and LPC+ceftazidime significantly decreased and increased the TNF- and IL-10 levels, respectively, in com- parison with the untreated controls and monotherapies. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the impact of immune response modification by LPC plus antibiotics on the prognosis of infections induced by ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa.introducción: La estimulación de la respuesta inmunitaria podría ser adyuvante al tratamiento antimi- crobiano. En este estudio, hemos evaluado el impacto de la modificación de la respuesta inmunitaria por la lisofosfatidilcolina (LPC), combinada con imipenem ó ceftazidima, en modelos murinos de sepsis peritoneal (SP) y de neumonía por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).Métodos: La cepa sensible a imipenem y ceftazidima (Pa39) y la cepa resistente a ambos antibióticos (Pa238) fueron usadas. Los parámetros farmacocinéticos/farmacodinámicos de ceftazidima fueron deter- minados. La eficacia terapéutica y los niveles de TNF- and IL-10 fueron determinados en los modelos murinos de SP y de neumonía por Pa39 y Pa238 y tratados con LPC, imipenem o ceftazidima, en monoter- apia ó en combinación. Resultados: En el modelo de SP, LPC + ceftazidima redujo la concentración de Pa238 en el bazo y el pulmón (–3,45 y –3,56 log10 UFC/g; p < 0,05) en comparación con ceftazidima, mientras LPC + impenem mantuvo la eficacia de imipenem (–1,66 y –1,45 log10 UFC/g; p > 0,05). En el modelo de neumonía, LPC + ceftazidima o LPC + imipenem redujo la concentración de Pa238 en pulmón (–2,37 log10 UFC/g, p = 0,1 o –1,35 log10 UFC/g, p = 0,75). Para Pa39, no se observó diferencia estadística significativa entre la terapia combinada y la monoterapia en los modelos de SP y de neumonía. Además, LPC + imipenem y LPC + ceftazidime redujeron y aumentaron los niveles de TNF- y IL-10, respectivamente, en comparación con los controles no tratados y las monoterapias. Conclusiones: Estos resultados demuestran el impacto de la modificación de la respuesta inmunitaria por LPC en combinación con antibióticos en el pronóstico de las infecciones por P. aeruginosa ceftazidima- resistente

Resultados de la actividad de los Servicios de Información Telefónica sobre Teratógenos (SITTE y SITE) durante el año 2004 y análisis del nivel cultural de la población usuaria

Resultados de otras actividades del ECEMCWe present a summary of the activity of the two teratology information services: SITTE (for health professional) and SITE (for the general population), during 2004. A total of 6.407 calls were received, 1.456 of them were made by health professional and the remaining 4.951 by the general population. Drugs were, one more year, the most common question in either services, specially drugs affecting CNS. We also analyzed the cultural level of the women that used the SITE during the last ten years. The results show that most of the users of the service belong to the higher cultural levels, measured by the level of their educational studies. We conclude that is necessary to consider new strategies particularly aimed to reach to those women with low level of education (or low cultural level).N

Mobilidade, acidentes de trânsito e fatores associados entre estudantes universitários da Guatemala

El objetivo fue identificar y cuantificar la asociación entre la intensidad de exposición (km/año recorridos), la accidentalidad y sus factores asociados en universitarios de Guatemala. Se realizó un estudio trasversal durante el curso 2010-2011, sobre una muestra de 1.016 conductores, quienes cumplimentaron un cuestionario autoadministrado que valoraba: patrones de movilidad, uso de dispositivos de seguridad, estilos de conducción y accidentalidad. Se obtuvieron asociaciones positivas entre la intensidad de exposición y la mayor implicación en circunstancias de riesgo al volante (coeficiente de regresión ajustado de 3,25, IC95%: 2,23-4,27, para las mayores exposiciones). Tanto una mayor implicación en tales circunstancias, como una mayor edad, fueron las variables más fuertemente asociadas con la mayor accidentalidad. Pese a que la intensidad de exposición se asocia positivamente con una mayor accidentalidad, se constató que la mayor parte de dicha asociación está mediada por una mayor implicación en circunstancias de riesgo al volante.The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the association between the amount of driving (km/year), traffic accidents, and other factors among university students in Guatemala. A cross-sectional study was performed during the 2010-2011 school year in a sample of 1,016 drivers who completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed mobility patterns, use of safety accessories, driving style, and automobile crashes. The results showed a positive association between amount of driving and greater involvement in risky driving (adjusted regression coefficient 3.25, 95%CI: 2.23-4.27, for the highest level of exposure). More frequent involvement in risky driving and older age showed the strongest associations with traffic accidents. Although the amount of driving was positively associated with a higher accident rate, most of this association was found to be mediated by involvement in risky driving practices.O objetivo foi identificar e quantificar a associação entre a intensidade de exposição (km/anos percorridos), a acidentalidade e os seus fatores em universitários da Guatemala. Realizou-se um estudo transversal durante o curso 2010-2011 sobre uma amostra de 1.016 condutores de veículos, que responderam a um questionário autoadministrado que valorizava: padrões de mobilidade, uso de dispositivos de segurança, maneira de condução e acidentalidade. Obtiveram-se associações positivas entre intensidade de exposição e maior implicância em circunstâncias de risco ao conduzir (coeficiente de regressão ajustado a 3,25; IC95%: 2,23-4,27, para as maiores exposições). Tanto a maior implicância em ditas circunstâncias como uma maioridade foram as variáveis mais fortemente associadas com a maior acidentalidade. Apesar de a intensidade de exposição ser associada positivamente com uma maior acidentalidade, estabelecemos que a maior parte da dita associação está mediada pela maior implicância em circunstâncias de risco ao conduzir

Cranial and extracranial giant cell arteritis do not exhibit differences in the IL6 -174 G/C gene polymorphism

Since interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pivotal proinflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), we aimed to determine the potential association of the functional IL6 -174 G/C polymorphism with GCA as well as if the single base change variation at the promoter region in the human IL-6 gene may account for differences in the clinical spectrum of GCA between cranial and extracranial large vessel vasculitis (LVV)-GCA

Cranial and extracranial large-vessel giant cell arteritis share a genetic pattern of interferon-gamma pathway

OBJECTIVES: Two main different clinical phenotypes of giant cell arteritis (GCA) have been described, the classic cranial pattern and the extracranial large-vessel (LV) pattern. Since interferon gamma (IFNG) has shown to be a pivotal cytokine in the pathophysiology of GCA, our aim was to evaluate for the first time the influence of IFNG and IFNG receptor 1 (IFNGR1) polymorphisms in the different clinical phenotypes of GCA. METHODS: Two IFNG polymorphisms (rs2069718 G/A and rs1861493 A/G) and one polymorphism in IFNGR1 (rs1327474 G/A) were genotyped in 191 patients with biopsy-proven cranial GCA, 109 with extracranial LV-GCA and 490 healthy controls. A comparative study was conducted between patients with cranial and extracranial LV-GCA. RESULTS: No significant differences in genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies of IFNG polymorphisms were found between GCA patients with the classic cranial pattern and the extracranial LV-GCA pattern. Similar results were found for genotype and allele frequencies of IFNGR1 polymorphism. It was also the case when patients with extracranial LV-GCA were compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that IFNG and IFNGR1 polymorphisms do not influence the clinical phenotype of expression of GCA. Classic cranial GCA and extracranial LV-GCA seem to share a genetic pattern of IFNG pathway

The presence of both HLA-DRB1[*]04:01 and HLA-B[*]15:01 increases the susceptibility to cranial and extracranial giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To determine if patients with the predominant extracranial large-vessel-vasculitis (LVV) pattern of giant cell arteritis (GCA) have a distinctive HLA-B association, different from that reported in biopsy-proven cranial GCA patients. In a further step we assessed if the combination of HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles confers an increased risk for GCA susceptibility, either for the cranial and extracranial LVV phenotypes. Methods: A total of 184 patients with biopsy-proven cranial GCA, 105 with LVV-GCA and 486 healthy controls were included in our study. We compared HLA-B phenotype frequencies between the three groups. Results: HLA-B*15 phenotype was significantly increased in patients with classic cranial GCA compared to controls (14.7% versus 5.8%, respectively; p<0.01; OR [95% CI] =2.81 [1.54-5.11]). It was mainly due to the HLA-B*15:01 allele (12.5% versus 4.0%, respectively; p<0.01; OR [95% CI] =3.51 [1.77-6.99]) and remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Similar HLA-B*15 association was observed in patients with the LVV-GCA (11.4% versus 5.8%, p=0.04, OR [95% CI] =2.11 [1.04-4.30]). This association was also mainly due to the HLA-B*15:01 allele (10.5% versus 4.0%, respectively; p=0.0054; OR [95% CI] =2.88 [1.19-6.59]). Noteworthy, the presence of HLA-B*15:01 together with HLA-DRB1*04:01 led to an increased risk of developing both cranial and extracranial LVV-GCA. Conclusions: Susceptibility to GCA is strongly related to the HLA region, regardless of the clinical phenotype of expression of the disease.This work was partially supported by RETICS Programs, RD08/0075 (RIER), RD12/0009/0013 and RD16/0012 from ‘‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’’ (ISCIII) (Spain). However, this research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the commercial or not-for-profit sectors

Problematic Internet Use in University Students: associated factors and differences of gender

El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar un análisis descriptivo del uso problemático de Internet en estudiantes universitarios, evaluando la posible asociación con problemas de salud y conductas adictivas, así como diferencias de género en los tipos utilización. Un total de 2780 alumnos participaron en el estudio entre los años 2011 – 2014, siendo un 29% varones (edad 20.8 ± 5.1 años) y un 71% mujeres (edad de 20.3 ± 4.4 años). La prevalencia de uso problemático de Internet evaluada mediante el Internet Addiction Test fue del 6.08%. Ser menor de 21 años y cursar titulaciones diferentes a ciencias de la salud fueron factores asociados a una mayor frecuencia de este problema, no existiendo diferencias en función del sexo o tipo de domicilio. Los resultados muestran una asociación significativa con algunos problemas de salud (migrañas, dolor lumbar, sobrepeso u obesidad, descanso insuficiente), aspectos psicológicos (riesgo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, riesgo de trastorno mental, depresión), problemas familiares y discriminación; no encontrándose asociaciones con consumo de sustancias adictivas (alcohol, tabaco o cannabis). Respecto al tiempo de uso de Internet, las horas de conexión semanales fueron significativamente mayores en las mujeres que en los hombres, tanto en el tiempo total como por motivos de ocio. El análisis del perfil de utilización en usuarios problemáticos reveló que los varones se relacionan más con aspectos de ocio como los juegos o las compras online y las mujeres con aspectos de socialización, como el chat o las redes sociales