Serological Detection of Viral Infections in Captive Wild Cats from Costa Rica

Serum samples from a total of 44 wildcats, 28 margays (Leopardus wiedii), 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), four jaguaroundis (Herpailurus yaguaroundi), one oncilla (Leopardus tigrina), and one jaguar (Panthera onca) were obtained between January 2001 and August 2002 from the Profelis Centre for rehabilitation of wild felids, located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica. Forty three samples were tested for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and p27 antigen of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), 42 samples for antibodies against feline parvovirus (FPV), and 30 for antibodies against feline calicivirus (FCV). None of the samples contained detectable antibodies against FIV or p27 antigen of FeLV, all samples contained antibodies against FPV, and one sample contained antibodies against FCV

Epidemiological behavior, geographic distribution and initial clinical management of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Boyacá. 2008-2015

Introducción. La leishmaniasis es una de las enfermedades reemergentes que más secuelas y discapacidad causa en zonas donde las condiciones geográficas favorecen la presencia del vector.Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento, la distribución geográfica y el manejo clínico inicial de la leishmaniasis cutánea en el departamento de Boyacá, Colombia, entre los años 2008 y 2015.Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo de tipo retrospectivo cuya muestra correspondió a las fichas de notificación epidemiológica obligatoria del Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública pertenecientes a pacientes diagnosticados con leishmaniasis cutánea en Boyacá del 2008 al 2015.Resultados. De los afectados, el 63.6% correspondió a hombres con ocupaciones afines a actividades forestales y procedentes de zonas rurales. El 81% de los casos se localizaron en el occidente del departamento junto a la cuenca del Rio Magdalena, uno de los principales afluentes del territorio colombiano. Se evidenció un tratamiento clínico inicial inadecuado en el 25% de la muestra, lo que constituyó un factor de riesgo para resistencia a los antimoniales pentavalentes.Conclusión. Es necesaria la implementación de estrategias de seguimiento a los pacientes con la finalidad de constatar los criterios de curación de la enfermedad y plantear estrategias para su prevención.Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a reemerging disease that causes more sequelae and disability than any other of its kind in areas where geographical conditions favor the presence of the vector.Objective: To describe the behavior, geographical distribution and initial clinical management of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the department of Boyacá between 2008 and 2015.Materials and methods: Observational, retrospective study on a sample of patients diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, registered in the mandatory epidemiological notification sheets of the Colombian public health surveillance system from 2008 to 2015.Results: 63.6% of patients were men with occupations related to forestry activities and from rural areas. 81% of the reported cases were located in western Boyacá, along the Magdalena River basin, one of the main tributaries of Colombia. Inadequate initial clinical management was observed in 25% of the study sample, which is a risk factor for resistance to pentavalent antimonials.Conclusion: It is necessary to implement follow-up strategies for patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in order to verify the cure criteria for the disease and propose strategies for its prevention in the identified populations that are at greater risk

Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling the Content of Phenolic Compounds in an Asian Plum (Prunus salicina L.) F1 Population

Consumption of fresh fruit is known to protect against non-communicable diseases due to the fruit's content in compounds with an antioxidant capacity, among them is polyphenols. Asian plums (Prunus salicina L.) accumulate more than 40 phenolic compounds, with a remarkable diversity in their profiles, depending on the variety and environmental conditions. Although candidate genes have been indicated to control this trait, the loci controlling its phenotypic variation have not yet been defined in this species. The aim of this work was to identify the quantitative trait Loci (QTL) controlling the phenolic compounds content in the Asian plum skin and flesh. Using UHPLC-DAD-Orbitrap-MS, we determined that cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside are the main anthocyanins in Asian plums. Other anthocyanins found to a lesser extent were tentatively identified as cyanidin bound to different sugar and procyanidin moieties. Then we phenotyped fruits of 92 and 80 F1 seedlings from the cross (98 Ang) for two harvest seasons. We used HPLC-DAD to quantify single anthocyanin and spectrophotometric techniques to determine the total content of phenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). To determine the phenotype-genotype association of phenolic compounds content, phenotypic values (adjusted by linear mixed-effects models), genotypic data and linkage maps were analyzed with the multiple QTL model (MQM) approach. We found a total of 21 significant trait-marker associations: 13 QTLs segregating from “98.99” and 8 QTLs from “Angeleno.” From these associations, 8 corresponded to phenolic compound content in the flesh and 13 in the skin. Phenotype variance was explained by the detected loci, ranging from 12.4 to 27.1%. The identified loci are related to the content of cyanidin-3-glucoside (LG4), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (LG4), total flavonoids and procyanidins (LG5 and LG8), and minor anthocyanin compounds (LG3 and LG4). These results will help improve the efficiency of breeding programs for the generation of Asian plum varieties with high phenolic compound content.This work has been funded by the National Agency of Research and Development (ANID), Chile: Fondecyt start into Research No. 11150662, Fondecyt Regular No. 1191446, and FONDEF Project IT17I0069 Sweet Pekeetah: un modelo tecnológico-comercial para una nueva variedad chilena de fruta; BB and CS-A were supported by BECAS DE DOCTORADO NACIONAL/2020 No. 21200330 and 21191605, respectively. The work of JS was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through Juan de la Cierva incorporation contract (IJC2018-036623-I

Effectiveness, efficiency, and apical extrusion of 2 rotaries and 2 reciprocating systems in removing filling material during endodontic retreatment. A systematic review

This systematic review investigated the effectiveness, efficiency and apical extrusion of the debris of two rotary and two reciprocating single-file systems used for the removal of filling material from straight root canals. A literature search was per

Comportamiento epidemiológico de la Leishmaniasis cutánea en Boyacá 2012-2015

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a public health problem widely recognized in the literature. Colombia has been considered an endemic country for this vector-borne infection. Treatment represents a challenge because of lack of follow-up, high drug toxicity, and the resistance to antileishmanial drugs. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological behavior of cutaneous leishma- niasis in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, between 2012 and 2015. Materials and methods: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was carried out. The sample was taken from the files of notification of the Colombian epidemiological surveillance system, belonging to patients diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, from 2012 to 2015. Qualitative variables were analyzed by absolute and relative frequencies and the quantitative variables were reported through measures of central tendency. Results: The subjects widely affected were young males from rural areas with forestry jobs or students in those rural areas. The incidence in 2014 was the highest, with 173 cases, followed by 124 in 2013, 2.012 with 102 and, finally, 2015 with 75 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Conclusion: Leishmaniasis is a problem that affects the department of Boyacá, mainly in the western part of the state, where conditions of geographical relief and human development generated the invasion of the niche of the transmitting vector. In addition, poor access to health services makes it difficult to treat and monitor the disease, which is consistent with the world scientific literature.Introducción. La leishmaniasis cutánea constituye un problema en salud pública reconocido en la literatura. Colombia es un país endémico para esta infección transmitida por vectores. El tratamiento clínico representa un desafío por la falta de seguimiento, la toxicidad de los medicamentos y la resistencia a los fármacos antileishmánicos. Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento epidemiológico de la leishmaniasis cutánea, en el departamento de Boyacá – Colombia, durante el año 2.012 y 2.015. Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo de tipo retrospectivo cuya muestra corresponde a las fichas de notificación epidemiológica obligatoria del Sistema de Vigilancia en Salud Pública, pertenecientes a pacientes diagnosticados con leishmaniasis cutánea en el departamento de Boyacá, Colombia del 2.012 al 2.015. Las variables cualitativas se analizaron mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas y las cuantitativas fueron informadas a través de medidas de tendencia central. Resultados. Los sujetos ampliamente afectados fueron jóvenes de sexo masculino, procedentes de áreas rurales con ocupaciones referentes a trabajos forestales o estudiantes de dichas zonas. La incidencia en 2.014 fue la mayor, con un total de 173 casos, seguido de 124 en 2.013, 2.012 con 102 y finalmente 2.015 con 75 afectados por leishmaniasis cutánea. Conclusión. La leishmaniasis afecta fuertemente a Boyacá, principalmente al occidente de esta región, donde condiciones propias del relieve y el desarrollo humano generaron invasión del nicho del vector transmisor de esta patología. Además, el pobre acceso a los servicios de salud dificulta el tratamiento y seguimiento de la enfermedad, lo cual concuerda con lo registrado en la literatura científica mundial. Palabras clave: Leishmania, Monitoreo Epidemiológico, Colombia, Investigación en Servicios de Salud, Salud Pública

Planeación ambiental para la conservación de la biodiversidad en las áreas operativas de Ecopetrol: ventana Montes de María, Colosó, Sucre.

El estudio se realiza en la red hidrológica del municipio de Colosó y está determinada por la microcuenca del arroyo Colosó que tiene una extensión de 101,06 km con nacimiento en el arroyo Pitalcito a 600 msnm y desembocadura sobre el arroyo Pichilín (Alcaldía de Colosó 2008).BogotáPlaneación ambiental para la conservación de la biodiversidad en las áreas operativas de Ecopetro

An Upgraded, Highly Saturated Linkage Map of Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.), and Identification of a New Major Locus Controlling the Flavan-3-ol Composition in Fruits

Japanese plum fruits are rich in phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols, whose contents vary significantly among cultivars. Catechin (C) and epicatechin (EC) are flavan-3-ol monomers described in the fruits of this species and are associated with bitterness, astringency, antioxidant capacity, and susceptibility to enzymatic mesocarp browning. In this study, we aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the content of flavan-3-ol in Japanese plum fruits. We evaluated the content of C and EC in the mesocarp and exocarp of samples from 79 and 64 seedlings of an F1 progeny () in the first and second seasons, respectively. We also constructed improved versions of linkage maps from ‘98–99’ and ‘Angeleno,’ presently called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) after mapping the already available GBS reads to Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. ‘Sanyueli’ v2.0 reference genome. These data allowed for describing a cluster of QTLs in the cultivar, ‘Angeleno,’ associated with the flavan-3-ol composition of mesocarp and exocarp, which explain up to 100% of the C/EC ratio. Additionally, we developed a C/EC metabolic marker, which was mapped between the markers with the highest log of odds (LOD) scores detected by the QTL analysis. The C/EC locus was located in the LG1, at an interval spanning 0.70 cM at 108.30–108.90 cM. Our results suggest the presence of a novel major gene controlling the preferential synthesis of C or EC in the Japanese plum fruits. This study is a significant advance in understanding the regulation of synthesizing compounds associated with fruit quality, postharvest, and human health promotion.This study has been funded by the National Agency of Research and Development (ANID)/the Scholarship Program/BECAS DE DOCTORADO NACIONAL/2020 – 21200330; Fondecyt Regular No. 1191446; Fondecyt Iniciación No. 11150662; Fondecyt Regular No. 1200718; FONDEF Project IT17I0069 Sweet Pekeetah: “un modelo tecnológico- comercial para una nueva variedad chilena de fruta”. JS was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through the Juan de la Cierva incorporation contract (IJC2018-036623-I

Iridoid esters from Valeriana pavonii Poepp. & Endl. as GABAA modulators: Structural insights in their binding mode and structure-activity relationship

Context: Valeriana pavonii Poepp. & Endl. (Caprifoliaceae), is a plant used in traditional medicine as a tranquilizer in Colombia. Valerian extracts have been widely used since ancient times for their sedative and anxiolytic properties; however, the way its active metabolites, including iridoids, interact on their respective targets is not fully understood. Aims: To isolate and identificate active iridoid esters from V. pavonii. Perform in vitro inhibition assays and computational analyses to study their possible interaction on the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor. Methods: Two compounds were obtained from dichloromethane and petroleum ether fractions of V. pavonii, respectively, by chromatographic techniques. The structural elucidation was performed by NMR and spectroscopic analyses. In vitro inhibition assays of the binding of 3H-flunitrazepam (3H-FNZ) for the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor (BDZ-bs of the GABAA receptor) were carried out. Results: Two iridoid esters, hydrine-type valepotriates (compounds 1 and 2), were reported for the first time in V. pavonii. Both iridoids, 1 and 2, inhibited the binding of 3H-FNZ on the BDZ-bs of the GABAA receptor (40% at 300 µM). Docking studies and MMGBSA calculations revealed that these compounds exhibited molecular interactions with crucial residues of the benzodiazepine site, similar to those observed for drugs like flunitrazepam, diazepam, and flumazenil. Conclusions: These findings contribute to understanding the in vivo activity of extracts of Valeriana pavonni on the central nervous system, which showed promising effects, especially as anticonvulsants, sedative-hypnotics, and antidepressants, through the modulation of the GABAergic system by hydrine-type valepotriates and its derivatives

Familial hypercholesterolaemia: A study of 36 cases with a phenotype of homozygous familiar hypercholesterolaemia

La hipercolesterolemia familiar homocigótica (HFHo) se caracteriza por niveles muy elevados de cLDL y por enfermedad aterosclerótica temprana. Aunque la frecuencia es baja (1/300.000), las complicaciones son muy severas y pueden ser evitadas. Encontrar y tratar esta población de manera temprana podría reducir la mortalidad. Se describen 36 casos en Colombia, en donde se calcula que haya entre 160 y 200 casos. Resultados Un total de 36 pacientes con fenotipo sugestivo de HFHo fueron identificados y tratados en un período de observación de cuatro años. La media de edad fue 27 años (24 mujeres). 34 pacientes tuvieron un puntaje según la Red de Clínicas de Lípidos de Holanda (RCLH) mayor de 8 (diagnóstico definitivo) y los restantes 2 tenían puntaje equivalente a diagnóstico probable. Un cuarto de los casos procedían de la costa norte colombiana. En las pruebas genéticas, 14 fueron homocigóticos verdaderos para mutación del gen que codifica para el receptor de LDL (LDLR), 12 heterocigóticos compuestos, 2 heterocigóticos dobles y uno autosómico recesivo (LDLRAP1); 5 pacientes fueron heterocigóticos simples (LDLR) y 2 pacientes no autorizaron la prueba. En los homocigóticos verdaderos, la variante más frecuente encontrada fue la c.11G>A. 14 pacientes cursaron con enfermedad coronaria, 9 con estenosis carotídea, 8 con estenosis aórtica y 2 tuvieron ataques cerebrovasculares (ACV). 34 pacientes recibían estatinas (24 rosuvastatina), 30 recibían ezetimibe, 2 recibían evolocumab y 20 recibían lomitapide (dosis promedio 12,7mg). Ninguno recibió aféresis de cLDL. Los medicamentos, en general, fueron bien tolerados y la reducción promedio de cLDL con la terapia fue de 533,7mg/dl a 245,1mg/dl (54%). Conclusiones Todos los pacientes recibieron tratamiento hipolipemiante y se encontraron alteraciones genéticas diagnósticas en todos aquellos que autorizaron el examen. Los niveles elevados de cLDL conllevan tanto riesgo que el tratamiento debe establecerse aún sin conocer el diagnóstico genético.Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is characterized for very high levels of cLDL and early cardiovascular disease. Although incidence is low (1/300 000), complications are very severe and can be avoided. Finding and treating this population promptly could reduce mortality. We describe 36 cases in Colombia, where 160 to 200 cases are expected. Results 36 patients with phenotype of HoHF were identified and treated in a follow-up of 4 years. The mean age was 27 years (24 women). 34 of them had at least 8 points in the FH Dutch Lipid Clinic Criteria (definitive diagnosis) and two had probable diagnosis. A quarter of the cases came from the Colombian North Coast. In molecular tests, 14 were true homozygous for LDLR, 12 were compound heterozygous for LDLR, 2 double heterozygous and one was autosomal recessive; 5 were heterozygous and 2 patients did not authorized genetic test. In true homozygous subjects, the most frequent variant was c.11G>A. 14 patients had coronary disease, 9 carotid stenosis, 8 aortic stenosis and 2 had stroke. 34 patients were on statins (25 rosuvastatin), 30 were receiving ezetimibe, 2 were receiving a PSCK9 inhibitor (evolocumab) and 20 were on lomitapide with mean doses of 12.7mg. None received lipoprotein apheresis. Medications were very well tolerated. Changes in cLDL after therapy was from 533.7 mg/dL to 245 mg/dL, (54%). Conclusions Treatment was started in all patients. We found genetic mutations in all patients with genetic tests. The high levels of cLDL mean such a high risk that treatment must be started promptly, even without a genetic test

Formas de Hispanidad

Este texto presenta estudios sobre las múltiples formas de hispanidad, desarrollados en los últimos años por destacados investigadores del mundo hispánico que, poco a poco, han estado construyendo un nuevo espacio de investigación para una creciente y activa comunidad científica. En este libro el lector encontrará estudios con enfoques desde la ciencia política, la teoría política, la historia, la filosofía, la sociología, la economía, los estudios literarios y culturales, entre otras perspectivas académicas. Los aportes de cada aproximación teórica y disciplinar están orientados al logro de una meta común: la de reconstruir y reinterpretar la tradición histórica hispánica, desmantelando prejuicios ideológicamente provocados, con el fin de comprender los fenómenos políticos que la caracterizan. Por las mismas razones este libro se sitúa en el debate sobre las formas de escritura de la historia, que no es sólo un debate de teoría de la historia sino también de filosofía de lo histórico