Los vacíos normativos de la prueba de refutación en el sistema penal acusatorio colombiano

The Colombian Criminal process of accusatory tendency, implemented by the Law 906 of 2004, does not expressly define or regulate the refutation test, being mentioned only plainly in the final paragraph of Article 362. -This situation creates inconveniences in the course of criminal proceedings, since obviously the legislative omission on this figure prevents clarity on its proper practice. The present investigation addresses the problem that arises from the lack of legislative development in Colombia of the refutation test, proposing a specific dynamic of regulation of this figure in the national accusatory criminal process, based on the contributions of the international development of the same and taking into account the Constitutional and legal context of Colombia. -When examining international contemporary law (Anglo-Saxon, Central American and South American), regarding the refutation test; the existing gaps in the Colombian legislation on the rebuttal test emerge; hence, it is necessary to formulate criteria for the decree and practice of the refutation test at the trial stage in the Colombian accusatory criminal process. Given the evidence of lack of legal regulation regarding the subject, a proposal for action to the Law 906 of 2004 is formulated, with the purpose that the principle of legality contemplated in article 29 of the political constitution materialize at the trial stage without any disquisition.  El proceso penal colombiano de tendencia acusatoria, implementado por la Ley 906 de 2004, no define ni regula expresamente la prueba de refutación, siendo sólo mencionada llanamente en el inciso final del artículo 362. -Esta situación genera inconvenientes en el curso de las actuaciones penales, pues evidentemente la omisión legislativa sobre esta figura impide que haya claridad sobre su adecuada práctica. La presente investigación aborda el problema que surge ante la carencia de desarrollo legislativo en Colombia de la prueba de refutación, proponiendo una dinámica específica de regulación de esta figura en el proceso penal acusatorio nacional, a partir de los aportes del desarrollo internacional de la misma y teniendo en cuenta el contexto Constitucional y legal de Colombia. -Al examinar el derecho contemporáneo internacional (anglosajón, centroamericano y suramericano), en lo concerniente a la prueba de refutación; emergen los vacíos existentes en la legislación Colombiana sobre la prueba de refutación; de ahí que sea necesario formular criterios para el decreto y práctica de la prueba de refutación en la etapa de juzgamiento en el  proceso penal acusatorio colombiano. Ante la evidencia de falta de regulación legal respecto al tema, se formula una propuesta de adición a la ley 906 de 2004 con el propósito de que el principio de legalidad contemplado en el artículo 29 de la Constitución Política se materialice en la etapa del juicio sin disquisición alguna

Spanish validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder-20 (IGD-20) Test

In recent years, problematic and addictive gaming has been a phenomenon of growing concern worldwide. In light of the increasing awareness about this issue, the latest (fifth) edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as an area in need of more empirical research. The Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test) was developed as a valid and reliable tool to assess IGD. The aim of the present study was to validate the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test, and analyze the different profiles found among a sample of 1,074 Spanish-speaking gamers. A confirmatory factor analysis showed the validity of the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test and its six factor structure (i.e., salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict and relapse). The latent profile analysis (LPA) showed five different gamer classes. The 'disordered gamers’ class comprised 2.6% of the participants. Based on this class, sensitivity and specificity analyses showed an adequate empirical cut-off point of 75 (out of 100). It is concluded that the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test is valid and reliable and can be used in research into IGD among Spanish speaking populations

Bioethics and biosafety in dentistry care for patients with HIV / aids

Introduction: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is not a single disease, but the final stage of HIV infection, characterized by a set of potentially fatal diseases.  Objective: to determine the level of knowledge of dentists on biosafety and the bioethical principle of justice in the treatment of HIV patients at Epifanio Rojas Gil Polyclinic in San Luis municipality, Pinar del Río province. Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. The target group consisted of 25 dentists. The results were taken to a database using descriptive statistics and were organized, summarized and presented in tables of frequency distribution using the percentage method. Results: the knowledge of dentists on bioethical aspects according to their professional training was not satisfactory; knowledge about biosafety standards in the treatment of HIV / aids patients was not enough either. Conclusions: at the end of the study, the knowledge of professionals regarding bioethical and biosafety aspects in the treatment of HIV / aids patients was evaluated as not satisfactory

Bioética y bioseguridad en la atención estomatológica al paciente con VIH/sida

Introduction: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is not a single disease, but the final stage of HIV infection, characterized by a set of potentially fatal diseases. Objective: to determine the level of knowledge of dentists on biosafety and the bioethical principle of justice in the treatment of HIV patients at Epifanio Rojas Gil Polyclinic in San Luis municipality, Pinar del Río province.Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. The target group consisted of 25 dentists. The results were taken to a database using descriptive statistics and were organized, summarized and presented in tables of frequency distribution using the percentage method.Results: the knowledge of dentists on bioethical aspects according to their professional training was not satisfactory; knowledge about biosafety standards in the treatment of HIV / aids patients was not enough either.Conclusions: at the end of the study, the knowledge of professionals regarding bioethical and biosafety aspects in the treatment of HIV / aids patients was evaluated as not satisfactory.Introducción: el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida no es una sola enfermedad, sino la etapa final de la infección por VIH, caracterizada por un conjunto de enfermedades potencialmente fatales.Objetivo: determinar el nivel de conocimientos de estomatólogos sobre bioseguridad y el principio bioético de justicia en el tratamiento a pacientes con VIH, en el Policlínico Universitario Epifanio Rojas Gil, en el municipio San Luis, provincia de Pinar del Río.Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal; el universo estuvo constituido por 25 estomatólogos. Los resultados obtenidos fueron llevados a una base de datos utilizando la estadística descriptiva y fueron organizados, resumidos y presentados en tablas de distribución de frecuencias aplicando el método porcentual.Resultados: los conocimientos de los estomatólogos sobre aspectos bioéticos según su formación profesional no eran satisfactorios; tampoco fueron suficientes los conocimientos sobre normas de bioseguridad en el tratamiento del paciente con VIH/sida.Conclusiones: al finalizar el estudio se evaluó como no adecuados los conocimientos de los profesionales sobre aspectos bioéticos y de bioseguridad en el tratamiento del paciente con VIH/sida

An integrated machine-learning model to predict nucleosome architecture

We demonstrate that nucleosomes placed in the gene body can be accurately located from signal decay theory assuming two emitters located at the beginning and at the end of genes. These generated wave signals can be in phase (leading to well defined nucleosome arrays) or in antiphase (leading to fuzzy nucleosome architectures). We found that the first (+1) and the last (-last) nucleosomes are contiguous to regions signaled by transcription factor binding sites and unusual DNA physical properties that hinder nucleosome wrapping. Based on these analyses, we developed a method that combines Machine Learning and signal transmission theory able to predict the basal locations of the nucleosomes with an accuracy similar to that of experimental MNase-seq based methods. Graphical Abstrac

Half a century of newborn screening in Spain: Evolution of ethical, legal and social issues (ELSIs). Part III, social issues

[ES] Las bases para la toma de decisiones acerca del desarrollo de los programas de cribado de Salud Pública no son exclusivamente médicas, sino también sociales. En esta parte III del artículo se contemplan los actores que intervienen en la gobernanza de los programas, cómo son las autoridades sanitarias, las sociedades científicas y profesionales, así como las familias y su movimiento asociativo. En primer lugar, se analiza el papel de las instituciones/autoridades sanitarias en el desarrollo de los programas y en la evolución del modelo para la toma de decisiones, hasta el actual basado en la evidencia, así como en la elaboración de una opinión experta, imparcial y transparente en política sanitaria y su coordinación en el marco del Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). Y, de acuerdo con dicha evidencia y con el consenso, las instituciones/autoridades sanitarias han tratado de conseguir un abordaje más homogéneo y conforme a criterios de calidad del programa de cribado neonatal en todo el territorio. A continuación, se aborda el papel de las sociedades científicas y profesionales, especialmente de la Sociedad Española de Química Clínica (actualmente Sociedad Española de Medicina de Laboratorio (SEQCML), a través de la Comisión de Errores Congénitos del Metabolismo, y de la Asociación Española de Cribado Neonatal (AECNE), que desde 1985 y durante 33 años recogieron los datos de actividad de los centros de cribado y establecieron un foro de debate, intercambio de conocimientos y colaboración entre ellos y con las autoridades sanitarias. De ellas, destaca el importante papel de la Asociación Española de Errores Congénitos del Metabolismo (AECOM) desde 1999 en el diagnóstico, seguimiento y tratamiento de los pacientes. Finalmente, se contempla el papel de las familias y los aspectos psicosociales del programa, así como la evolución del movimiento asociativo, con especial mención a la fundación en 1990 de la Federación Española de PKU y otros trastornos (FAEPKU) (que pasó después a llamarse la Federación Española de Enfermedades Metabólicas Hereditarias) y en 1999 de la Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras (FEDER). Estas asociaciones han contribuido notablemente al empoderamiento de los pacientes, a apoyar la investigación y la formación y a establecer una red de colaboración y soporte para los pacientes y sus familias. Y aunque están en contacto y colaboran con las autoridades sanitarias, hasta el momento no han participado en la elaboración de decisiones y en la gobernanza de los programas. El espíritu de superación y mejora ha marcado la evolución de los programas durante este medio siglo al incluir el desarrollo de sus aspectos éticos, legales y sociales. Se avecinan desafíos tecnológicos importantes y habrá que saber utilizarlos con eficiencia, proporcionalidad y justicia en el mejor interés del niño y, por extensión, de la familia y de la sociedad. [EN] Decision making for the development of newborn screening programs is based on not only medical but also social concerns and involves different stakeholders. Part III of the article focuses on their role in the governance of the programs. First of all, we consider the proactive role that health authorities has played in the evolution to an evidentiary model of policy development currently based on evidence, just as in the preparation of an expert, impartial and transparent opinion on health policy and its coordination with the national health system. And, in accordance with this evidence and with the consensus, health autorities following quality criteria have made an attempt to achieve a more homogeneous approach of the neonatal screening program throughout the territory. Secondly, we address the role of several scientific and professional societies in newborn screening. Among them, it deserves to be mentioned the Spanish Society for Clinical Chemistry, currently Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML), and its Commission of inborn errors of metabolism and the Spanish Society for Newborn Screening (AECNE), which since 1985 and for thirty three years collected the activity of newborn screening centers and established a forum for debate, sharing of knowledge and cooperation among screening centers and with health authorities. Since 1999, the Spanish Society for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (AECOM) exercises an important activity in the field of diagnosis treatment and follow up of patients. Finally, we consider the role of families and the psychosocial aspects of the programme, and the associative activity of patient organizations. In 1990 the Spanish federation of PKU and other disorders (FAEPKU) was found, renamed currently as The Spanish Federation of Inherited Metabolic Diseases; together with the Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases (FEDER), found in 1999, they both have clearly contributed to the patient’s empowerment, supporting research and education and establishing a network of cooperation and support for patients and their families. Patient organizations collaborate with health authorities but they have not participated in policy decision making yet. During this half century, the evolution of newborn screening programs have been characterized for a spirit of improvement, by including the development of ethical, legal and social issues. Important technological challenges lie ahead and it will be necessary to know how to use them efficiently, proportionally and fairly in the best interest of newborns and by extension of their family and society.S

Half a century of newborn screening in Spain: Evolution of ethical, legal and social issues (ELSIs). Part II, legal system

[ES] El cribado neonatal es una actuación sanitaria regulada específicamente en nuestra legislación. El ordenamiento jurídico establece que el cribado sanitario es una actuación de salud pública, enfocada a la prevención de la salud de la sociedad en general y, a la vez, una prestación sanitaria, es decir, un derecho de los individuos, cuyo interés constituye el eje de la regulación. En su diseño e implantación están involucradas las autoridades sanitarias estatales y autonómicas. La eficacia, eficiencia y calidad son los criterios para valorar su idoneidad, y la adopción de medidas que garanticen los derechos de los participantes, la trasparencia y la voluntariedad, son imprescindibles para su aprobación. Estas exigencias generales se refuerzan cuando el cribado se dirige a la población pediátrica y cuando se trata de cribados genéticos, caso en que está prevista la revisión por parte de un comité de ética como requisito previo a su autorización. [EN] Neonatal screening is a health action specifically regulated in our legislation. The legal system establishes that health screening is a public health action, focused on the prevention of health of the community in general and, at the same time, a health service, that is, a right of individuals, whose interest is the focus of the regulation. In its design and implementation are involved the State and Regional Health Authorities. The effectiveness, efficiency and quality, are the criteria for assessing its suitability, and the adoption of measures to ensure the rights of participants, transparency and voluntariness, are essential for approval. These general requirements are reinforced when the screening is aimed at the paediatric population and when it comes to genetic screening, in which case a review by an ethics committee is foreseen as a prerequisite for authorization.Grupo de Investigación Cátedra de Derecho y Genoma Humano. Financiado por el Departamento de Educación del Gobierno Vasco (Grupos de Investigación del Sistema Universitario Vasco. Referencia número IT1066-16).N

Efficient error correction for next-generation sequencing of viral amplicons

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Next-generation sequencing allows the analysis of an unprecedented number of viral sequence variants from infected patients, presenting a novel opportunity for understanding virus evolution, drug resistance and immune escape. However, sequencing in bulk is error prone. Thus, the generated data require error identification and correction. Most error-correction methods to date are not optimized for amplicon analysis and assume that the error rate is randomly distributed. Recent quality assessment of amplicon sequences obtained using 454-sequencing showed that the error rate is strongly linked to the presence and size of homopolymers, position in the sequence and length of the amplicon. All these parameters are strongly sequence specific and should be incorporated into the calibration of error-correction algorithms designed for amplicon sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this paper, we present two new efficient error correction algorithms optimized for viral amplicons: (i) k-mer-based error correction (KEC) and (ii) empirical frequency threshold (ET). Both were compared to a previously published clustering algorithm (SHORAH), in order to evaluate their relative performance on 24 experimental datasets obtained by 454-sequencing of amplicons with known sequences. All three algorithms show similar accuracy in finding true haplotypes. However, KEC and ET were significantly more efficient than SHORAH in removing false haplotypes and estimating the frequency of true ones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both algorithms, KEC and ET, are highly suitable for rapid recovery of error-free haplotypes obtained by 454-sequencing of amplicons from heterogeneous viruses.</p> <p>The implementations of the algorithms and data sets used for their testing are available at: <url>http://alan.cs.gsu.edu/NGS/?q=content/pyrosequencing-error-correction-algorithm</url></p