La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Departamento del Cesar y Guajira

En el escenario colombiano, la complejidad de la violencia ha dejado una impronta profunda, moldeada por una amalgama de elementos, relatos y dinámicas sociales que han emergido como resultado de los estragos de los conflictos y disturbios en el territorio. Con el transcurso del tiempo, esta problemática ha perdurado, generando diversos enfoques desde la perspectiva psicológica para abordar la recuperación y proporcionar apoyo a aquellos afectados por sus secuelas. Esta evaluación explora las narrativas, discursos, procesos subjetivos y colectivos de Luz, una mujer que ha experimentado los impactos de la violencia armada en Colombia. Se concentra en preguntas estratégicas, circulares y reflexivas que indagan en aspectos fundamentales relacionados con el pensamiento, subjetividad, narrativa e historia de Luz, la figura central de esta historia. Además, se examina un caso representativo que conmocionó a la nación, abarcando violencia, desapariciones, decesos y violaciones de los derechos humanos. A partir de este caso, se diseñan estrategias desde una perspectiva psicosocial con el propósito de impulsar el empoderamiento, la resiliencia y el respaldo a las víctimas. Seguidamente, se presenta un análisis minucioso que aborda las percepciones de los territorios, las memorias colectivas emergentes y las estrategias de afrontamiento desplegadas en el contexto de la violencia. Este informe visualiza de manera gráfica el progreso académico y los planteamientos desarrollados durante el proceso. Finalmente, las conclusiones ofrecen una reflexión sobre la relevancia de las etapas exploradas en el curso, subrayando la importancia de abordar la violencia desde una perspectiva integral y psicosocial.In the Colombian context, the complexity of violence has left a profound imprint, shaped by a combination of elements, narratives, and social dynamics that have emerged as a result of the ravages of conflicts and disturbances in the territory. Over time, this issue has persisted, generating various approaches from a psychological perspective to address recovery and provide support to those affected by its aftermath. This evaluation explores the narratives, discourses, subjective and collective processes of Luz, a woman who has experienced the impacts of armed violence in Colombia. It focuses on strategic, circular, and reflective questions that delve into fundamental aspects related to Luz's thoughts, subjectivity, narrative, and history—the central figure in this story. Additionally, a representative case that shook the nation is examined, encompassing violence, disappearances, deaths, and human rights violations. From this case, strategies are designed from a psychosocial perspective to promote empowerment, resilience, and support for victims. Subsequently, a detailed analysis addresses perception of territories, emerging collective memories, and coping strategies deployed in the context of violence. This report graphically visualizes academic progress and approaches developed during the process. Finally, the conclusions offer a reflection on the relevance of the stages explored in the course, emphasizing the importance of addressing violence from a comprehensive and psychosocial perspective

Characterization of the Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein SsbB Encoded in the Gonoccocal Genetic Island

Background: Most strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae carry a Gonococcal Genetic Island which encodes a type IV secretion system involved in the secretion of ssDNA. We characterize the GGI-encoded ssDNA binding protein, SsbB. Close homologs of SsbB are located within a conserved genetic cluster found in genetic islands of different proteobacteria. This cluster encodes DNA-processing enzymes such as the ParA and ParB partitioning proteins, the TopB topoisomerase, and four conserved hypothetical proteins. The SsbB homologs found in these clusters form a family separated from other ssDNA binding proteins. Methodology/Principal Findings: In contrast to most other SSBs, SsbB did not complement the Escherichia coli ssb deletion mutant. Purified SsbB forms a stable tetramer. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and fluorescence titration assays, as well as atomic force microscopy demonstrate that SsbB binds ssDNA specifically with high affinity. SsbB binds single-stranded DNA with minimal binding frames for one or two SsbB tetramers of 15 and 70 nucleotides. The binding mode was independent of increasing Mg 2+ or NaCl concentrations. No role of SsbB in ssDNA secretion or DNA uptake could be identified, but SsbB strongly stimulated Topoisomerase I activity

Strengtheningtheunderstanding and production of texts, use of research as a pedagogicalstrategy, withsupport in information and communicationtechnologies

Este artículo presenta resultados derivados de la investigación acerca del desarrollo de la comprensión lectora y la producción escrita, comocompetencias necesarias en la formación integral de los estudiantes, no sólo del área del lenguaje, sino en todo su quehacer comunicativo e intelectual, en favor de un aprendizaje significativo. El propósito es generar procesos para fortalecer una práctica pedagógica que promuevael desarrollo de aprendizajes basados en la investigación como estrategia pedagógica y la incorporación de los avances de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Se desarrolló la investigación con estudiantes de la Institución Educativa Departamental Agropecuaria Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, ubicada en Magdalena, Pivijay, Colombia. Se generaron orientaciones para la integración curricular de la investigación y las tecnologías de información y comunicación, para orientar innovaciones necesarias para redefinir las estrategias que adoptan los docentes en su quehacer pedagógicoThisarticlepresentsresultsderivedfromresearchonthedevelopment of readingcomprehension and writtenproduction, as necessarycompetences in the integral formation of students, notonly in thearea of language, but in alltheircommunicative and intellectualwork, in favor of a significantlearningThepurposeistogenerateprocessestostrengthen a pedagogicalpracticethatpromotesthedevelopment of learningbasedonresearch as a pedagogicalstrategy and theincorporation of advances in information and communicationtechnologies.TheresearchwasdevelopedwithstudentsfromtheAgriculturalDepartmentalInstitution of Our Lady of Mercy, located in Magdalena, Pivijay, Colombia. Guidelinesforthe curricular integration of research and information and communicationtechnologiesweregeneratedto guide innovationsnecessaryto redefine thestrategiesadoptedbyteachers in theirpedagogicalwor

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca