Epidemiological research as a driver of prevention: the Sibaté study

Although asbestos exposure and risks can be prevented, only five countries in Latin America have banned asbestos, including Colombia. Beginning in 2011, a collaboration between the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Italy and Universidad de los Andes in Colombia was established, bringing together relevant expertise aiming to improve our understanding of the asbestos problem. An important result of this collaboration was a recently published study conducted in Sibaté, Colombia, a municipality where an asbestos-cement facility has operated since 1942. The evidence collected suggests the presence of a mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté. Landfilled zones with an underground layer of friable asbestos were also discovered in the urban area of the municipality. The importance of this type of collaboration can go beyond understanding the impact of asbestos at the local level, which is crucial, and may also contribute in solving unanswered questions of the problem in countries that banned asbestos decades ago

New analyses of bioarchaeological samples from Palo Blanco y Los Talas sites, Berisso city, Buenos Aires province

En los ultimos anos se incremento el uso de colecciones bioarqueologicas institucionalizadas como fuente de informacion dentro de las investigaciones arqueologicas. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos del reanalisis de las muestras osteologicas de los sitios Palo Blanco y Los Talas (Berisso, Buenos Aires), depositadas en la Division Antropologia del Museo de La Plata. Estos sitios fueron excavados por E. Cigliano y M. Vignati a mediados de siglo XX y, producto de sus trabajos, se detectaron entierros humanos, algunos junto con ajuar funerario y otros materiales arqueologicos. El reanalisis consistio principalmente en realizar los primeros fechados radiocarbonicos sobre los esqueletos humanos de ambos sitios, conocer la conformacion de ambas colecciones, llevar a cabo el relevamiento de patologias y discutir las modalidades de entierro. Las dataciones localizan los episodios de inhumacion de ambos sitios en el Holoceno tardio final. Para Palo Blanco se analizaron los dos entierros primarios, y para Los Talas, los restos esqueletales de, al menos, 15 individuos. Las patologias relevadas corresponden a traumatismos, cambios en las zonas de insercion muscular y lesiones de estres metabolico-nutricional. Finalmente, con este trabajo se aportan datos sobre cronologia, practicas mortuorias y patologias para un area con escasos antecedentes bioarqueologicos.In recent years, the use of institutional bioarchaeological collections as sources of information for archaeological research has increased. In this paper, the results of a reanalysis of osteological samples from the Palo Blanco and Los Talas sites (Berisso, Buenos Aires) deposited in the Anthropology Division of the Museo de La Plata are presented. These sites were excavated by E. Cigliano and M. Vignati in the mid-twentieth century; their work uncovered human burials, some of which included burial goods, and other archaeological materials. The reanalysis involved obtaining the first radiocarbon dates from human skeletons at both sites, studying the composition of both collections, and conducting a survey of pathologies. The radiocarbon dates place the inhumation events at both sites in the final late Holocene. Two primary burials were analyzed at Palo Blanco, and the skeletal remains of at least 15 individuals at Los Talas. The relevant pathologies correspond to trauma, changes in the areas of muscular insertion, and lesions of metabolic-nutritional stress. This work contributes information from an area with scarce previous bioarchaeological studies.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

New analyses of bioarchaeological samples from Palo Blanco y Los Talas sites (Berisso city, Buenos Aires province)

En los últimos años se incrementó el uso de colecciones bioarqueológicas institucionalizadas como fuente de información dentro de las investigaciones arqueológicas. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos del reanálisis de las muestras osteológicas de los sitios Palo Blanco y Los Talas (Berisso, Buenos Aires), depositadas en la División Antropología del Museo de La Plata. Estos sitios fueron excavados por E. Cigliano y M. Vignati a mediados de siglo XX y, producto de sus trabajos, se detectaron entierros humanos, algunos junto con ajuar funerario y otros materiales arqueológicos. El reanálisis consistió principalmente en realizar los primeros fechados radiocarbónicos sobre los esqueletos humanos de ambos sitios, conocer la conformación de ambas colecciones, llevar a cabo el relevamiento de patologías y discutir las modalidades de entierro. Las dataciones localizan los episodios de inhumación de ambos sitios en el Holoceno tardío final. Para Palo Blanco se analizaron los dos entierros primarios, y para Los Talas, los restos esqueletales de, al menos, 15 individuos. Las patologías relevadas corresponden a traumatismos, cambios en las zonas de inserción muscular y lesiones de estrés metabólico-nutricional. Finalmente, con este trabajo se aportan datos sobre cronología, prácticas mortuorias y patologías para un área con escasos antecedentes bioarqueológicos.In recent years, the use of institutional bioarchaeological collections as sources of information for archaeological research has increased. In this paper, the results of a reanalysis of osteological samples from the Palo Blanco and Los Talas sites (Berisso, Buenos Aires) deposited in the Anthropology Division of the Museo de La Plata are presented. These sites were excavated by E. Cigliano and M. Vignati in the mid-twentieth century; their work uncovered human burials, some of which included burial goods, and other archaeological materials. The reanalysis involved obtaining the first radiocarbon dates from human skeletons at both sites, studying the composition of both collections, and conducting a survey of pathologies. The radiocarbon dates place the inhumation events at both sites in the final late Holocene. Two primary burials were analyzed at Palo Blanco, and the skeletal remains of at least 15 individuals at Los Talas. The relevant pathologies correspond to trauma, changes in the areas of muscular insertion, and lesions of metabolic-nutritional stress. This work contributes information from an area with scarce previous bioarchaeological studies.Fil: del Papa, Mariano Carlos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Scabuzzo, Clara. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; ArgentinaFil: Ramos Van Raap, María Agustina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Arqueología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Atencio, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Antropología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Bollini, Gabriel Adolfo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Bonilla, Delfina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Antropología; Argentin

Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective

Background: Asbestos consumption in Latin America (LA) amounts to 10% of yearly global production. Little is known about the impact of asbestos exposure in the region. Objective: To discuss scientific and socio-economic issues and conflicts of interest and to summarize epidemiological data of asbestos health effects in LA. Discussion: Recent data on chrysotile strengthened the evidence of its carcinogenicity and showed an excessive risk of lung cancer at cumulative exposure levels as low as 1.5 fibre-years/ml. Technology for substitution is available for all asbestos-containing products and ceasing asbestos production and manufacturing will not result in unemployment and loss of income, except for the mining industry. The flawed arguments used by the industry to maintain its market, both to the public and in courtrooms, strongly relies on the lack of local evidence of the ill effects and on the invisibility of asbestos-related diseases in LA, due to the limited number of studies and the exposed workers’ difficulty accessing health services. The few epidemiological studies available show clear evidence of clusters of mesothelioma in municipalities with a history of asbestos consumption and a forecasted rise in its incidence in Argentina and Brazil for the next decade. In Brazil, non-governmental organizations of asbestos workers were pivotal to counterbalance misinformation and inequities, ending recently in a Supreme Court decision backing an asbestos ban. In parallel, continuous efforts should be made to stimulate the growth of competent and ethical researchers to convey adequate information to the scientific community and to the general public

Guía para la elaboración de trabajos académicos de investigación

Prólogo. Guía de Buenas Prácticas. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Estudios Árabes e Islámicos. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Estudios Franceses. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Estudios Ingleses. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Filología Clásica. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Filología Hispánica. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Historia. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Humanidades. Guía para la elaboración del TFG del Grado en Lingüística y Lenguas Aplicadas.Se trata de un manual de ayuda, que consta de una guía de buenas prácticas y de una guía académica, que fijan unos criterios objetivos para la preparación del TFG por parte del estudiante, que orientan al tutor/director en el desarrollo del trabajo y que sirven de punto de partida a la comisión evaluadora que finalmente tendrá que valorarlo.Este documento es una obra derivada de la Actuación Avalada para la Mejora Docente, Formación del Profesorado y Difusión de Resultados (modalidad A, UCA/R099REC/2013), “Guía Académica y de Buenas Prácticas para la realización de los TFG de los planes de estudio de grado de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras” (Ref. AAA_14_043), financiado por la de la Unidad de Innovación Docente del Vicerrectorado de Docencia y Formación de la Universidad de Cádiz durante el curso académico 2013-2014.Formato PDF. 225 páginas

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Resultados Semilleros de Investigación 2009-2010

La publicación recoge los doce informes finales de investigación presentados por los estudiantes de ocho Semilleros 1 y cuatro Semilleros 2, correspondientes a la convocatoria 2009–2010 y se constituye en el Número 25 de la Serie de Investigaciones en Construcción, si bien este es el primer Número publicado en formato digital que UNIJUS se permite poner a disposición no sólo de la comunidad universitaria, sino también de la sociedad colombiana e internacional, interesada en los temas estudiados por los jóvenes investigadores de la Facultad de Derecho, Ciencias Políticas y Sociales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe