Antioquia Region Research Articles

The role of collective memory in emotional recovery of political violence in Colombia

This article enquires about the role of collective memory events of political violence victims of some organizations in three regions of Colombia, eastern Antioquia, southern Cordoba, and Medellin city on the processes of subjective and emotional transformations. It is made from a psychosocial perspective using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach. Life stories were developed with in-depth interviews to 32 people (26 women and 6 men) of Eastern Antioquia, 13 people in southern Córdoba (10 women and 3 men) and 13 mothers of Candelaria; 4 women life stories of the three regions studied; and 19 focus groups with participants of victims processes of the three regions. All these stories were transcribed and analyzed by the categorical analysis method by matrix. Emotional affectations of the victims and following emotional transformations arising by group, collective and public memory events in individuals and collectives involved in the execution of these actions are presented outlining a Psychosocial view that allows to approach from research and intervention to psychological, social and political phenomenon.

Snakebites and ethnobotany in the Eastern region of Antioquia, Colombia—The traditional use of plants

Ethnopharmacology relevanceEvery year, over 4000 ophidian accidents take place in Colombia. The poor distribution and limited availability of antivenom have perpetuated the use of traditional medicine especially in rural communities. The medical care starts with the affected people receiving treatment by healers or shamans who use medicinal plants prepared in different ways. MethodsThis investigation was undertaken by conducting enquiries to the renowned healers or plants connoisseurs about the ethnobotany of the ophidian accident. In addition, this study included their experience and the time they have used plants in curing bites or stings by poisonous animals. Furthermore, it embraced the plant species used and the amount applied, the ways of their preparation (maceration or decoction), some application techniques (beverage, bathing, poultice, vapors), and duration of treatment. Results29 species of plants were collected and identified. 82.7% of them were native, 27.5% had not been previously reported as antiophidian, and 38% had been employed for this purpose in other geographical areas. Leaves (43.59%) and stems (23.08%) were the components most frequently used in the medicinal preparation, which is usually done by maceration (51.92%) or decoction (25.00%). ConclusionsThroughout this study related to the treatment of snakebite accident, species have been found without any ethnobotanical reports. Moreover, plants being described as new specie and herbs such as Plantago major (Plantaginaceae) used in the treatment of snakebites by many ethnic groups have been found. In addition, herbaceous such as Renealmia alpinia (Zingiberaceae), whose antiophidian activity has been experimentally proven through in vivo and in vitro assays, have been discovered too.

Polaridad predominante en pacientes bipolares tipo I: Estudio en una población aislada con alta prevalencia de trastornos de ánimo

IntroductionRecent studies have shown that the predominant description of polarity has effects upon early detection and the timely beginning of treatment in patients with bipolar affective disorder (BAD). MethodologyCross sectional cut and descriptive study in 101 BAD patients coming from a genetically isolated population from the Colombian Region of Antioquia. ResultsThe study covered a population of 101 patients with type-I BAD diagnosis, out of which 57,4% met the criteria for maniac polarity (MP), 10,1% exhibited depressive polarity (DP) and 25,7% were classified with Indefinite Polarity (IP). In comparison, MP patients have a lower education level and less starting age, including a greater number of single people. The MP group showed the greatest prevalence of suicide and greater use of cannabinoids and cocaine. Within the DP group there was a strong tendency to cigarette and alcohol consumption. With respect to pharmaceutical drugs consumed by the study patients during their lives, antipsychotics were the most widely used group, followed by lithium and anti-convulsivants. There is high percentage of MP patients who have used antidepressants during their lives. ConclusionThe polarity of the first episode of the disease seems to be a valid predictive parameter concerning the polarity of subsequent episodes; therefore, it works indirectly as a valid predictor of the disease's course.

A comparison of age-dependent entrance skin doses in pediatric chest exams with diagnostic reference levels for the Antioquia region of Colombia

In pediatric radiology, radiological protection is of vital importance due to the great radio-sensitivity of body tissues in childhood, which can come to present stochastic effects as children have a longer life expectancy. The objective of this research is to establish diagnostic reference levels in chest exam pediatric patients. The study, carried out in one of the largest pediatric centers of the city of Medellin, the capital of the Department of Antioquia, consisted of the calculation of the Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) for a sample of 814 chest radiographic studies in the anteroposterior (AP) and left lateral (L LAT) projections, and it was compared with the doses obtained with the computational program PCXMC 2.0. For the estimate of the Entrance Skin Dose, data were collected from the exams, including the size of the radiation field, mAs and kVp. The ESD in chest exams for 5-year-old children was the only one that exceeded the international reference levels, giving evidence of the need to optimize the techniques used in this type of study in the institution under evaluation.

Child soldiers in Colombia: Five views

This paper offers explanations of the meanings that push children to illegally armed groups in Colombia from the testimony of 21 demobilized young girls from the region of Antioquia (Colombia). The girls’ answers are placed on a typology of explanations drawn from academic reports, and compared to three samples of attributions of students, teachers and policemen of their same region. The visions “idealizing” and “criminalizing” mobilization are practically marginal in all samples. The dominant vision among the girls is called “self-assertive”. From the rest of the samples, as well as for the experts, the majority of the views are “victimizing”.

Database sample size effect on minimum allele frequency estimation: Database comparison analysis of samples of 4652 and 560 individuals for 22 microsatellites in Colombian population

With the aim of studying the effect of the database size on the frequency estimations of minimum and rare alleles, a comparative analysis was undertaken between two different size samples from a Colombian mestizo population living in Antioquia region. In this work, minimum allele frequencies (calculated using two different methods) were compared in samples with (a) size n = 560, the total number of individuals in our database from Antioquia in 2008, and (b) size n = 4652, the new size of the same database in 2010. When database size was increased, the total number of alleles increased in 17%, going from 257 up to 313 alleles. Although the number of alleles with low frequency became higher for an enlarged database, as it could be expected, the minimum allele frequency decreased and, therefore, the final number of alleles with a frequency below this estimate did not changed significantly.

Genetic Evidence of Hantavirus Infections in Wild Rodents from Northwestern Colombia

This report builds on recent serological evidence for the presence of hantavirus in northern Colombia by providing sequence-specific and phylogenetic data of hantavirus infections in wild rodents. From August 2007 to August 2008, 354 rodent specimens representing four families were collected in the northwestern Antioquia region of Colombia. Antibodies reactive to Sin Nombre virus and Maciel virus antigens by IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were found in 15 of 109 (14%) Cherries cane rats (Zygodontomys cherriei), the only sigmodontinae rodents captured. Lung tissue samples from 11 of the 15 seropositive rodents were RT-polymerase chain reaction positive for hantavirus RNA, using primers for the S and M genome segments. Eight of these amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses indicated RNA of a hantavirus closely related to Calabazo virus, previously found in Panama. This is the first report of the genetic characterization of a hantavirus in rodents in Colombia.

Genotype - phenotype correlation in CADASIL. Cognitive performance in carriers of notch3 mutations R1031C and C455R

Even though cognitive impairment in brain vascular disease has been widely described, there is not much known about specific neuropsychological profiles in affected families suffering from hereditary vascular dementia CADASIL. In Colombia we have reported for the first time two large kindreds suffering from CADASIL in the Antioquia region (Colombia). Those families carry mutations R1031C and C455R in notch 3 gene, respectively. In this study, we have develop a comparative analysis between 16 affected carriers of R1031C (family A) and 7 affected carriers of mutation C455R (family B). This includes a description of cognitive performance in these two groups applying specific protocols evaluating several cognitive functions, depression and everyday functionality. Analysis showed differences in age of onset, evolution time, dementia diagnosis and degree of leukoencephalopaty between R1031C and C455R carriers. Statistically significant differences were found in tests evaluating multiple cognitive domains with higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in R1031C carriers (p<0.05). There were not statistically significant differences in tests evaluating sustained attention, abstract reasoning, semantical and phonological fluence, reading, arithmetic, executive functions, depression scales and functional scales.

DETERMINATION OF PHENOLIC CONTENT AND EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PROPOLIS FROM ANTIOQUIA (COLOMBIA)

Propolis, a natural product collected by honeybee from exudates of plants, is widely used in traditional medicine due to its known therapeutic properties. In this paper, the quality of ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) from different regions of Antioquia (Colombia) is compared through the determination of flavonoids and total phenolic compounds content, and thein vitro antioxidant activity, using three assay systems: radical scavenging activity by means of the DPPH• (1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS•+ (2,2’-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid cation) assays, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Determinations of total phenolic compounds content are found between 22.11 ± 0.54 and 75.22 ± 1.35 mg GAE/g of EEP, and total content of flavonoids between 4.75 ± 0.01 y 34.50 ± 0.07 mg QE/g of EEP. The radical scavenging activity varies from 33.9 ± 9.7 to 324.6 ± 15.0, and from 455.5 ± 7.8 to 1091 ± 17.3 μmol TE/g of EEP (TEAC) in the DPPH and ABTS system, respectively. In the FRAP method, the activity is found between 40.9 ± 13.3 and 338.4 ± 22.4 μmol AAE/g of EEP (AEAC). Results show a positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The antioxidant activity of some propolis indicates its potential role as nutraceutical.

Un diagnóstico sobre cadáveres sin identificar (nn) producto del conflicto armado, registrados e inhumados en cementerios del oriente antioqueño

Resumen:este artículo presenta los resultados de la investigación “Oriente, Memoria Desenterrada, un Camino para la Identificación de Personas Desaparecidas en el Oriente Antioqueño”, donde se presenta un diagnóstico cualitativo y cuantitativo pionero en Colombia, hasta donde se conoce, sobre las condiciones del registro y disposición final de cadáveres no identificados (NNs) en cementerios, con una delimitación temporal de enero de 1985 hasta junio de 2008, con el ánimo de sacar a la luz la situación histórica y social de esta problemática. La exploración apunta finalmente a dar cuenta del fenómeno de la desaparición forzada de personas; propone un conjunto de prácticas adecuadas con cadáveres no identificados, a ser tenidas en cuenta en los despachos parroquiales y en los cementerios. Así mismo aporta elementos para la construcción de una cultura de paz.Abstract:This article shows the results of the research entitled “West, an Unburried Memory, a Road for the Identification of Missing People in the Western Region of Antioquia.” Where it is shown a qualitative and quantitative diagnosis, which is a pioneering diagnosis in Colombia, as far as it is known, about the conditions of the registration and final disposal of unidentified corpses in cemeteries, within a range period of time, from January 1985 to June 2008, in order to bring the historic and social situation of this issue to light.This research aims at giving an account of the phenomenon of the forced disappearance of people, and it proposes a set of adequate practices with unidentified corpses, to be taken into account in parochial offices and in cemeteries. As well, it provides some elements for the construction of a culture of peace.

Association between HFE 187 C>G (H63D) mutation and early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease PSEN-1 839A>C (E280A) mutation

Dear Editor, Alzheimer’s disease (AD, OMIM#104300) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive and behavioral abilities impairment. At least three genes have consistently been associated with familial AD (FAD): Aβ precursor protein (APP, OMIM#104760), presenilin-1 (PSEN-1, OMIM#104311) and presenilin-2 (PSN2, OMIM#600759). Noticeably, a single base pair change from A to C (c.839A>C) at codon 280 (gAa-gCa) which results in a Glu-to-Ala substitution in PSEN-1 causes FAD in a large Colombian population in Antioquia region, northwest Colombia [1]. Given that this community is a genetic isolate population [2], this population is a unique resource for the study of modifier genes. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH, OMIM#235200) is an autosomal recessive disorder of excessive iron uptake and deposition and damage to several organs of the body. HH is most often caused by at least two missense mutations in the gene HFE (chromosome 6p21.3): the c.C187G mutation of exon 2, which results in H63D change at protein translation; and the c.G845A mutation of exon 4, which results in C282Y. Interestingly, brains from AD patients have shown accumulation of iron [3]. Consequently, it is reasonable to think that HFE mutations may be pathological mediator of AD by contributing to brain iron deposition and/or earlier manifestation of dementia symptoms in AD patients. The aim of this study was to examine the allele frequencies of HFE mutations (H63D, C282Y) and their influence on the age of disease onset in a group of patients affected by FAD bearing the E280A mutation in PSEN-1 gene. This investigation was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Antioquia (Colombia), and it was supported by Colciencias grants #1115-041-8113 to CVP. A total of 105 individuals (67 women, 38 men) previously genotyped as E280A in PSEN-1 and 220 (117 women, 103 men, range age 18–65 years) non-demented controls, not relatives of FAD patients, were screened for H63D and C282Y in HFE gene by polymerase chain reaction method using the primers sequences reported elsewhere. Amplification mixtures were digested with Mbo I (exon 2) and Rsa I (exon 4) and subsequently analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Given that the age at onset FAD data (defined as the age at which the patient presented with memory impairment that interferes notably with daily activities) was only available from 75 individuals (52 women, 23 men; mean age of onset at 44.30±5.13; range 33–55 years), they were selected for associative studies between FAD PSN-1 and HH mutations. Tables 1 and 2 show the results of genotype and allelic analysis, respectively. Of notice, the H63D genotype frequencies of healthy normal individuals and FAD patients displayed almost identical distributions for the wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous conditions [χ(2)=0.43, p=0.8061]. This genotype in both cohorts was at Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in the allele frequencies between FAD patients and controls who were wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous for the H63D alteration [χ(1)=0.39, p=0.5319]. In contrast, there were neither homozygote nor heterozygous for the C282Y mutation in the cohort of FAD patients, and one heterozygote was found among the control group. Given that neither the genotype nor the allelic frequencies of Ann Hematol (2008) 87:671–673 DOI 10.1007/s00277-008-0467-y

Estado nutricional de niños palúdicos residentes en El Bagre y Turbo, Antioquia, Colombia, 2004-2005

Malaria and malnutrition coexist within the poorest regions of the world. In the regions of Colombia where malaria is endemic, malnutrition is also a public health problem. The prevalence of malnutrition in children with malaria was determined and several factors associated with malnutrition were identified. A total of 93 children with malaria were included. They resided in the municipalities of Turbo and El Bagre (Antioquia, Colombia) and volunteered for an experimental, study to evaluate the outcome of an antimalarial treatment with a vitamin A supplement and an anti-intestinal parasite treatment administered as a single dose. At enrollment, the nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometry, and a survey questionnaire was administered about economic and social conditions of the family. Prevalence of moderate or severe chronic malnutrition was 22.6%-10.8% of children had moderate or severe global malnutrition and 2.3% had acute malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in males and in children from Turbo. Prevalence of malnutrition was higher than previously reported by the National Health and Demography Survey (2005) and, in Turbo, the prevalence was higher than that reported for the rest of the Urabá region of Antioquia.

Neotropical Meliponini: Paratrigonoides mayri, new genus and species from western Colombia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae) and phylogeny of related genera

Paratrigonoides mayri gen. nov., sp. nov., from the Cauca Valley region of Antioquia, Colombia, is described. It resembles Paratrigona, especially species of the P. lineata group. The new genus is recognized by a combination of bidentate mandibles, the keirotrichiate area of tibia III not depressed on the posterior edge (plesiomorphies), yellow markings flanking the frontal median line and two spots below the lateral ocelli, supraclypeal area partly covering antennal sockets, and by the upper part of the preoccipital ridge lamellate and bordered by a row of robust hairs (autapomorphies). The result of a cladistic analysis suggests Paratrigona +Aparatrigona form the sister-group of Paratrigonoides gen. nov.

The effect of the activating agent and temperature on the porosity development of physically activated coal chars

An experimental work on the influence of temperature and the activating agent on the development of surface area and porosity for activated carbons was carried out. Three coals from different regions of Colombia were activated with CO 2, steam and a CO 2–steam mixture. Coal from the Antioquia Region (La Capotera) was activated with a CO 2–steam mixture at 1073, 1123 and 1173 K and with CO 2 and steam at 1073 K. Other two coals from Antioquia and Cesar regions (La Grande and Borrego) regions were activated with a CO 2–steam mixture at 1073 K and these were compared with the La Capotera char for the same conditions. The content of ash was confirmed to affect the development of surface area: coals with lower amount of ash developed higher specific surface areas. Activation temperature also affected the development of surface area: the use of high temperature produced low surface areas. Results indicate that CO 2–steam produces larger surface areas than CO 2 and steam alone, and reactions with CO 2–steam and CO 2 develop a more uniform porosity than reaction with steam. The pore sizes are larger when steam is used and smaller when CO 2 is used.

La malaria en Colombia, Antioquia y las zonas de Urabá y Bajo Cauca: panorama para interpretar la falla terapéutica antimalárica. Parte 1

Antecedentes y Problema: en 1998-2002 se investigó en Antioquia (Turbo, Zaragoza y El Bagre), la eficacia terapéutica de medicamentos y combinaciones antimaláricos. La interpretación de la respuesta terapéutica (adecuada, fallas precoz y tardía) requiere información adicional para una mejor comprensión. Objetivo: definir un marco de referencia para interpretar los resultados de las evaluaciones de respuesta terapéutica antimalárica, constituido por información sobre el comportamiento de los programas antimaláricos en Colombia y por información demográfica, epidemiológica, climatológica y socioeconómica sobre el departamento de Antioquia, las regiones de Urabá y Bajo Cauca y los municipios de Turbo y El Bagre. Metodología: se usó información oficial secundaria y en menor cantidad, información primaria. Con los datos recogidos se construyeron cuadros y gráficos, y se hicieron cálculos sobre otras variables. Resultados: se describe la malaria (paludismo) en Colombia en 1960-2002. En 2002, de los 43,707 millones de habitantes, 22,403 millones (51,17%) están expuestos (41,88% con bajo riesgo). El P. vivax es la especie predominante (66% de los casos), excepto en la región del Pacífico, donde el P. falciparum causa el 75% de los casos. Hay brotes de malaria cada 2 a 7 años; la más intensa epidemia en la historia conocida ocurrió en 1998. La mortalidad ha pasado de 25 por cien mil en 1983 a 3 por cien mil en 2000. El índice parasitario anual (IPA) ha estado alrededor de 8 por mil expuestos después de 1990, valor que es el cuádruple del existente en 1960-1970. La ineficacia del programa ha sido evidente casi desde su inicio en 1958 y la tendencia de la enfermedad siempre ha sido creciente. El fracaso de los programas gubernamentales antimalaria no tiene origen en fenómenos principalmente biológicos (resistencias del plasmodio a los medicamentos y del anofeles a los insecticidas), ni tampoco en las “condiciones de orden público”. Las principales responsables de la situación malárica en Colombia han sido fallas de origen social: a) las deficiencias financieras de origen gubernamental, b) querer aplicar insecticidas residuales en las viviendas humanas en un país donde ellas, en las zonas palúdicas, con alta frecuencia carecen de paredes y donde los anofelinos tienen hábitos extradomiciliarios, c) se supone que han influido la automedicación inadecuada y la ausencia de diagnóstico oportuno, d) el desinterés de muchos gobernantes y funcionarios y e) después de 1993, con la ley 100 de ese año, la situación ha llegado a su peor nivel. En 1959-2003, se describe la malaria en Antioquia, donde la población expuesta es menos del 20%. El paludismo ha estado siempre presente (IPA ajustado para 1959-2002: mínimo 8, máximo 140,7 y mediana 23,8 por mil expuestos) y desde comienzos del decenio de 1980 hasta ahora su frecuencia se ha incrementado, en 2000-2002 es el doble de la existente hace 30 ó 40 años. Según el IPA bruto máximo (2,66 por mil), Antioquia sería una región de riesgo medio, pero según la mediana del IPA ajustado sería de muy alto riesgo. En 1985- 1999, la razón vivax/falciparum osciló entre 1,6 y 4,7 (promedio: 2,5). La mortalidad y letalidad por malaria han disminuido en forma casi constante desde 1946; en 1985-1989 ocurrieron 154 decesos, de los cuales el 86% fueron por P. falciparum.

Primer Reporte del Virus del Rayado del Banano (BSV) Afectando Plantaciones de Plátano (Musa AAB Simmonds), Caña de azúcar (Sacharum officinarum) y Achira (Canna edulis) en Colombia

<p>En noviembre de 1995, en los Municipios de Andes, Venecia e Hispania (Antioquia), La Tebaida y Montenegro (Quindío), se observaron hojas de plantas del don Dominico-Hartón (Musa AAB Simmonds) con rayas cloróticas y necróticas, síntomas que caracterizan la enfermedad del rayado del banano. En ocasiones las plantas presentaban síntomas de mosaico en el pseudotallo y el engrosamiento y/o rompimiento de la base del mismo. Además, en las cercanías de las plantaciones de plátano de los Municipios de Andes y Montenegro, se observaron respectivamente plantas de caña de azúcar (Saccharum officinarum) con síntomas de clorosis y de achira (Canna edulis) con síntomas de mosaico leve en sus hojas. Muestras de tejido foliar de éstas tres especies de plantas fueron analizadas para detectar la presencia del badnavirus del rayado del banano (BSV) y del virus del mosaico del pepino (CMV), mediante la prueba serológica DAS-ELISA, empleando anticuerpos policlonales comerciales (AGDIA Inc., Elkhart, IN). En el caso del plátano, en la región de Antioquia únicamente se detectó el BSV en el so% de las plantas sintomáticas analizadas, mientras que en el Quindío, el 6oo/o de las plantas estuvieron infectadas simultáneamente por BSV y CMV. El BSV se detectó también en muestras de tejido foliar de caña de azúcar y achira, pero en ningún caso resultaron positivas para el CMV, según la prueba DAS-ELISA. El análisis mediante microscopía electrónica de immunoabsorbancia (ISEM) del tejido foliar de plátano y caña de azúcar infectado, indicó la presencia de partículas baciliformes típicas del BSV de aproximadamente 30 x 110 nm. Hasta donde conocemos, este es el primer reporte sobre la presencia del BSV afectando plátano, caña de azúcar y achira en Colombia y es la primera vez que se reporta a la achira como hospedero de éste virus en el mundo.</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>First Report of Banana Streak Virus (BSV) Infecting Plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds), Sugar cane (Sacharumofficinarum) and Achira (Canna edulis) in Colombia</strong></p><p>Viruslike symptoms of yellow striate mosaic to necrotic streaks were observed on plantain leaves of the cultivar Dominico-Hartón (Musa AAB Simmonds) in the municipalities of Andes, Venecia and Hispania (Antioquia) and Tebaida and Montenegro (Quindío), Colombia. Symptoms sometimes included mosaic and swelling at the base of the pseudostem. Furthermore, in the neighborhood of the plantain crops, at the localities of Andes and Montenegro, it was observed respectively plants of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) with chlorotic foliar tissue and of achira (Canna edulis L.) with symptoms of mild mosaic in their leaves. The foliar tissue of symptomatic plants of these three species, was tested for banana streak virus (BSV ) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV ) by double antibody sandwich enzime-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) with commercial polyclonal antisera (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN). BSV was detected in samples of all plant species. In Plantain, so% of the examined plants from the Antioquia region were infected by BSV, but not CMV; whereas, at the Quindío region, 6o% of the plants were simultaneously infected by both viruses, as detected by DAS- ELISA. CMV was not detected in foliar tissue of either sugarcane or achira plants. Immunosorbent electron microscopy analysis (ISEM) of BSV infected foliar tissue of plantain and sugarcane, showed the presence of viral bacilliform particles measuring ca. 30 x 110 nm, typical of BSV. Up to our knowledge, this is the first report of BSV infecting Musa spp., Saccharum officinarum and Canna edulis in Colombia, and the first time that Canna edulis is reported as a host for this virus.</p>