Colombian Populations Research Articles

Unveiling ancestral threads: Exploring CCR5 ∆32 mutation frequencies in Colombian populations for HIV/AIDS therapeutics

AIDS remains a significant global health challenge since its emergence in 1981, with millions of deaths and new cases every year. The CCR5 ∆32 genetic deletion confers immunity to HIV infection by altering a cell membrane protein crucial for viral entry. Stem cell transplants from homozygous carriers of this mutation to HIV-infected individuals have resulted in viral load reduction and disease remission, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between genetic ancestry and the frequency of the CCR5 ∆32 mutation in Colombian populations, exploring the feasibility of targeted donor searches based on ancestry composition. Utilizing genomic data from the CÓDIGO-Colombia consortium, comprising 532 individuals, the study assessed the presence of the CCR5 ∆32 mutation and examined if the population was on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Individuals were stratified into clusters based on African, American, and European ancestry percentages, with logistic regression analysis performed to evaluate the association between ancestry and mutation frequency. Additionally, global genomic databases were utilized to visualize the worldwide distribution of the mutation. The findings revealed a significant positive association between European ancestry and the CCR5 ∆32 mutation frequency, underscoring its relevance in donor selection. African and American ancestry showed negative but non-significant associations with CCR5 ∆32 frequency, which may be attributed to the study's limitations. These results emphasize the potential importance of considering ancestry in donor selection strategies, reveal the scarcity of potential donors in Colombia, and underscore the need to consider donors from other populations with mainly European ancestry if the CCR5 ∆32 stem cell transplant becomes a routine treatment for HIV/AIDS in Colombia.

Genomic insights into the antimicrobial resistance and virulence of Helicobacter pylori isolates from gastritis patients in Pereira, Colombia

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori infects the stomach and/or small intestines in more than half of the human population. Infection with H. pylori is the most common cause of chronic gastritis, which can lead to more severe gastroduodenal pathologies such as peptic ulcer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. H. pylori infection is particularly concerning in Colombia in South America, where > 80% of the population is estimated to be infected with H. pylori and the rate of stomach cancer is one of the highest in the continent.ResultsWe compared the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and short-read genome sequences of five H. pylori isolates obtained from patients diagnosed with gastritis of varying severity (chronic gastritis, antral erosive gastritis, superficial gastritis) in Pereira, Colombia sampled in 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed the isolates to be resistant to at least one of the five antimicrobials tested: four isolates were resistant to metronidazole, two to clarithromycin, two to levofloxacin, and one to rifampin. All isolates were susceptible to tetracycline and amoxicillin. Comparative genome analyses revealed the presence of genes associated with efflux pump, restriction modification systems, phages and insertion sequences, and virulence genes including the cytotoxin genes cagA and vacA. The five genomes represent three novel sequence types. In the context of the Colombian and global populations, the five H. pylori isolates from Pereira were phylogenetically distant to each other but were closely related to other lineages circulating in the country.ConclusionsH. pylori from gastritis of different severity varied in their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and genome content. This knowledge will be useful in implementing appropriate eradication treatment regimens for specific types of gastritis. Understanding the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in H. pylori across the geographical landscape is critical in informing health policies for effective disease prevention and management that is most effective at local and country-wide scales. This is especially important in Colombia and other South American countries that are poorly represented in global genomic surveillance studies of bacterial pathogens.

Cancer mortality among Colombian and foreign populations over a 15-year period

PurposeWe aimed to compare cancer mortality among foreign- and Colombian populations in Colombia during the period of 2006–2020. MethodsThis retrospective study utilized vital statistics from the Colombian National Department of Statistics (DANE). The dataset included variables such as age group, sex, country of permanent residency, insurance, education level, marital status, ethnicity, and cause of death. The population data to calculate rates was obtained from the Colombian census and the United Nations. Crude and adjusted rates as well as proportional mortality rates were calculated. ResultsA total of 561,932 cancer deaths occurred in Colombia from 2006 to 2020. The foreign population (country of permanent residency different to Colombia) had a lower crude cancer mortality rate (31.1 per 100,000 inhabitants) than the Colombian population (81.9 per 100,000 inhabitants). However, the age-adjusted cancer mortality rate among the foreign population was 253.6 per 100,000, compared to 86.1 per 100,000 among the Colombian population. The proportional cancer mortality was 10.4 % among foreign population compared to 17.4 % among Colombian population. ConclusionsThe proportional cancer mortality shows that the proportion of cancer-related deaths is greater among the Colombian population compared to the immigrant population. However, immigrants in Colombia have a higher age-adjusted cancer mortality rate than Colombians, indicating that immigrants have worse cancer outcomes than the Colombians even though the immigrant population is younger. This is likely due to the frequent barriers that immigrants encounter in accessing health care in Colombia. Future research needs to focus on access to care for the immigrant population by investigating cancer-related risk factors among immigrants and addressing their barriers to cancer prevention and treatment.

An automatic measure for speech intelligibility in dysarthrias-validation across multiple languages and neurological disorders.

Dysarthria, a motor speech disorder caused by muscle weakness or paralysis, severely impacts speech intelligibility and quality of life. The condition is prevalent in motor speech disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), atypical parkinsonism such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Improving intelligibility is not only an outcome that matters to patients but can also play a critical role as an endpoint in clinical research and drug development. This study validates a digital measure for speech intelligibility, the ki: SB-M intelligibility score, across various motor speech disorders and languages following the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) V3 framework. The study used four datasets: healthy controls (HCs) and patients with PD, HD, PSP, and ALS from Czech, Colombian, and German populations. Participants' speech intelligibility was assessed using the ki: SB-M intelligibility score, which is derived from automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. Verification with inter-ASR reliability and temporal consistency, analytical validation with correlations to gold standard clinical dysarthria scores in each disease, and clinical validation with group comparisons between HCs and patients were performed. Verification showed good to excellent inter-rater reliability between ASR systems and fair to good consistency. Analytical validation revealed significant correlations between the SB-M intelligibility score and established clinical measures for speech impairments across all patient groups and languages. Clinical validation demonstrated significant differences in intelligibility scores between pathological groups and healthy controls, indicating the measure's discriminative capability. The ki: SB-M intelligibility score is a reliable, valid, and clinically relevant tool for assessing speech intelligibility in motor speech disorders. It holds promise for improving clinical trials through automated, objective, and scalable assessments. Future studies should explore its utility in monitoring disease progression and therapeutic efficacy as well as add data from further dysarthrias to the validation.

Exploring the relationship between admixture and genetic susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in two Latin American cohorts

Contemporary research on the genomics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often underrepresents admixed populations of diverse genomic ancestries, such as Latin Americans. This study explores the relationship between admixture and genetic associations for ADHD in Colombian and Mexican cohorts. Some 546 participants in two groups, ADHD and Control, were genotyped with Infinium PsychArray®. Global ancestry levels were estimated using overall admixture proportions and principal component analysis, while local ancestry was determined using a method to estimate ancestral components along the genome. Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was conducted to identify significant associations. Differences between Colombia and Mexico were evaluated using appropriate statistical tests. 354 Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) related to some genes and intergenic regions exhibited suggestive significance (p-value < 5*10e−5) in the GWAS. None of the variants revealed genome-wide significance (p-value < 5*10e−8). The study identified a significant relationship between risk SNPs and the European component of admixture, notably observed in the LOC105379109 gene. Despite differences in risk association loci, such as FOXP2, our findings suggest a possible homogeneity in genetic variation’s impact on ADHD between Colombian and Mexican populations. Current reference datasets for ADHD predominantly consist of samples with high European ancestry, underscoring the need for further research to enhance the representation of reference populations and improve the identification of ADHD risk traits in Latin Americans.

Control failure of deltamethrin in Colombian populations of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) is a major pest in stored cereals in Colombia, which causes significant lossesin production. Chemical control is the main tool used in the country, and despite the common use ofinsecticides such as deltamethrin, resistance has been observed in some Colombian populations but isa worldwide problem. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of deltamethrin and thecombination of deltamethrin and piperonyl butoxide in Colombian populations of R. dominica. Failureto control and survival tests showed that the recommended doses on product labels were insufficient toprotect the grain from this pest. Failure control demonstrated that mortality did not exceed 80 percent inthe populations studied. Differences in susceptibility were observed between populations, with El Espinaland Neiva highlighted as less susceptible and Pore as the most sensitive to the action of insecticides.The combination of deltamethrin and piperonyl butoxide reduced insect survival but did not effectivelycontrol it (0–20%). These results suggest that R. dominica may be developing resistance to insecticides,as has been found in other countries. This underscores the importance of conducting toxicological studies and the need to investigate molecules with diverse modes of action, contributing to the strengthening ofchemical management strategies. To achieve effective control, it is necessary to implement IntegratedPest Management (IPM) with a focus on alternative methods to chemical control.

Definition of sensory and instrumental thresholds of acceptability for selection of cassava genotypes with improved boiling properties.

Consumers of boiled cassava in Africa, Latin America and Asia use specific preference criteria to evaluate its cooking quality, in terms of texture, colour and taste. To improve adoption rates of improved cassava varieties intended for consumption after boiling, these preference criteria need to be determined, quantified and integrated as post-harvest quality traits in the target product profile of boiled cassava, so that breeding programs may screen candidate varieties based on both agronomic traits and consumer preference traits. Surveys of various end-user groups identified seven priority quality attributes of boiled cassava covering root preparation, visual aspect, taste and texture. Three populations of contrasted cassava genotypes, from good-cooking to bad-cooking, in three countries (Uganda, Benin, Colombia) were then characterized according to these quality attributes by sensory quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and by standard instrumental methods. Consumers' preferences of the texture attributes mealiness and hardness were also determined. By analysis of correlations, the consumers' preferences scores were translated into thresholds of acceptability in terms of QDA scores, then in terms of instrumental measurements (water absorption during boiling and texture analysis). The thresholds of acceptability were used to identify among the Colombian and Benin populations promising genotypes for boiled cassava quality. This work demonstrates the steps of determining priority quality attributes for boiled cassava and establishing their corresponding quantitative thresholds of acceptability. The information can then be included in boiled cassava target product profiles used by cassava breeders, for better selection and adoption rates of new varieties. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Disabled life expectancy among older Colombian men and women.

Colombia's population is rapidly aging and older adults are living longer, however, we have limited information on the level of disability and number of years older Colombians spend with disability. We estimated age-and-gender specific ADL, IADL and mobility disability prevalence and disabled life expectancy (DLE) and to examined gender differences. Life tables came from the Colombian vital statistics and disability prevalence data came from the cross-sectional 2015 Colombia National Survey of Health, Well-being, and Aging. Disabled life expectancy (DLE) was calculated using Sullivan's method. About one-third to one-half of remaining years will be spent with IADL or mobility disability. The remaining years of life spent with ADL was relatively low at younger ages, but by age 85, about half of remaining life will be spent with disability. Compared to men, women had higher levels of disability and are estimated to spend more years with disability. Gender differences in ADL did not emerge until ages 70 and older. Older Colombians, in particularly women, are estimated to live a significant proportion of their life with disability, particularly IADL and mobility disability. High levels of disability are concerning because the country lacks adequate infrastructure and has limited options for long term care.

Application of the Investigator Argus X-12 QS Kit and the Famlinkx Software for Solving Complex Kinship Forensic Genetics Cases in Colombia: Case Report

X-chromosome short tandem repeats (X-STRs) genotyping is a powerful ¬tool in forensic genetics for resolving intricate kinship cases due to its distinctive inheritance pattern. It proves particularly valuable in scenarios where the application of autosomal (A-STR) and Y-chromosomal STR (Y-STR) markers falls short in addressing such cases, especially those involving complex situations and kinship analyses encompassing extensive and incomplete pedigrees. The recent advancement and implementation of the Argus X-12 QS kit along with the FamilinkX software for X-STR analysis have facilitated the resolution of forensic cases that were formerly inconclusive or not received by the laboratory due to their high complexity. This article delineates seven intricate cases of kinship and identification conducted at the Forensic Genetics Laboratory of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Bogotá, Colombia, in instances where autosomal STRs yielded non-conclusive or weak likelihood ratio (LR) values, the combination of the Argus X-12 QS kit and the FamilinkX software proved instrumental in elucidating and enhancing LR values, thereby leading to conclusive outcomes. The article details a case involving the confirmation of the identity of a body retrieved from water, which was subsequently returned to the institute by its relatives for identification. It also encompasses cases involving maternal half-siblings, complex pedigrees with paternal half-aunts, and others. In each scenario, the total LR was estimated by combining the LR of autosomal STRs (LR AS-STR) with the LR of X-STRs (LR X-STR), utilizing the population frequency database specific to Colombia. Additionally, the LRs of X-STRs obtained using population frequency data from Colombia were compared with those from Mexico. The data derived from both the Mexican and Colombian populations exhibited a high degree of similarity. The collective LR values substantiate the efficacy of X-STR markers, particularly in resolving cases of maternal half-siblings. The analysis underscores the robust informativeness of the 12 X-STR loci examined in the context of forensic testing

Social determinants of health and medical factors on brain health in Colombian underserved populations

AbstractBackgroundGlobal initiatives call for further understanding of the impact of inequity on aging across underserved populations. Previous research in LMICs presents limitations in assessing combined sources of inequity and outcomes (i.e., cognition and functionality). In this study, we assessed how social determinants of health (SDH), cardiometabolic factors (CMF), and other medical/social factors predict cognition and functionality in an aging Colombian population.MethodWe ran a cross‐sectional study that combined theory‐ (structural equation models and population attributable risk scores), and data‐driven (machine learning) approaches in a population‐based study (N = 23,694; M = 69.8 years) to assess the best predictors of cognition and functionality.ResultWe found that a combination of SDH and CMF accurately predicted cognition and functionality, although SDH was the stronger predictor. Cognition was predicted with the highest accuracy by SDH, followed by demographics, CMF, and other factors. A combination of SDH, age, CMF, and additional physical/psychological factors were the best predictors of functional status.ConclusionResults highlight the role of inequity in predicting brain health and advancing solutions to reduce the cognitive and functional decline in LMICs.

Unveiling the Venom Composition of the Colombian Coral Snakes Micrurus helleri, M. medemi, and M. sangilensis.

Little is known of the biochemical composition and functional features of the venoms of poorly known Colombian coral snakes. Here, we provide a preliminary characterization of the venom of two Colombian endemic coral snake species, Micrurus medemi and M. sangilensis, as well as Colombian populations of M. helleri. Electrophoresis and RP-HPLC techniques were used to identify venom components, and assays were conducted to detect enzyme activities, including phospholipase A2, hyaluronidase, and protease activities. The median lethal dose was determined using murine models. Cytotoxic activities in primary cultures from hippocampal neurons and cancer cell lines were evaluated. The venom profiles revealed similarities in electrophoretic separation among proteins under 20 kDa. The differences in chromatographic profiles were significant, mainly between the fractions containing medium-/large-sized and hydrophobic proteins; this was corroborated by a proteomic analysis which showed the expected composition of neurotoxins from the PLA2 (~38%) and 3FTx (~17%) families; however, a considerable quantity of metalloproteinases (~12%) was detected. PLA2 activity and protease activity were higher in M. helleri venom according to qualitative and quantitative assays. M. medemi venom had the highest lethality. All venoms decreased cell viability when tested on tumoral cell cultures, and M. helleri venom had the highest activity in neuronal primary culture. These preliminary studies shed light on the venoms of understudied coral snakes and broaden the range of sources that could be used for subsequent investigations of components with applications to specific diseases. Our findings also have implications for the clinical manifestations of snake envenoming and improvements in its medical management.

High Mitochondrial Haplotype Diversity Found in Three Pre-Hispanic Groups from Colombia.

The analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable region (HVR) sequence data from ancient human remains provides valuable insights into the genetic structure and population dynamics of ancient populations. mtDNA is particularly useful in studying ancient populations, because it is maternally inherited and has a higher mutation rate compared to nuclear DNA. To determine the genetic structure of three Colombian pre-Hispanic populations and compare them with current populations, we determined the haplotypes from human bone remains by sequencing several mitochondrial DNA segments. A wide variety of mitochondrial polymorphisms were obtained from 33 samples. Our results support a high population heterogeneity among pre-Hispanic populations in Colombia.

Pharmacogenetic analysis of inter-ethnic variability in the uptake transporter SLCO1B1 gene in Colombian, Mozambican, and Portuguese populations

BackgroundStatin-induced myopathy is reported to be associated with the solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism, c.521 T > C. There is no epidemiologic data on this gene polymorphism in several countries. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the genotype and allele frequencies of the gene variant in three countries.MethodsThis study involved healthy individuals from Colombia, Mozambique, and Portugal. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples using the Qiamp DNA Extraction Kit (Qiagen). The isolated DNA was genotyped using novel Polymerase Chain Reaction—Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Microstat and GraphPad QuickCal software were used for the Chi-square test and the evaluation of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium respectively.ResultsA total of 181 individuals’ blood samples were analyzed. Overall, the TT (74.0%) genotype was the highest and the CC (7.8%) was the lowest. Country wise genotypic frequencies were Colombia 47(70.2%) TT, 12(17.9%) TC and 8(11.9%) CC; Mozambique 47(88.7%) TT, 5(9.4%) TC, and 1(1.9%) CC; and Portugal 40(65.6%) TT, 16(26.2%) TC, and 5(8.2%) CC. The reference (T) allele was highest among Mozambicans (93.4%) compared to Colombians (79.1%) and Portuguese (78.7%). Mozambicans showed statistically significant genotypic and allelic frequency differences compared to Colombians (p < 0.01) and Portuguese (p < 0.01).ConclusionsOverall and country-wise, CC genotype was less frequent and it is relatively high for Colombians and Portuguese populations. This finding may imply statins risk–benefit variability associated with CC genotype among these populations that needs further understanding.

Dental Anthropology Research Conducted at the School of Dentistry of the Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia) between 2002 and 2021: A Literature Review

In the last 20 years, the Dental Anthropology and Forensic Dentistry Research Group at the Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia) has integrated knowledge from anthropology, dentistry, biology, paleontology and paleopathology to characterize the dental morphology of living populations in southwestern Colombia. This has been done by studying the frequency and variability of dental morphological features in populations with different ancestries, including Euro-descendants, Afro-descendants and Native Americans. The group has employed strategies such as formative research and the creation of cooperative research networks to publish and disseminate their findings on dental morphology mainly within the Colombian dental clinical context. However, these studies have been limited in their impact on the international anthropological academic community due to a lack of publication in English and refusals from some specialized journals to publish research on contemporary Colombian populations. To address this issue, this article aims to provide a literature review of the research on dental anthropology carried out at the School of Dentistry of the Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia) between 2002 and 2021. Despite the high amount of available information, the results of this scientific research have been difficult to make visible, search, access, and recover.

Micronuclei frequency and exposure to chemical mixtures in three Colombian mining populations

The Colombian mining industry has witnessed significant growth. Depending on the scale and mineral extracted, complex chemical mixtures are generated, impacting the health of occupationally exposed populations and communities near mining projects. Increasing evidence suggests that chromosomal instability (CIN) is an important link between the development of certain diseases and exposure to complex mixtures. To better understand the effects of exposure to complex mixtures we performed a biomonitoring study on 407 healthy individuals from four areas: three located in municipalities exploiting different-scale mining systems and a reference area with no mining activity. Large, medium, and small-scale mining systems were analyzed in Montelibano (Córdoba), artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) in Nechí (Antioquia), and a closed mining system in Aranzazu (Caldas). The reference area with no mining activity was established in Montería (Córdoba). ICP-MS measured multi-elemental exposure in hair, and CIN was evaluated using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique (MNBN). Exposure to mixtures of chemical elements was comparable in workers and residents of the mining areas but significantly higher compared to reference individuals. In Montelibano, increased MNBN frequencies were associated with combined exposure to Se, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Mg. This distinct pattern significantly differed from other areas. Specifically, in Nechí, Cr, Ni, Hg, Se, and Mg emerged as the primary contributors to elevated frequencies of MNBN. In contrast, a combination of Hg and Ni played a role in increasing MNBN in Aranzazu. Interestingly, Se consistently correlated with increased MNBN frequencies across all active mining areas. Chemical elements in Montelibano exhibit a broader range compared to other mining zones, reflecting the characteristics of the high-impact and large-scale mining in the area. This research provides valuable insights into the effects of exposure to chemical mixtures, underscoring the importance of employing this approach in the risk assessment of communities, especially those from residential areas.

Canine circovirus genomic characterization in dogs with and without diarrheal syndrome in Medellín, Colombia.

Canine circovirus (CanineCV) is an emerging agent described for the first time in 2011, it infects domestic and wild canids, mainly associated with gastrointestinal signs; however, it has also been reported in samples obtained from animals without clinical signs, so its pathogenesis and epidemiology are still poorly understood. In Colombia, the CanineCV was first reported in 2020 from CPV-2 positive dogs. In the present work, CanineCV was detected in 30% of fecal samples obtained from dogs with or without diarrhea, in the city of Medellín, Colombia. No coinfection with CPV-2 was found. The highest number of positive samples was found in the subgroup of animals with diarrhea. Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses confirmed the separation of the CanineCV genomes into five different clades with a European origin of the Colombian viruses and at least two different introductions of the CanineCV into the country. Our results highlight the importance of the CanineCV in Colombian dog populations and the need for continue surveillance of emerging pathogens in canine populations.

Colombian Hippos and Species Management: Exploring the Legal Case Surrounding the Management and Control of the Colombian Hippos from a Species Justice Perspective

Colombian hippopotamus populations are increasing against the backdrop of general species decline. In addition to wider calls for further protection, this pocket population is considered an invasive species and is subject to ongoing legal discussions about how they should be controlled and managed. These proceedings currently consider two options: whether the hippopotamus population needs to experience yearly culls or to use a fertility management program. This article explores whether species justice has a place within the control of non-native species via this case study of the Colombian hippo legal proceedings. When reviewing this case, neither euthanasia nor fertility control are fully in the interests of the species; however, fertility control is more in line with their interests. The conclusion considers whether it is possible to recognise the interests of wildlife within species management and how a shift towards the interests of species and species justice at minimum could provide more dignified and harmless methods of species control as well as find alternative solutions which are more in the interest of the majority of parties.

The impacts of social determinants of health and cardiometabolic factors on cognitive and functional aging in Colombian underserved populations

Global initiatives call for further understanding of the impact of inequity on aging across underserved populations. Previous research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) presents limitations in assessing combined sources of inequity and outcomes (i.e., cognition and functionality). In this study, we assessed how social determinants of health (SDH), cardiometabolic factors (CMFs), and other medical/social factors predict cognition and functionality in an aging Colombian population. We ran a cross-sectional study that combined theory- (structural equation models) and data-driven (machine learning) approaches in a population-based study (N = 23,694; M = 69.8 years) to assess the best predictors of cognition and functionality. We found that a combination of SDH and CMF accurately predicted cognition and functionality, although SDH was the stronger predictor. Cognition was predicted with the highest accuracy by SDH, followed by demographics, CMF, and other factors. A combination of SDH, age, CMF, and additional physical/psychological factors were the best predictors of functional status. Results highlight the role of inequity in predicting brain health and advancing solutions to reduce the cognitive and functional decline in LMICs.

Post-COVID-19 perceived stigma-discrimination scale: psychometric development and evaluation

The study aimed to adapt and evaluate a scale to measure COVID-19-CED in COVID-19 survivors. A sample of 330 COVID-19 survivors filled out the COVID-19 Perceived Discrimination Scale (C-19-PDS). C-19-PDS was adapted from the Tuberculosis Perceived Discrimination Scale (11 items). Confirmatory factor analysis showed poor goodness-of-fit indicators. However, the 5-item version of the C-19-PDS showed better goodness-of-fit indicators, high internal consistency, and non-gender DIF. This instrument is recommended to evaluate COVID-19-CED in Colombian and other Spanish-speaking populations.

Phylogenetic and phylogeographic insights on Trans-Andean spectacled caiman populations in Colombia

Context Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) is a species complex with at least eight phylogenetic lineages distributed across Central and South America. However, several populations remain unstudied, which limits a clear understanding of the relationship among lineages as well as whether all hidden diversity has been unveiled. Aim We analysed the molecular variation of spectacled caiman populations inhabiting the Colombian Trans-Andean range based on cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome B (CytB) mitochondrial markers. Methods We performed phylogenetic and population genetic analysis to identify phylogeographic patterns and verify genetic variation across Trans-Andean spectacled caiman by using a dataset of 78 individuals from 15 localities across Colombia. Results Haplotype accumulation curve estimated that our sample sizes recovered 82.68% of all unique haplotypes. Analysis of molecular variance showed that most of the genetic variation across the Trans-Andean samples collected can be explained by macro basins (49.85%), 32.45% by localities and 17.70% by intra-specific variation within populations. Conclusions Our study confirmed that high nucleotide diversity is present in Colombian Trans-Andean spectacled caiman populations, the absence of a genetically distinguished lineage in the Choco region, as suggested by morphologic analysis, and the presence of only one molecularly well distinguished group (C. c. fuscus sensu stricto) in the in the Colombian Trans-Andean region.