Different Regions Of Colombia Research Articles

Antibacterial activity of three ethanolic extracts of propolis from the municipalities of Sevilla, Cartago, and Armenia, Colombia, against MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen commonly associated with hospital and community-acquired infections, particularly methicillin-resistant strains that impose limi- tations on treatment options. The resistance of these strains to beta-lactam antibiotics has spurred the search for new antimicrobial sources, and natural products such as propolis extracts have demonstrated efficacy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The an- timicrobial activity of propolis depends to the flora used by the bees to make the propolis. Aim: This study aims to determine the antibacterial activity of three ethanolic extracts of propolis from the municipalities of Sevilla, Cartago, and Armenia, Colombia, against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methodology: The methodology involved obtaining ethanolic extracts of propolis collected from different regions of Colombia, followed by fractionation and identification of the propolis with the highest bactericidal activity. Subsequently, an analysis using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectro- metry (GC-MS) was identified the predominant compound in the selected fractions. Re- sults: All three propolis samples evaluated in this study demonstrated bactericidal activity at concentration of 10 mg/mL, with the Cartago propolis showing concentrations below 5 mg/mL. Chromatographic analysis identified 3-Hexadecyloxycarbonyl-5-(2-hydroxye- thyl) as the predominant compound. Conclusion: In conclusion, the need for additional research to understand the pharmacological potential of Colombian propolis, specifically the bactericidal activity of Cartago propolis against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Examining the Moderating Role of Parental Stress in the Relationship between Parental Beliefs on Corporal Punishment and Its Utilization as a Behavior Correction Strategy among Colombian Parents.

Understanding beliefs about corporal punishment is crucial, as evidence suggests that positive beliefs in its effectiveness predict its use. High parental stress, especially in those valuing corporal punishment, increases the potential for child abuse. Factors such as having many children or low education and socioeconomic status contribute to parental tensions, leading to the use of corporal punishment for behavior correction. We posit that the accumulation of such variables results in heightened stress levels. Our focus aimed to determine the moderating role of stress levels among parental beliefs about corporal punishment and its reported use through quantitative research. In our study, 853 Colombian parents of low, middle, and high socioeconomic status, and from four different regions of Colombia, with children aged 0 to 17 participated. They provided information about their beliefs on corporal punishment, using the Beliefs and Punishment Scale. Correlations indicated that older parents with better socioeconomic status were less inclined to believe that strictness improves children. Regressions suggested that increased belief in corporal punishment modifying behavior, along with higher parental stress, increases corporal punishment use. Moderation models highlighted that when more stressors were present, corporal punishment was used due to stress rather than parental beliefs. Ultimately, stress emerged as a crucial factor influencing corporal punishment use among Colombian parents.

Critical Intercultural Pedagogical Experiences: The case of two public schools

This article is the result of our research interest in the concept of Critical Interculturality (CI) along with our professional pedagogical experiences at the public-school level. The experiences took place in two different regions in Colombia, Medellín, Antioquia, and Florencia, Caquetá. These experiences were initially systematized in a PhD seminar concerning Critical Intercultural theories. First of all, we conceptualise CI from a Latin-American perspective associated with patterns of power and hierarchical structures, while bringing to light other ways of being, living, and knowing. Then, we look at the current stage of English Language Teaching (ELT) Colombian scholarship on CI, which is increasingly being studied from the standpoint of theory rather than practice. Finally, we describe two experiences that highlight public school teachers’ practices from a critical intercultural view going beyond CI theory by categorising and proving that it is possible to undertake authentic critical intercultural pedagogical experiences in the EFL/ELT field.

Psychometric properties of the emotional regulation questionnaire in a Colombian sample

Introduction: The Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) is implemented to evaluate two typical emotion management strategies (reappraisal and suppression). This instrument has shown to present sufficient validity and reliability with different populations. However, up to now in Colombia, an exhaustive analysis of the psychometric properties of said instrument, which includes factorial invariance, has not been carried out. Method: A psychometric study was carried out with a sample of 1,500 adults (749 women), belonging to different regions of Colombia, by way of an online form. The analysis of the information was carried out with the methodological assumptions of the Classical Test Theory, including a factorial invariance analysis. Results: The ERQ items explain 55.72% of the variance; it is identified, according to a confirmatory structural equations model, that the complete scale works according to the original scale and others translated in the Latin American context. In the same way, it is determined that the ERQ complies with the factorial invariance assumptions (except according to age) and presents adequate levels of internal consistency. Discussion: The ERQ is a useful instrument for discriminating people’s ability to regulate their emotions in the face of demands posed by the social context in which they interact. A subsequent study is suggested for the establishment of scales according to age groups.

Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in Indigenous Communities in Colombia.

Despite the universal vaccination program, there are still regions and territories with a high prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus infection (HBV), such as the Amazon basin, where several indigenous communities live. Additionally, Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is a defective that requires the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for the assembly and release of de novo viral particles. Therefore, hepatitis D could be the result of HBV/HDV coinfection or HDV superinfection in individuals with chronic hepatitis B. Among the high prevalence HDV populations are indigenous communities of America. This study aims to describe and characterize the frequency of HBV and HDV infection, viral genotypes and HBV immune escape mutants in indigenous populations from different regions of Colombia. The diagnosis of hepatitis B and hepatitis D was confirmed by serological markers. Moreover, the HBV and HDV genome were amplified by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively, and, subsequently, the phylogenetic analysis was performed. We characterized 47 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 1 case of reactivation and 2 cases of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). Furthermore, a high prevalence of HDV infection was identified in the study population (29.33%, 22/75) and the circulation of several HBV genotypes and subgenotypes (F1b, F3, F4, and D). Interestingly, this is the first report of the HDV genotype I circulation in this country. These findings demonstrated that HBV and HDV infections are still public health problems in indigenous communities in Colombia.

Artificial intelligence solutions to reduce information asymmetry for Colombian cocoa small-scale farmers

The lack of information creates problems for Colombian small-scale farmers, as it impedes them from selling at fair prices and knowing efficient production techniques. Around the world, many technological interventions have proven helpful in reducing information asymmetries. Therefore, we proposed a technological scheme based on a genetic algorithm and a natural language processor (NLP) that enables producers to obtain knowledge through information processing. Also, we ran fieldwork in twenty municipalities and a survey among 500 Colombian cocoa small-scale farmers in different regions in Colombia. This fieldwork helps us determine small-scale farmers' necessities, market conditions, and the relevance of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. The results have shown that AI methodologies could improve the economic conditions of small farmers by providing access to information on prices, weather, and production techniques. The fieldwork evidence that a technological tool is a good option only if there are dynamic trade cycles. AI tools could transmit and process information to become producers' knowledge and help them evolve into collective strategies. The methodology, which combines genetic algorithms, NLP, and fieldwork for cocoa farming, is a novelty that contributes to information asymmetry reduction. We contributed to the literature about adopting AI tools to develop cocoa small-scale farming better.

Consumption of Sugary Drinks among Urban Adults in Colombia: Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Body Adiposity.

Calories from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute to the development of noncommunicable diseases. There is limited knowledge of the intake of SSBs and their correlates in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the consumption of multiple SSBs and their sociodemographic correlates in an urban adult population from Colombia, South America. This was a probabilistic, population-level study of adults aged 18 to 75 from five cities representing different regions of Colombia. Dietary intake was assessed employing a 157-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire that inquired about intake over the last year. The consumption of regular soda, low-calorie soda, homemade and industrialized fruit juices, energy drinks, sport drinks, malt drinks and traditional sugar cane infusion ("agua de panela") was analyzed for the total sample and subgroups defined by sociodemographic and clinical factors of interest. The study included 1491 individuals (female: 54.2%, mean age: 45.3, overweight: 38.0%, obese: 23.3%). Sugary beverages contributed, on average, 287 Cal/d among women and 334 Cal/d among men, representing 8.9% of total daily calories (TDC). Women in the lowest SEL consumed 10.6% of their TDC from sugary drinks, as opposed to 6.6% for those in a high SEL. For men, this difference was not present (p-value for interaction = 0.039). Interestingly, a higher educational level correlated with a lower consumption of calories from sugary drinks only among men. Fruit juices were by far the main source of sugary drinks, and their consumption did not change sizably by sex and socioeconomic or educational level. Among women, there was a negative association between socioeconomic level (SEL) and consumption of regular soda, a 50% difference between extreme levels. The intake of low-calorie soda was much higher among men than women, and it more than tripled in the highest vs. lowest SEL among men. The consumption of energy drinks was heavily concentrated in men of low SEL. Colombian urban adults obtain a considerable proportion of their calories from sugary drinks, especially vulnerable groups such as women with lower education. Given the recent acceleration of the obesity epidemic in Latin America, strategies to limit the intake of such liquid calories may provide important public health benefits.

Optimal Operation of PV Sources in DC Grids for Improving Technical, Economical, and Environmental Conditions by Using Vortex Search Algorithm and a Matrix Hourly Power Flow

This document presents a master–slave methodology for solving the problem of optimal operation of photovoltaic (PV) distributed generators (DGs) in direct current (DC) networks. This problem was modeled using a nonlinear programming model (NLP) that considers the minimization of three different objective functions in a daily operation of the system. The first one corresponds to the minimization of the total operational cost of the system, including the energy purchasing cost to the conventional generators and maintenance costs of the PV sources; the second objective function corresponds to the reduction of the energy losses associated with the transport of energy in the network, and the third objective function is related to the minimization of the total emissions of CO2 by the conventional generators installed on the DC grid. The minimization of these objective functions is achieved by using a master–slave optimization approach through the application of the Vortex Search algorithm combined with a matrix hourly power flow. To evaluate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach, two test scenarios were used, which correspond to a grid-connected and a standalone network located in two different regions of Colombia. The grid-connected system emulates the behavior of the solar resource and power demand of the city of Medellín-Antioquia, and the standalone network corresponds to an adaptation of the generation and demand curves for the municipality of Capurganá-Choco. A numerical comparison was performed with four optimization methodologies reported in the literature: particle swarm optimization, multiverse optimizer, crow search algorithm, and salp swarm algorithm. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed optimization approach achieved excellent solutions in terms of response quality, repeatability, and processing times.

Energy Management System for the Optimal Operation of PV Generators in Distribution Systems Using the Antlion Optimizer: A Colombian Urban and Rural Case Study

This paper presents an Energy Management System (EMS) for solving the problem regarding the optimal daily operation of Photovoltaic (PV) distributed generators in Alternate Current (AC) distribution grids. To this effect, a nonlinear programming problem (NLP) was formulated which considered the improvement of economic (investment and maintenance costs), technical (energy losses), and environmental (CO2 emission) grid indices as objective functions, considering all technical and operating constraints for the operation of AC networks with the presence of PV sources. To solve this mathematical formulation, a master–slave methodology was implemented, whose master stage employed the antlion optimizer to find the power dispatch of PV sources in each period of time considered (24 h). In the slave stage, an hourly power flow based on the successive approximations method was used in order to obtain the values of the objective functions and constraints associated with each possible PV power configuration proposed by the master stage. To evaluate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed methodology, two test scenarios were used, which included three installed PV sources in an urban and a rural network, considering the PV power generation and demand located reported for Medellín and Capurganá, respectively. These systems correspond to connected and standalone grids located in two different regions of Colombia. Furthermore, the proposed methodology was compared with three optimization methodologies reported in the literature: the Chu and Beasley genetic algorithm, the particle swarm optimization algorithm, and the vortex search optimization algorithm. Simulation results were obtained via the MATLAB software for both test scenarios with all the optimization methodologies. It was demonstrated that the proposed methodology yields the best results in terms of solution quality and repeatability, with shorter processing times.

Use of antibiotics in patients who were attacked by animals that can transmit rabies.

Animal bites have a high probability of becoming infected. In high-risk wounds, the use of antibiotics that kill the associated microorganisms is recommended. The aim of this study was to determine the use of inappropriate antibiotics in patients in different regions of Colombia who were attacked in 2020 by animals that can transmit rabies. This was a retrospective follow-up study of a cohort of patients with wounds caused by animals; the patients were affiliated with the Colombian Health System. Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological data were collected. A total of 280 patients were analysed. The median age was 28.0 years, and 52.1% were men. The attacks were attributed to dogs (85.0%) and cats (15.0%), and 9.6% were classified as severe exposure. Antibiotics were used in 71.1% of cases for prophylaxis and in 4.3% of the cases for the treatment of superinfection; cephalexin (37.5%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (15.7%) and dicloxacillin (10.4%) were the predominant antibiotics used. A total of 72.0% of patients who received antibiotics received inadequate prescriptions, and 49.2% had no indication to receive prophylaxis. Being treated in the Caribbean region (OR: 4.09; 95% CI: 1.79-9.30) and receiving analgesics (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.25-7.94) were associated with a greater probability of being prescribed antibiotics inadequately; attacks resulting in severe exposure were associated with a lower probability (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.16-0.98). A significant proportion of patients had no indication for prophylactic antibiotics or was prescribed antibiotics not recommended by clinical practice guidelines. There was a low prevalence of prescriptions for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, the most recommended antibiotic.

Un recurso para atención primaria de la salud mental. DASS-21, propiedades psicométricas

Objective. Determine the psychometric characteristics of DASS-21 and identify its advantages as an aid in the diagnosis and screening of mental health disorders (depression, anxiety and stress). Materials and methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample was non-probabilistic of 964 university students from different regions of Colombia who met the selection criteria and answered the questionnaire. Using Cronbach's Alfa, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was measured and exploratory factor analysis was applied for the validation of the construct, using a methodology of main axes with varimax factor rotation. To establish the number of factors to be conserved, the Kaiser criterion was used. It was considered significant with p value <0.05. Results. The questionnaire was answered by 964 students. Reliability characteristics were corroborated (Cronbach's Alpha obtained for the total of 21 items a value of 0.93) and in the subscales obtained values higher than 0.8 (depression 0.85, anxiety 0.82 and stress 0.85). To determine the suitability of carrying out the factor analysis, the Bartlett sphericity test was performed, which yielded a p < value 0.0001, was later calculated the measure of adequacy of the Kaiser sample, called Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO), whose value was 0.95, expressing that it is appropriate to perform the factor analysis. Conclusions. Its use at the primary level of health care is recommended, both to support the diagnosis and as a follow-up criterion in patients with depression, anxiety and stress.

Caracterización de las fracturas en la población pediátrica: estudio multicéntrico colombiano

IntroductionFractures in children are a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to carry out a demographic and clinical characterization of the fractures in children treated in two hospitals of different regions of Colombia. Materials and methodsDescriptive, retrospective study by searching for ICD-10 diagnosis codes and reviewing medical records. Univariate data analysis, expressing the quantitative variables in absolute values and measures of central tendency and the qualitative variables in tables of frequencies and percentages. ResultsThe annual incidence of pediatric fractures in the regional hospital was 61.34 / 10,000 and in the pediatric hospital 9.16 / 10,000, with the highest peaks around school holidays. Male sex predominated, left laterality and the age group most affected was 4-7 years. Fractures of the distal radius, supracondylar humerus, and diaphyseal ulna and radius were the most frequent. Falls from standing height were the most common injury mechanism, yet traffic accidents were a major cause of fractures in the regional hospital. Conservative management was the most used. DiscussionThere is agreement with other studies regarding the predominance of males, falls, and upper limb involvement in pediatric fractures. However, there are some differences depending onthe time of year and geographic region. Knowing the characteristics of pediatric fractures is essential to develop preventive strategies.Level of evidence: IV.

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Evidence of bovine leukemia virus circulating in sheep and buffaloes in Colombia: insights into multispecies infection

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of leukemia/lymphoma in cattle. However, previous evidence has shown its presence in other species of livestock as well as in humans, suggesting that other species can be accidental hosts of the virus. In viral infections, receptors that are common to different animal species are proposed to be involved in cross-species infections. For BLV, AP3D1 has been proposed to be its receptor, and this protein is conserved in most mammalian species. In Colombia, BLV has been reported in cattle with high prevalence rates, but there has been no evidence of BLV infections in other animal species. In this study, we tested for the virus in sheep (n = 44) and buffaloes (n = 61) from different regions of Colombia by nested PCR, using peripheral blood samples collected from the animals. BLV was found in 25.7% of the animals tested (12 buffaloes and 15 sheep), and the results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. In addition, to gain more information about the capacity of the virus to infect these species, the predicted interactions of AP3D1 of sheep and buffaloes with the BLV-gp51 protein were analyzed in silico. Conserved amino acids in the binding domains of the proteins were identified. The detection of BLV in sheep and buffaloes suggests circulation of the virus in multiple species, which could be involved in dissemination of the virus in mixed livestock production settings. Due to the presence of the virus in multiple species and the high prevalence rates observed, integrated prevention and control strategies in the livestock industry should be considered to decrease the spread of BLV.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00705-021-05285-7.

FOREIGN TRADE, EDUCATION, AND INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE: A MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS

This study analyses the innovative performance of 5,273 companies across 64 different economic sectors and 32 different regions in Colombia. We assess the effects of education and open economy variables on the innovative performance of firms by analyzing firm, sectoral, and regional level determinants. The study takes the multilevel approach of the innovation process considering the structure and behavior of innovation systems in developing countries. We furthermore focus on technology transfer from foreign trade and the role of education in the process of innovation. We find that education and open economy variables have a significant relationship with innovation performance at the firm and regional levels. We finally conclude that Colombia has a fragmented innovation system with a weak institutional structure, and low interaction between policymakers, industry, universities, research centers.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato across different regions of Colombia

BackgroundThere has been a long-standing debate over the taxonomic status of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Different studies worldwide have reported the occurrence of different well-defined lineages, in addition to Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto. To date, there are very few studies examining the diverse aspects of this tick in Colombia. We assessed the population structure and genetic diversity of R. sanguineus s.l. in eight departmental regions across Colombia.MethodsA total of 170 ticks were collected from dogs in different departments of Colombia. All specimens were morphologically compatible with R. sanguineus s.l. and subjected to genetic analysis. DNA sequences were obtained for the 12S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers. A concatenated set of all mitochondrial markers was also constructed. Next, maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using the sequences generated herein and sequences available in GenBank. Finally, we assessed different summary statistics and analysed population structure and divergence with Fst and Dxy and demographic changes with Tajima's D and Fu and Li’s statistical tests.ResultsAnalysis of the 12S rDNA and COI revealed that all R. sanguineus s.l. specimens collected across different regions of Colombia clustered within the tropical lineage. Micro-geographical analyses showed that the tick population from Amazonas formed a distinct cluster separated from the other sequences, with moderate Fst and Dxy values. However, no signs of a robust population structure were found within the country. The results of Fu’s FS tests, together with the haplotype networks and diversity values, signal a possible population expansion of this tick species in Colombia.ConclusionsEvidence provided herein supports the tropical lineage as the main circulating lineage in Colombia, exhibiting a general lack of genetic structure except for the Amazonas region.Graphical

Evolution and Epidemic Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia: A Year into the Pandemic.

Current efforts to understand the epidemiology, transmission dynamics and emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants worldwide has enabled the scientific community to generate critical information aimed at implementing disease surveillance and control measures, as well as to reduce the social, economic and health impact of the pandemic. Herein, we applied an epidemic model coupled with genomic analysis to assess the SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Colombia. This epidemic model allowed to identify the geographical distribution, Rt dynamics and predict the course of the pandemic considering current implementation of countermeasures. The analysis of the incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants carried out across different regions of Colombia allowed visualizing the changes in the geographic distribution of cases. The cumulative incidence during the timeframe March 2020 to March 2021 revealed that Bogotá (8063.0), Quindío (5482.71), Amazonas (5055.68), Antioquia (4922.35) and Tolima (4724.41) were the departments with the highest incidence rate. The highest median Rt during the first period evaluated was 2.13 and 1.09 in the second period; with this model, we identified improving opportunities in health decision making related to controlling the pandemic, diagnostic testing capacity, case registration and reporting, among others. Genomic analysis revealed 52 circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Colombia detected from 774 genomes sequenced throughout the first year of the pandemic. The genomes grouped into four main clusters and exhibited 19 polymorphisms. Our results provide essential information on the spread of the pandemic countrywide despite implementation of early containment measures. In addition, we aim to provide deeper phylogenetic insights to better understand the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in light of the latent emergence of novel variants and how these may potentially influence transmissibility and infectivity.

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Foreign Trade, Education and Innovative Performance: A Multilevel Analysis

This research analyses the innovative performance of 5273 companies across 64 different economic sectors and 32 different regions in Colombia. We assess the different effects on the innovative performance of firms by analyzing firm, sector, and regional level determinants. The study involves the multilevel approach of the innovation process considering the structure and behavior of innovation systems in developing countries. We furthermore focus on technology transfer from foreign trade and the role of education in the process of innovation. We find that education and open economy variables have a significant relationship with innovation performance at the firm and regional levels.

Social representations of media reception during the COVID-19 lockdown in Colombia: from messages to meanings.

Recent studies on COVID-19 have focused on the pandemic's effects on public health and the biosafety controls and their socioeconomic implications. The current mixed-methods study takes a new look at the topic, combining qualitative and quantitative strategies to identify the social representations of media reception in a sector of the Colombian population during social isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that these representations vary and are associated with the media channel and the effect the reception produces on mood and mental health. A total of 80 interviews and 1,068 online survey forms were applied in different regions of Colombia. The qualitative phase showed that the programs or messages received were represented positively when they came from audiovisual entertainment and contributed to the family unit and reduced stress during the lockdown. Meanwhile, media reception was represented negatively when the messages or news came from journalism or social networks and increased the misinformation, anxiety, and fear of contagion. The quantitative phase found that media reception decreased as the lockdown continued, due to information saturation and the proliferation of news emphasizing the risks of COVID-19. The results reveal the need to focus health communication on the development of information skills that allow people to learn and assess the veracity and relevance of information received during the pandemic.