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INTRODUCTION: Low-cost, accurate high-risk HPV tests are needed for cervical cancer screening in limited-resource settings. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of the low-cost Hybribio-H13 test with the Hybrid Capture® 2 to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2 and CIN3). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archived baseline samples tested by the Hybrid Capture® 2 from women of the ASCUS-COL trial, aged 20 to 69 years, with biopsy-colposcopy directed diagnosis of CIN2+ (n = 143), CIN3+ (n = 51), and < CIN2 (n = 632) were blindly tested by the Hybribio-H13 test. RESULTS: The relative sensitivity of the Hybribio-H13 test versus the Hybrid Capture® 2 for detecting CIN2+ was 0.89 (90% CI = 0,80-0,98; NIT = 0,66), and for CIN3+ was 0,92 (90% CI = 0,85-0,98; NIT = 0,35). Relative specificity was 1.19 (90% CI = 1.05-1.33; NIT <0.00001). In the analysis restricted to women older than 30 years, the relative sensitivity of the Hybribio-H13 for CIN3+ was marginally below unity (ratio = 0.97; 90% CI = 0.95-0.99), and the specificity remained higher than the Hybrid Capture® 2 test. CONCLUSION: The Hybribio-H13 test was as specific as the Hybrid Capture® 2 for detecting CIN2+ or CIN3+ but less sensitive. Considering these results and the young age of the population recruited for screening because of ASCUS cytology, we suggest our results warrant the evaluation of the Hybribio-H13 for screening cervical cancer, especially in the evaluated population.

Introducción. Se necesitan pruebas para detectar genotipos de VPH de alto riesgo, precisas y de bajo costo, para la tamización del cáncer de cuello uterino en entornos de recursos limitados. Objetivo. Comparar el desempeño de la prueba de bajo costo Hybrid-H13 con la de Hybrid Capture® 2 para detectar NIC2+ y NIC3+. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron en ciego muestras de la línea base provenientes de mujeres del estudio ASCUS-COL, entre los 20 y los 69 años, con diagnóstico dirigido por biopsia-colposcopia de NIC2+ (n = 143), NIC3 + (n = 51) y < NIC2 (n = 632) con la prueba para detección de virus de papiloma humano Hybribio-H13. Estas muestras fueron previamente evaluadas con la prueba Hybrid Capture® 2. Resultados. La sensibilidad relativa de Hybribio-13 versus la de Hybrid Capture® 2 para detectar NIC2+ fue de 0,89 (IC90%: 0,80-0,98; NIT = 0,66) y para NIC3+ fue de 0,92 (IC90%: 0,85-0,98; NIT = 0,35). La especificidad relativa fue de 1,19 (IC90%: 1,05-1,33; NIT <0,00001). En el análisis restringido a mujeres mayores de 30 años, la sensibilidad relativa de Hybribio-H13 para NIC3+ estuvo marginalmente por debajo de la unidad (proporción = 0,97; IC90%: 0,95-0,99) y la especificidad permaneció más alta que la de la prueba Hybrid Capture® 2. Conclusión. La prueba de Hybribio-H13 fue tan específica como la de Hybrid Capture® 2, pero menos sensible para detectar NIC2+ o NIC3+. Teniendo en cuenta estos resultados y la temprana edad de la población reclutada en la tamización por la presencia de ASCUS en la citología, se sugiere continuar con la evaluación de la prueba Hybribio-H13 para la detección de cáncer de cuello uterino en poblaciones con las mismas características que las de la aquí evaluada.

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The district of Arauca is the second-largest producer of cacao in Colombia. However, despite its quality, it faces issues for export due to levels of cadmium (Cd) higher than the regulatory thresholds. A central question is how it may impact agricultural performance in the presence of Cd in cacao and chocolates. This study quantified Cd in cacao plantations from Arauca. Thus, 180 farms were assessed in the municipalities of Arauquita, Fortul, Saravena, and Tame. Five sample types (soil, irrigation channel sediment, soil litter, cacao seeds, and chocolates) were assessed for Cd. As a technological innovation, the new MXRF technology was used for Cd in chocolates. The sequence of Cd content was soil litter > chocolate > soils > cacao seeds > irrigation-channel sediment. A gradient north-south of Cd content in soil was observed, where highest content was found in farms near the Arauca River, and lower farther away. In irrigation channel sediment, Cd levels averaged 0.07 mg kg-1. The Cd content in cacao seeds was 0.78 mg kg-1 on average. Cd content in chocolates was above the threshold (1.10 mg kg-1 on average, including several cacao mass percentages). These artisanal chocolate bars produced by single farms were near the limit of Cd set by the European Union (up to 0.8 mg kg-1). Therefore, mixing beans from different farms could reduce their Cd content. The present study underscores the complexity of Cd distribution, emphasizing the importance of integrating soil, crop, and landscape features in managing and mitigating Cd levels in cacao.

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BACKGROUND: Cocoa quality plays a pivotal role in establishing denominations of origin, with genotypes, geography, climate and soil conditions being key variables. However, these factors have not been comprehensively explored in defining cacao denominations of origin. The present study addresses this gap by laying the foundation for cacao denomination of origin, focusing on the Buenaventura region on Colombia's Pacific coast. Our goal is to provide a holistic understanding of the elements underpinning cacao denomination of origin, emphasizing Buenaventura's unique cocoa quality and geographical significance. RESULTS: Through the Buenaventura case, we propose a robust framework applicable to other cacao-producing regions, elevating the recognition and value of cacao denomination of origin. Our framework encompasses geography, agronomy, genetics, microbial diversity, pests and diseases and cocoa quality. In a pioneering move, we propose a cacao denomination of origin in Colombia, specifically examining Bajo Calima, Sabaletas and Cisneros within Buenaventura region. Buenaventura stands out for its cocoa quality, characterized by fruity flavors attributed to the rich biodiversity of the lowland rainforest. CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicates specific geographical indicators for each of the study zones, with Buenaventura identified as a region with natural characteristics to produce fine flavour cocoa products. Each zone exhibited a high differentiation and diversity of cacao cultivars. Buenaventura has the potential to be designated as a future denomination of origin for cacao from the Pacific region of Colombia, characterized by its unique fruity-aroma chocolates. Our framework is adaptable to other cacao-producing regions, facilitating the establishment of denominations of origin within the cocoa industry and agriculture. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm of the pleural tissue that lines the lungs and is mainly associated with long latency from asbestos exposure. This tumor has no effective therapeutic opportunities nowadays and has a very low five-year survival rate. In this sense, identifying molecular events that trigger the development and progression of this tumor is highly important to establish new and potentially effective treatments. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide expression studies publicly available at the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and ArrayExpress databases. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and we performed functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs) to gain insight into the biological mechanisms underlying these genes. Additionally, we constructed survival prediction models for selected DEGs and predicted the minimum drug inhibition concentration of anticancer drugs for MPM. In total, 115 MPM tumor transcriptomes and 26 pleural tissue controls were analyzed. We identified 1046 upregulated DEGs in the MPM samples. Cellular signaling categories in tumor samples were associated with the TNF, PI3K-Akt, and AMPK pathways. The inflammatory response, regulation of cell migration, and regulation of angiogenesis were overrepresented biological processes. Expression of SOX17 and TACC1 were associated with reduced survival rates. This meta-analysis identified a list of DEGs in MPM tumors, cancer-related signaling pathways, and biological processes that were overrepresented in MPM samples. Some therapeutic targets to treat MPM are suggested, and the prognostic potential of key genes is shown.

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Background: Cacao (Theobromacacao L) is one of the most relevant crops in terms of economy and social rural development in Colombia. Cacao is also an important crop due to its potential to replace illicit crops and it is related to less deforestation and preserves the biodiversity. There are several cacao districts in Colombia, one of these being Arauca. The Department of Arauca is the second largest cocoa producing region in Colombia; however, it is heavily affected by armed conflict. To raise the knowledge and technology available in the region, integrating data on the occurrence of cacao farms with climatic variables becomes a powerful socioeconomic mapping tool for maintaining agrobiodiversity and food security in the region. Consequently, this type of agrodiversity data and agroclimatic approaches help to better manage agrobiodiversity, as in the cacao region of Arauca. These tools are even more relevant in biodiverse regions, such as flooded savannahs and tropical forest ecosystems, which are currently undergoing drastic changes due to agricultural expansion and climate change. One of the knowledge gaps in Colombia´s cacao regions is that there are currently no agroclimatic maps made with a social and scientific approach. This study aimed to provide a database of the spatial distribution of cacao farms in Arauca, as well as agroclimatic maps that identify and locate cacao climate regions in Arauca. We also present a presence-only matrix consisting of twenty-six tree species, or agrobiodiversity, distributed across the study region and specifically associated with the cacao forestry systems in Arauca. New information: We present the first database of both climate and agrobiodiversity data related to cacao farms in Arauca, developed with a research and socioeconomic vision that generated a novel approach for the agroclimatic zoning of cocoa in the Arauca Region and Colombia. Using 1,538 cacao farms at the regional scale, we identified two national and six regional-scale climate and soil regions. The selection at the local scale allowed us to classify 180 cacao farms comprising nine agroclimatic clusters in Arauca. We found twenty-six tree species distributed across the cacao climate zones. This dataset and its related maps also represent the agrobiodiversity of cultivated cacao locally. This is the most complete climate and agrobiodiversity dataset of cacao farms distribution in one of the top cocoa-producing regions in the country. These outputs are crucial because they constitute a baseline for developing research in the biodiversity of agroforestry systems, pests and diseases, pollutant presence, genetics, post-harvest processing and cocoa quality and safety.

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Colombia, renowned as an important centre of global biodiversity, continues to harbour undiscovered evolutionary hotspots of flowering plants. The altitude-dependent hypothesis suggests that richness patterns are determined by altitude and probably influenced by climate variables. This study employs null models based on a species-level phylogeny of Colombia's flowering plants and their geographical distributions to identify evolutionary hotspots. We explore the potential correlation between elevation, climate variables such as temperature and rainfall, and the location and nature of these hotspots. The findings reveal that evolutionary cradles, which house young endemic species, are predominantly located in the mountainous regions of the Andes. Conversely, evolutionary museums, hosting older endemic species, are found in lowland regions spanning the Caribbean, Orinoco, Amazon and Pacific areas. These results demonstrate a clear elevational segregation of evolutionary hotspots, primarily influenced by temperature, thereby supporting the hypothesis under examination. Furthermore, this study identifies previously unrecognized evolutionary regions, highlighting the limited understanding of Colombia's biodiversity distribution and evolutionary history.

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Introducción: la poliangeítis microscópica (PAM) hace parte del grupo de vasculitis asociadas a anticuerpos anticitoplasmáticos de neutrófilos (ANCA), cuya presencia de anticuerpos contra mieloperoxidasa (MPO) se observa en la mayoría de los casos (70-95 %), asimismo, el compromiso renal presagia mayores tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad, sin embargo, la coexistencia con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es poco frecuente y con mayor énfasis en la variante de LES del adulto mayor o de inicio tardío. Objetivo: dar a conocer un caso poco común de dos enfermedades autoinmunes, lo cual ha sido reportado como síndrome de superposición y brindar información útil que permita ampliar los diagnósticos diferenciales. Presentación del caso: se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 76 años con historia de poliartralgias progresivas en deterioro del estado general, con debut en síndrome confusional agudo, caída de filtrado glomerular, microhematuria y proteinuria casi nefrótica. A la evaluación inicial se encontró anemia y trombocitopenia severa, en perfil inmune ANA 1/320 y complemento consumido, cumpliendo criterios para LES, ANCA reactivo específicamente MPO ANCA (1/320) y sospecha de glomerulonefritis con patrón rápidamente progresivo (GNRP). Dado el contexto clínico, se decidió comenzar con pulsos de metilprednisolona consecutivos, seguidos de prednisolona oral y, como terapia de mantenimiento, se instauró ciclofosfamida. Finalmente, con una biopsia renal se confirmó el diagnóstico de vasculitis sistémica pauciinmune con formación de crescencia celular. La evolución clínica del paciente fue satisfactoria, logrando la estabilización de órganos y la normalización de la función renal, hematopoyética y el estado neurológico. Discusión y conclusión: dado que la presentación clínica de LES es heterogénea, se ha reportado su asociación con vasculitis, las cuales comparten un compromiso común de órganos como articulaciones, piel y riñones. Los hallazgos paraclínicos, como por biopsia, fueron consistentes tanto con PAM como con LES, por lo tanto, se diagnosticó como un caso de superposición. Este caso demuestra el enigma del diagnóstico y la complejidad en el manejo de entidades poco frecuentes, de etiologías inmunológicas superpuestas que ponen en peligro la vida de quien la(s) padece, de no tener un diagnóstico oportuno y un tratamiento temprano.

Introduction: Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is part of the group of vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), whose presence of antibodies against myeloperoxidase (MPO) is observed in most cases (70-95 %), likewise, the renal compromise portends higher rates of morbidity and mortality. However, coexistence with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is infrequent, and with greater emphasis on the older adult or late-onset variant of SLE (1). Purpose: Present a rare case of two autoimmune diseases, which has been reported as overlapping syndrome and provide useful information that allows expanding differential diagnoses. Case report: We present the case of a 76-year-old male patient with a history of progressive polyarthralgias in deteriorating general condition, with debut in acute confusional syndrome, drop in glomerular filtration rate, microhematuria and almost nephrotic proteinuria. At the initial evaluation anemia and severe thrombocytopenia were found, in the immune profile ANA 1/320, complement consumed; fulfilling criteria for SLE, ANCAs reactive specifically MPO ANCA (1/320) and suspected Rapidly Progressive Renal Insufficiency (PRRI). Given the clinical context, it was decided to start consecutive pulses of methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone, and cyclophosphamide was established as maintenance therapy. Finally, a renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pauci-immune systemic vasculitis with cell crescent formation. These findings were consistent with both SLE and PAM, thus it was diagnosed as a case of overlap. The clinical evolution of the patient was satisfactory, achieving organ stabilization and normalization of renal function, hematopoietic function, and neurological status. Discussion and conclusion: RPGN associated with ANCA present non-nephrotic proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate drop. The most common is anti-glomerular basement membrane (AMBG) antibodies. Serological detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, PR3 and MPO should be available. Microscopic polyangiitis could be determined by renal biopsy, with the presence of cell growth, absence of immune deposits and MPO ANCA positivity. This case is a diagnostic enigma, and the complexity in the management of rare entities, of immunological etiology, superimposed that endanger the life of those who suffer from it, if they do not have a timely diagnosis and early treatment.

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Uveal melanoma (UVM) is a highly aggressive ocular cancer with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis particularly for patients with liver metastasis. As such, the identification of new prognostic biomarkers is critical for developing effective treatment strategies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of an ultraviolet light response gene signature to predict the prognosis of UVM patients. Our approach involved the development of a prognostic model based on genes associated with the cellular response to UV light. By employing this model, we generated risk scores to stratify patients into high- and low-risk groups. Furthermore, we conducted differential expression analysis between these two groups and explored the estimation of immune infiltration. To validate our findings, we applied our methodology to an independent UVM cohort. Through our study, we introduced a novel survival prediction tool and shed light on the underlying cellular processes within UVM tumors, emphasizing the involvement of immune subsets in tumor progression.

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The Cinchona genus is important for humanity due to its ethnobotanical properties, and in particular its ability to prevent and treat malaria. However, there have been historical changes of Cinchona distribution in the tropical Andes that remain undocumented. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, several explorers recorded Cinchona precise localities in present-day Colombia and Ecuador, countries which harbour about half of the species of the genus, including C. officinalis. We compare historical and twentieth-century records to evaluate whether elevational ranges, mean elevation and latitude varied between the two periods. A large expansion of 662.5 m in average elevation for Cinchona and 792.5 m in elevational range for C. officinalis was found. These findings have implications for the conservation of economically important species and help us understand the impacts of the Anthropocene over time.

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Abstract The present work describes 11 new species of the genus Trichorhina from Brazilian caves in the states of Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, and São Paulo. Moreover, the distribution of T. tomentosa has been expanded to include the states of Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais. Additionally, a distribution map and a key for all Brazilian species of Trichorhina, including epigean ones, are provided.

Resumo O presente trabalho descreve 11 novas espécies do gênero Trichorhina de cavernas brasileiras nos estados da Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará e São Paulo. Além disso, a distribuição de T. tomentosa foi ampliada para incluir os estados de Mato Grosso e Minas Gerais. Adicionalmente, são fornecidos um mapa de distribuição e uma chave para todas as espécies brasileiras de Trichorhina, incluindo as epígeas.