ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with different medical conditions, such as cardiologic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary, and constitutes a severe health problem. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the use of intragastric fluid-filled balloon in the reduction of weight and other measurements related to body composition. METHODS: This is a retrospective, monocentric study involving all patients who opted for the intragastric balloon Spatz® placement from January 2018 to July 2019, with fulfillment of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were analyzed after 6 and 12 months after the intragastric fluid-filled balloon placed. RESULTS: A total of 121 subjects were included in this study, with 83 (68.6%) females and 38 (31.4%) males. The mean age was 36 years and height was 1.64±0.09. Weight mean and standard deviation was 89.85±14.65 kg, and body mass index was 33.05±4.03; body mass index decreased to 29.4 kg/m2 with a mean weight of 79.83 kg, after 12 months of follow-up. There were statistical differences between body mass index and the 12 months in fat percentage, fat-free mass (kg), visceral fat area, and basal metabolic rate. There was a significant variation according to gender, with males having highest reduction. The percentage of excess weight loss was 46.19, and the total weight loss was 9.24 at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a benefit of intragastric fluid-filled balloon on weight loss after 12 months. At the end of treatment, body mass index and the measurements of body composition were significantly lower. Men benefited more than women from the treatment.

RESUMO RACIONAL: A obesidade está associada a diferentes condições médicas, tais como cardiológicas, respiratórias, gastrointestinais, geniturinárias entre outras e constituem um grave problema de saúde. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o emprêgo do balão intragástrico na redução de peso e em outras medidas relacionadas à composição corporal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, monocêntrico, incluindo todos os pacientes que optaram pela colocação de balão intragástrico Spatz® entre janeiro de 2018 e julho de 2019, com cumprimento dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. RESULTADOS: Cento e vinte e um indivíduos foram recrutados neste estudo. A média de idade foi de 36 anos e estatura de 1,64±0,09, sendo 83 (68,6%) do sexo feminino e 38 (31,4%) do sexo masculino. A média do peso e o desvio padrão foram de 89,85±14,65 kg e o índice de massa corporal foi de 33,05±4,03. Após 12 meses, o índice de massa corporal diminuiu para 29,4 kg/m2 com um peso médio de 79,83 kg. Foram registradas diferenças estatísticas no índice de massa corporal, no percentual de gordura, massa livre de gordura (kg), área de gordura visceral e taxa metabólica basal. Houve variação significativa de acordo com o sexo, sendo o masculino com maior redução. O porcentual de perda de excesso de peso foi de 46,19% e de perda de peso total de 9,24 %ao final do estudo. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo demonstrou benefícios do balão intragástrico na perda de peso após 12 meses de colocação do balão. Ao final do tratamento, o índice de massa corporal e as medidas de composição corporal foram significativamente menores. Os homens se beneficiaram mais do que as mulheres do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Background: Tropical Dry Forests (TDFs) are repositories of biodiversity, ecosystem services and carbon that are threatened by fragmentation and climate change. Floristic and phytosociological studies are fundamental database for many studies of conservation and sustainability, but there is a knowledge gap concerning TDFs, especially in the Andes valleys. The aim of this study was to determine the phytosociological structure and composition of woody vegetation of seven TDFs in the Colombian Andes, and because the flora associated with this type of forest has a geographical distribution restricted to each locality where this biome exists, provide information on the main species, genera and families for conservation and restoration actions as well as for future meta-analyses. We sampled seven TDFs with 20 plots of 25 m × 4 m. Results: In the 1.88 hectares of samples, 8422 individuals were surveyed, distributed in 170 species, 120 genera and 50 botanical families. Of these species, 78.82% were identified at the species level, 17.05% at the genus level, and 4.11% at the family level. The most important families were Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. Nitrogen-fixing Fabaceae species were prominent amongst the important species, especially in low altitude and more stressing sites. Conclusion: The structure, composition and ecological importance of these forests must be considered for conservation and ecological restoration plans, in particular the habitat preference of species along the topographic gradient. Particularly noteworthy for conservation are the Myrtaceae species because promote connectivity and regeneration by providing resources for the fauna, a driver of dispersal, as well as nitrogen-fixing Fabaceae species, because promote the resilience and natural regeneration of TDFs in the Andes, a key feature of stability.

Abstract Introduction: Analysis of several markers is required for adequate quality control in umbilical cord blood units (UCBU) when are used for therapeutic purposes. Objective: To optimize colony-forming units (CFU) from clonogenic cultures and to detect the human papillomavirus (HPV) genome in UCBU. Methods: One hundred and forty-one umbilical cord blood (UCB), segment or CFU samples from UCBU clonogenic cultures were included. DNA extraction, quantification and endogenous GAPDH gene PCR amplification were carried out. Subsequently, HPV L1 gene was detected using the MY09/MY11 and GP5/GP6+ oligonucleotides. PCR products were analyzed with electrophoresis in agarose gel. CFU-extracted purified DNA was analyzed by electrophoresis in agarose gel, as well as some DNAs, using the SSP technique. Results: CFU-extracted DNA concentration was higher in comparison with that of UCB (p = 0.0041) and that of the segment (p < 0.0001), as well as that of UCB in comparison with that of the segment (p < 0.0001). All samples were positive for GAPDH amplification and negative for MY09/MY11 and GP5/GP6+. Conclusions: Cryopreserved UCBUs were HPV-negative. Obtaining CFU DNA from clonogenic cultures with high concentrations and purity is feasible.

Resumen Introducción: Se requiere analizar diversos parámetros para el control de calidad adecuado de las unidades de sangre de cordón umbilical (USCU) cuando se utilizan con fines terapéuticos. Objetivo: Optimizar las unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC) de cultivos clonogénicos y detectar el genoma del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) en USCU. Métodos: Se incluyeron 141 muestras de sangre de cordón umbilical (SCU), de segmento y de UFC de cultivos clonogénicos de USCU. Se realizó extracción de ADN, cuantificación y amplificación por PCR del gen endógeno GAPDH. Se detectó el gen L1 del VPH con los oligonucleótidos MY09/MY11 y GP5/GP6+; los productos de PCR se migraron en electroforesis de agarosa. El ADN purificado de las UFC se analizó mediante electroforesis de agarosa y algunos ADN, con la técnica sequence specific priming. Resultados: La concentración de ADN extraído de UFC fue superior comparada con la de SCU (p = 0.0041) y la de segmento (p < 0.0001); así como la de SCU comparada con la de segmento (p < 0.0001). Todas las muestras fueron positivas para la amplificación de GAPDH y negativas para MY09/MY11 y GP5/GP6+. Conclusiones: Las USCU criopreservadas fueron VPH netativas; además, es factible obtener ADN en altas concentraciones y con alta pureza a partir de UFC de los cultivos clonogénicos.