ABSTRACT Introduction: Near-fatal asthma (NFA) is defined as the most severe form of asthma characterized by a refractory asthma attack with an arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) greater than 45 mmHg and altered consciousness, requiring mechanical ventilation. Clinical Case: We reported the case of 40-year-old female patient, obese and asthmatic with irregular treatment who presented dyspnea accompanied by severe oppressive chest pain and loss of consciousness, with generalized cyanosis and severe shortness of breath, for which she underwent emergency endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Laboratory tests show decompensated respiratory acidosis, glycemia of 258 mg / dl and HbA1C of 7.94%; her diagnosing diabetes mellitus (DM). The presentation of NFA is rare and as a clinical manifestation in an obese patient with onset diabetic has never been reported in Peru; therefore, asthmatic patients with obesity and DM should be monitored due to the susceptibility to develop NFA.

RESUMEN Introducción: El asma casi fatal (ACF) se define como la forma más severa de asma que se caracteriza por una crisis asmática refractaria con una presión parcial de dióxido de carbono (PaCO2) mayor a 45 mmHg y alteración de la conciencia que requiere ventilación mecánica. Caso clínico: Presentamos a una paciente de 40 años, obesa y asmática con tratamiento irregular que acude por disnea acompañada de dolor torácico tipo opresivo de intensidad severa y pérdida de la conciencia, con cianosis generalizada y dificultad intensa para respirar por lo que se le realiza intubación endotraqueal de emergencia y ventilación mecánica. En los exámenes de laboratorio se encuentra acidosis respiratoria descompensada, glicemia de 258 mg/dl y HbA1C de 7,94%; diagnosticándole diabetes mellitus (DM). La presentación del ACF es poco frecuente y como manifestación clínica en una paciente obesa con DM debut nunca se ha reportado en el Perú; por tal motivo, se debe vigilar a los pacientes asmátciatis laudantium voluptatem. Vitae, aliquid.

We report the catalytic effect of three ruthenocene bimetallic compounds derived from fused aromatic rings of general formula [{Cp*Ru}2L], with Cp*: pentamethylcyclopentadiene and L = pentalene (1), 2,6-diethyl-4,8-dimethyl-s-indacene (2), and 2,7-diethyl-as-indacene (3), on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). The new compound 3 was characterized by a combination of multinuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of compound 3 shows a decrease in the decomposition temperature of AP to 347 ºC, increases the energy release to 2048 J g-1 and, consequently, leads to the lowest activation energy (42.9 kJ mol-1). These results are comparable to the typically used metallocene (catocene: 347 ºC and 2472 J g-1), suggesting a suitable and competitive alternative to be used as a modifier for composite solid propellants.

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has adverse health consequences, its early diagnosis and optimal management require recommendations based on high quality evidence adapted to each health system. Objective: To provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for the diagnosis and initial management of RA. Methods: A Guideline Development Group (GDG) was established, including medical specialists and methodologists. The GDG formulated 10 clinical questions to be answered by this CPG. Systematic searches of published evidence in PubMed and CENTRAL were performed during December 2017 and July 2019 (including systematic reviews and -when it was considered pertinent- primary studies) were conducted. The evidence of the highest quality for answering each of the posed clinical questions was selected. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology which was used in periodic work meetings by the GDG to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, points of good clinical practice, and flowcharts. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution N° 132 - IETSI - ESSALUD - 2019. Results: This CPG addressed 10 clinical questions, divided into two topics: diagnosis and management. Based on these questions, 16 recommendations (5 strong and 11 weak), 28 points of good clinical practice, and 3 flowcharts were formulated. Conclusion: This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based conclusions from the CPG for the diagnosis and initial management of RA in EsSalud.

Resumen Introducción: La Artritis Reumatoide (AR) tiene adversas consecuencias en la salud su diagnóstico temprano y manejo óptimo requiere recomendaciones basadas en evidencia de alta calidad adaptadas a cada sistema de salud. Objetivo: Proveer recomendaciones clínicas basadas en evidencia para el diagnóstico y manejo inicial de la AR. Métodos: Se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó médicos especialistas y metodólogos. El GEG formuló 10 preguntas clínicas a ser respondidas por la presente GPC. Se realizaron búsquedas sistemáticas de la evidencia publicada en PubMed y CENTRAL entre diciembre 2017 a julio 2019 (revisiones sistemáticas y -cuando fue considerado pertinente- estudios primarios). Se seleccionó la evidencia de mayor calidad para responder cada una de las preguntas clínicas planteadas. La certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) y en reuniones de trabajo periódicas, el GEG usó dicha metodología para revisar la evidencia y formular las recomendaciones, los puntos de buena práctica clínica y los flujogramas. Finalmente, la GPC fue aprobada con Resolución N° 132 - IETSI - ESSALUD - 2019. Resultados: La presente GPC abordó 10 preguntas clínicas, divididas en dos temas: diagnóstico y manejo. En base a dichas preguntas se formularon 16 recomendaciones (5 fuertes y 11 condicionales), 45 puntos de buena práctica clínica, y 3 flujogramas. Conclusión: El presente artículo resume la metodología y las conclusiones basadas en evidencias de la GPC para el diagnóstico y manejo inicial de la AR en EsSalud.

RESUMEN Introducción: El presente artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección crónica por el virus de Hepatitis C en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud). Objetivo: Proveer recomendaciones clínicas basadas en evidencia para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección crónica por el virus de Hepatitis C en EsSalud. Métodos: Se conformó un grupo elaborador de la guía (GEG) que incluyó especialistas y metodólogos. El GEG formuló 4 preguntas clínicas. Se realizó búsquedas sistemáticas de revisiones sistemáticas y estudios primarios en PubMed y Central de Cochrane durante el 2019. Se seleccionó la evidencia para responder a las preguntas clínicas planteadas. La certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). El GEG usó la metodología GRADE para revisar la evidencia y formular recomendaciones, los puntos de buena práctica clínica y el flujograma de tratamiento. Finalmente, la GPC fue aprobada con Resolución N° 151-IETSI-ESSALUD-2019. Resultados: La presente GPC abordó 4 preguntas clínicas, divididas en cuatro temas: tamizaje, diagnóstico, estadiaje y tratamiento. En base a estas preguntas se formularon 13 recomendaciones (8 fuertes y 5 condicionales), 27 puntos de buena práctica clínica y 1 flujograma de manejo. Conclusión: El presente artículo resume la metodología y las conclusiones basadas en evidencias de la GPC para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infección crónica por el virus de Hepatitis C en EsSalud.

RESUMEN Introduction: This article summarizes the clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic infection of hepatitis viral C of the Peruvian Health Social Security (EsSalud). Objective: To provide clinical recommendations based on evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic infection of hepatitis viral C in EsSalud. Methods: A guideline development group (GDG) was established, including medical specialists and methodologists. The GDG formulated 4 clinical questions to be answered in this CPG. Systematic searches of systematic reviews and primary studies (when pertinent) were conducted in PubMed, and Central (Cochrane) during 2019. The evidence was selected to answer each of the clinical questions. The accuracy of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the GEG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, the points of good clinical practice and the treatment flowchart. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution No. 151-IETSIESSALUD-2019. Results: The present CPG addressed 4 clinical questions of four topics: screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment. Based on these questions, 13 recommendations (8 strong recommendations and 5 weak recommendations), 27 points of good clinical practice, and 1 flowchart were formulated. Conclusion: This paper summarizes the methodology and evidencebased conclusions from the CPG for for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic infection of hepatitis viral C of the EsSalud.

ABSTRACT Soil maps provide a method for graphically communicating what is known about the spatial distribution of soil properties in nature. We proposed an optimized pipeline, named dino-soil toolbox, programmed in the R software for mapping quantitative and categorical properties of legacy soil data. The pipeline, composed of four main modules (data preprocessing, covariates selection, exploratory data analysis and modeling), was tested across a study area of 14,537 km 2 located between the departments of Cesar and Magdalena, Colombia. We assessed the feasibility of the toolbox to model three soil properties: pH at two depth intervals (0.00-0.30 and 0.30-1.00 m), soil taxonomy (great group) and taxonomic family by particle-size, according to a set of 25 environmental factors derived from auxiliary layers of climate, land cover and terrain. As a result, we successfully deployed the proposed semi-automatic and sequential pipeline, yielding rapid digital soil mapping (DSM) outputs across the study area. By providing multiple outputs such as tables, charts, maps, and geospatial data in four main modules, the pipeline offers considerable robustness to support outcomes and analysis of a DSM project. Future studies might be interesting to expand on further machine learning frameworks for predictive modeling of soil properties such as ensembles and deep learning models, which have shown a high performance for DSM.

RESUMO Introdução: Este estudo visou medir a espessura e a área transversal do tendão de Aquiles (TA) e a amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo em flexão dorsal em maratonistas amadores, em comparação com indivíduos não ativos. Objetivos: Analisar a relação entre a área transversal e a espessura do tendão de Aquiles em maratonistas e idade, características antropométricas (estatura e massa corporal), hábitos de treinamento, experiência de corrida, desempenho em maratona e amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo. Métodos: A espessura do tendão de Aquiles e a área transversal foram medidas por meio de imagens de ultrassom da perna esquerda em 97 maratonistas amadores do sexo masculino (idade 42,0 ± 9,6 anos; altura 175 ± 6 cm; massa corporal 73,7 ± 8,6 kg) e 47 controles (39,9 ± 11,6 anos; 176 ± 7 cm; 79,6 ± 16,1 kg). Resultados: A espessura (4,81 ± 0,77 vs. 4,60 ± 0,66 mm; p = 0,01) e a secção transversal (60,41 ± 14,36 vs. 53,62 ± 9,90 mm2; p < 0,01) do tendão de Aquiles foram superiores nos maratonistas do que nos indivíduos não ativos. Verificou-se correlação fraca, mas significativa, entre espessura do tendão de Aquiles com os anos de experiência em corrida. Além disso, os maratonistas tiveram aumento da amplitude de movimento da articulação do tornozelo (81,81 ± 6,93 vs. 77,86 ± 7,27 graus; p < 0,01). Conclusão: Os maratonistas amadores do sexo masculino têm hipertrofia do tendão de Aquiles em comparação com indivíduos não ativos e esse aumento é mediado pela experiência em corrida. Além disso, a amplitude de movimento na flexão dorsal da articulação do tornozelo é favorecida pelo treinamento de maratona. Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study aimed to measure thickness and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (AT), and the range of motion of the ankle joint in dorsiflexion of amateur marathon runners compared to non-active people. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between cross-sectional area and thickness of the Achilles tendon in marathon runners and age, anthropometric characteristics (height and body mass), training habits, running experience, marathon performance, and range of motion in the ankle joint. Methods: Achilles tendon thickness and cross-sectional area were measured using ultrasound images of the left leg in 97 male amateur marathon runners (age 42.0 ± 9.6 years; height 175 ± 6 cm; and body mass 73.7 ± 8.6 kg), and 47 controls (39.9 ± 11.6 years; 176 ± 7 cm; 79.6 ± 16.1 kg). Results: Achilles tendon thickness (4.81 ± 0.77 vs. 4.60 ± 0.66 mm; p = 0.01) and cross-sectional area (60.41 ± 14.36 vs. 53.62 ± 9.90 mm2; p < 0.01) were greater in the marathon runners than in non-active people. Achilles tendon thickness has been correlated, in a weak but significant manner, with years of running experience. Moreover, marathon runners showed increased ankle range of motion (81.81 ± 6.93 vs. 77.86 ± 7.27 grades; p<0.01). Conclusion: Male amateur marathon runners have hypertrophy of the Achilles tendon compared to non-active people, and this enlargement is mediated by running experience. In addition, range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion is favored by marathon training. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.

RESUMEN Introducción: Este estudio buscó medir el espesor y el área transversal del tendón de Aquiles (TA), y la amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo en flexión dorsal en maratonianos amateur en comparación con individuos no activos. Objetivos: Analizar la relación entre el área transversal y el grosor del tendón de Aquiles en maratonianos y edad, características antropométricas (estatura y masa corporal), hábitos de entrenamiento, experiencia en carrera, desempeño en maratón y amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo. Métodos: Fueron medidos el grosor y el área transversal del tendón de Aquiles por medio de imágenes de la pierna izquierda a 97 maratonianos amateur del sexo masculino (edad 42,0 ± 9,6 años; altura 175 ± 6 cm; masa corporal 73,7 ± 8,6 kg), y 47 controles (39,9 ± 11,6 años; 176 ± 7 cm; 79,6 ± 16,1 kg). Resultados: El grosor (4,81 ± 0,77 vs. 4,60 ± 0,66 mm; p = 0,01) y la sección transversal (60,41 ± 14,36 vs. 53,62 ± 9,90 mm2; p < 0.01) fueron superiores en los maratonianos que en los individuos no activos. Se verificó correlación débil, aunque significativa, entre grosor del tendón de Aquiles con los años de experiencia en carrera. Además, los maratonianos tuvieron aumento de la amplitud de movimiento de la articulación del tobillo (81,81 ± 6,93 vs. 77,86 ± 7,27 grados; p<0,01). Conclusión: Los maratonianos amateur del sexo masculino tienen hipertrofia del tendón de Aquiles en comparación con individuos no activos, y ese aumento es mediado por la experiencia en carrera. Además, la amplitud de movimiento en la flexión dorsal de la articulación del tobillo es favorecida por el entrenamiento de maratón. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio retrospectivo.

ABSTRACT Descriptive study in which 24 urine samples from older adults with urinary tract infection (UTI), from nursing homes, were evaluated; in order to identify differences in the immune and biochemical response from older adults with UTI by Escherichia coli (E. coli) to major virulence factors in the pathogenesis of UTI. Iron concentration, TNF-α, IL-1β and antioxidant capacity in urine were determined. A relation was found between, an increase in iron and red blood cell concentration in urine, and the presence of the pap GII gene found in E. coli. It is concluded that older adults, with UTIs by E. coli with the gene pap GII, have increased tissue damage.

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de evidenciar diferencias en la respuesta inmunológica y bioquímica de ancianos con infección del tracto urinario (ITU) por Escherichia coli (E. coli) frente a factores de virulencia de importancia en la patogenia de la ITU, se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el cual se evaluaron 24 muestras de orina de adultos mayores con ITU provenientes de centros de reposo gerontológicos. Se determinó la concentración de hierro, TNF-α, IL-1β y la capacidad antioxidante en la orina, encontrándose una relación entre una mayor concentración de hierro y de hematíes en la orina con la presencia del gen pap GII en la E. coli. Se concluye que los adultos mayores con ITU por E. coli portadoras del gen pap GII, presentan mayor daño tisular.

ABSTRACT Introduction. The chronic complications of type-2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increase mortality and burden of disease in Peru, then it is necessary to evaluate its prevalence and associated factors. Methods. Cross-sectional study in records of 212 adult outpatients with T2DM attended by a social security general hospital in Peru, during 2017. Results. 71,6% of patients were older than 60 years and with a time of illness less than 6 years (40,5%). 38,7% of the patients had any chronic complication, mainly nephropathy (48,8%) and neuropathy (45,1%). Hypertension (52,4%) and obesity (43,7%) were the most frequent comorbidities in outpatients with chronic complications. Complications from DMT2 were associated with the medical consultations and glycemic monitoring. Conclusions. There are risk factors associated to chronic complications of DMT2.

RESUMEN Introducción. Las complicaciones crónicas por diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DMT2) elevan la mortalidad y carga de enfermedad en Perú, siendo necesario evaluar su prevalencia y factores asociados. Métodos. Estudio transversal, analítico, en registros de 212 pacientes adultos con DMT2 atendidos por consulta externa en un hospital general del Seguro Social del Perú, durante el año 2017. Resultados. El 71,6% de los pacientes fueron mayores de 60 años y con un tiempo de enfermedad menor de 6 años (40,5%). El 38,7% de los pacientes tuvieron alguna complicación crónica, principalmente nefropatía (48,8%) y neuropatía (45,1%). La hipertensión arterial (52,4%) y la obesidad (43,7%) fueron las comorbilidades más frecuentes en pacientes con complicaciones crónicas. Las complicaciones por DMT2 estuvieron asociadas al número de consultas médicas y monitoreo glicémico. Conclusiones. Existen factores de riesgos asociados a las complicaciones crónicas de DMT2.

ABSTRACT Descriptive study in which 24 urine samples from older adults with urinary tract infection (UTI), from nursing homes, were evaluated; in order to identify differences in the immune and biochemical response from older adults with UTI by Escherichia coli (E. coli) to major virulence factors in the pathogenesis of UTI. Iron concentration, TNF-α, IL-1β and antioxidant capacity in urine were determined. A relation was found between, an increase in iron and red blood cell concentration in urine, and the presence of the pap GII gene found in E. coli. It is concluded that older adults, with UTIs by E. coli with the gene pap GII, have increased tissue damage.

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de evidenciar diferencias en la respuesta inmunológica y bioquímica de ancianos con infección del tracto urinario (ITU) por Escherichia coli (E. coli) frente a factores de virulencia de importancia en la patogenia de la ITU, se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el cual se evaluaron 24 muestras de orina de adultos mayores con ITU provenientes de centros de reposo gerontológicos. Se determinó la concentración de hierro, TNF-α, IL-1β y la capacidad antioxidante en la orina, encontrándose una relación entre una mayor concentración de hierro y de hematíes en la orina con la presencia del gen pap GII en la E. coli. Se concluye que los adultos mayores con ITU por E. coli portadoras del gen pap GII, presentan mayor daño tisular.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has put the world's governments in an unprecedented situation in which it is necessary to make quick decisions regarding the best strategies to reduce transmission. As part of these strategies, disinfection booths in the community are being implemented in many parts of the world. This document seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the disinfection booth for people to use in the community through an exhaustive search in the main bibliographic databases as well as in the main relevant institutions worldwide. After conducting the search, we found three technical documents in which the use of these technologies is not recommended because there is insufficient evidence and because they are of potential risk for people due to mucosal conditions. Another WHO recommendation document, although it does not specifically mention technology, mentions that the spraying of disinfecting substances should be avoided in people due to health risks. In conclusion, we found no scientific evidence to support the use of this technology.

RESUMEN La pandemia de COVID-19 ha puesto a los gobiernos del mundo ante una situación sin precedentes en la cual es necesario tomar decisiones rápidas con respecto a las mejores estrategias para disminuir la transmisión. Como parte de estas estrategias, en muchos lugares del mundo se están implementando cabinas de desinfección de personas en la comunidad. El presente documento busca evaluar la efectividad y seguridad de la cabina de desinfección de personas para uso en la comunidad a través de una búsqueda exhaustiva en las principales bases de datos bibliográficas así como en las prinicipales instituciones relevantes a nivel mundial. Después de realizar la búsqueda, encontramos tres documentos técnicos en los que no se recomienda el uso de estas tecnologías debido a que no hay evidencia suficiente y por ser de potencial riesgo para las personas por afección en mucosas. Otro documento de recomendación de la OMS, si bien no menciona a la tecnología específicamente, menciona que se debería evitar el rociamiento de sustancias desinfectantes en las personas por riesgos en la salud. En conclusión, no encontramos evidencia científica que respalde el uso de esta tecnología.

ABSTRACT. The species Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) is an arboreal termite, causes damage in urban and agricultural areas. Despite its economic importance, there are no studies on the basic aspects for its management in the laboratory, which will lay the foundations for the future development of control strategies. The objective of the study was to evaluate in the laboratory the survival of N. corniger at different conditions of relative humidity, temperature, humidity of the substrate and its preference for different types of wood. Relative humidities were tested between 9 and 100%, temperatures of 20, 25 and 30 oC, six substrates: pine, cedar, pink poui, eucalyptus, macuilís, coconut fiber and four substrate humidities of 0 to 60% were tested. The results indicate a significant effect on all the variables measured. The highest survival of N. corniger was had with a relative humidity of 100%, a temperature of 20o C and a humidity of the substrate of 60%, while the most preferred substrate was eucalyptus. In the appropriate percentages, the interaction of these three factors provides the best conditions for the survival of N. corniger.

RESUMEN. La especie Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) es una termita arbórea, que causa daño en zonas urbanas y agrícolas. A pesar de su importancia económica, no hay estudios sobre aspectos básicos de su manejo en laboratorio, lo cual sentará las bases para el desarrollo futuro de estrategias de control. El objetivo del estudio fue, evaluar en laboratorio la supervivencia de N. corniger a diferentes condiciones de humedad relativa, temperatura, humedad del sustrato y su preferencia a distintos tipos de maderas. Se probaron humedades relativas entre el 9 y 100%, las temperaturas de 20, 25 y 30 oC, seis sustratos: pino, cedro, tinto, eucalipto, macuilís, fibra de coco y cuatro humedades de sustrato de 0 hasta 60%. Los resultados indican efecto significativo en todas las variables medidas. La mayor supervivencia de N. corniger se tuvo con la humedad relativa del 100%, temperatura de 20 oC y humedad del sustrato de 60%, mientras que el sustrato de mayor preferencia fue el eucalipto. En los porcentajes adecuados, la interacción de estos tres factores propicia las mejores condiciones para la supervivencia de N. corniger.

Abstract Background: Variability in snake venoms is a well-studied phenomenon. However, sex-based variation of Bothrops atrox snake venom using siblings is poorly investigated. Bothrops atrox is responsible for the majority of snakebite accidents in the Brazilian Amazon region. Differences in the venom composition of Bothrops genus have been linked to several factors such as ontogeny, geographical distribution, prey preferences and sex. Thus, in the current study, venom samples of Bothrops atrox male and female siblings were analyzed in order to compare their biochemical and biological characteristics. Methods: Venoms were collected from five females and four males born from a snake captured from the wild in São Bento (Maranhão, Brazil), and kept in the Laboratory of Herpetology of Butantan Intitute. The venoms were analyzed individually and as a pool of each gender. The assays consisted in protein quantification, 1-DE, mass spectrometry, proteolytic, phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase activities, minimum coagulant dose upon plasma, minimum hemorrhagic dose and lethal dose 50%. Results: Electrophoretic profiles of male’s and female’s venom pools were quite similar, with minor sex-based variation. Male venom showed higher LAAO, PLA2 and hemorrhagic activities, while female venom showed higher coagulant activity. On the other hand, the proteolytic activities did not show statistical differences between pools, although some individual variations were observed. Meanwhile, proteomic profile revealed 112 different protein compounds; of which 105 were common proteins of female’s and male’s venom pools and seven were unique to females. Despite individual variations, lethality of both pools showed similar values. Conclusion: Although differences between female and male venoms were observed, our results show that individual variations are significant even between siblings, highlighting that biological activities of venoms and its composition are influenced by other factors beyond gender.

BACKGROUND Leishmaniases are considered a major public health problem in South America, specifically in Brazil. Moreover, the transmission and epidemiology of leishmaniasis are possibly associated with climatic and environmental variations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the association between the extreme climatic phenomenon El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the maximum and minimum variations of temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture and the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, from 2002 to 2015. METHODS The Niño 3.4 index was used for the ENSO variation. The other climatic data were obtained from the climatic tool TerraClimate. Records regarding VL were obtained from the Notification of Injury Information System. FINDINGS From 2002 to 2015, there were 3,137 cases of VL recorded in MS. The annual incidence of the disease was negatively associated with the ENSO index and soil moisture in MS. The VL incidence increased during the negative phase of ENSO and decreased during the positive phase. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that the interannual cycles of incidence of human VL are significantly associated with the occurrence of the ENSO phenomenon and its phases, El Niño and La Niña.

Resumen Antecedentes: la deficiencia de LRBA (del inglés, LPS-responsive beige -like anchor protein) es una inmunodeficiencia primaria causada por la pérdida de la expresión de la proteína LRBA, debido a mutaciones bialélicas en el gen LRBA. Los pacientes con deficiencia de LRBA exhiben un síndrome clínicamente heterogéneo. La principal complicación clínica de la deficiencia de LRBA es la desregulación inmune. Además, la hipogammaglobulinemia se encuentra en más de la mitad de los pacientes con deficiencia de LRBA. Hasta la fecha, no se han reportado pacientes con esta afección en Colombia Objetivo: Evaluar la expresión de la proteína LRBA en pacientes de Colombia con fenotipo clínico asociado a deficiencia de LRBA Métodos: En el presente estudio se evaluó la expresión de LRBA en pacientes de Colombia con fenotipo clínico asociado a deficiencia de LRBA. Después de eso, se evaluaron las características clínicas, inmunológicas y las posibles variantes genéticas en LRBA o en otros genes asociadados con el sistema inmune en pacientes que exhiben una disminución de la expresión de la proteína. Resultados: En total, se evaluaron 112 pacientes con diferentes manifestaciones clínicas asociadas al fenotipo clínico LRBA. La expresión de LRBA varía mucho entre diferentes donantes sanos y pacientes. A pesar de la gran variabilidad en la expresión de LRBA, se observaron seis pacientes con una disminución en la expresión de la proteína LRBA. Sin embargo, no se encontraron variantes bialélicas patógenas o posibles patógenas en LRBA, o en genes relacionados con el sistema inmune. Conclusión: La expresión de LRBA varía mucho entre diferentes donantes sanos y pacientes. Se observó reducción de la expresión de LRBA en 6 pacientes sin mutaciones homocigotas en LRBA o en genes asociados. Estos resultados sugieren los otros mecanismos genéticos, por ejemplo epigenéticos o ambientales, que podrían estar regulados por la expresión de LRBA

Abstract Background: LPS-responsive beige -like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency disease caused by loss of LRBA protein expression, due to biallelic mutations in LRBA gene. LRBA deficiency patients exhibit a clinically heterogeneous syndrome. The main clinical complication of LRBA deficiency is immune dysregulation. Furthermore, hypogammaglobulinemia is found in more than half of patients with LRBA-deficiency. To date, no patients with this condition have been reported in Colombia Objective: To evaluate the expression of the LRBA protein in patients from Colombia with clinical phenotype associated to LRBA-deficiency. Methods: In the present study the LRBA-expression in patients from Colombia with clinical phenotype associated to LRBA-deficiency was evaluated. After then, the clinical, the immunological characteristics and the possible genetic variants in LRBA or other genes associated with the immune system in patients that exhibit decrease protein expression was evaluated. Results: In total, 112 patients with different clinical manifestations associated to the clinical LRBA phenotype were evaluated. The LRBA expression varies greatly between different healthy donors and patients. Despite the great variability in the LRBA expression, six patients with a decrease in LRBA protein expression were observed. However, no pathogenic or possible pathogenic biallelic variants in LRBA, or in genes related with the immune system were found. Conclusion: LRBA expression varies greatly between different healthy donors and patients. Reduction LRBA-expression in 6 patients without homozygous mutations in LRBA or in associated genes with the immune system was observed. These results suggest the other genetic, epigenetic or environmental mechanisms, that might be regulated the LRBA-expression.

Abstract A discussion on the new metrics for the measurement of science and the direction that the system must take in terms of evaluation of scientific production is presented. The differentiation between some of the proposals presented to the European Commission and the AmeliCA developments is proposed. We observe the importance to recognize concepts that describe the development of science, not only from the visibility perspective, including those means derived from open science, but also the recovery of aspects such as the creation of communities, training, communicability, among other issues. The role of the metrics is highlighted especially as a tool for decision making and a form of accountability to society.

Resumen Se presenta una discusión sobre las nuevas métricas para medición de la ciencia y el direccionamiento que debe tomar el sistema en términos de evaluación de la producción científica. Se plantea la diferenciación entre algunas de las propuestas presentadas a la Comisión Europea y los desarrollos de AmeliCA. Se observa la importancia de retomar importantes conceptos que describen el desarrollo de la ciencia, no únicamente desde el punto de vista de la visibilidad alcanzada por diversos medios propuestos por la ciencia abierta, sino también el rescate de aspectos como la creación de comunidades, la formación, la comunicabilidad, entre otros asuntos. Se releva el papel de las métricas especialmente como una herramienta para la toma de decisiones y una forma de rendición de cuentas a la sociedad.