University of Cartagena

Purpose Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap patients (ACO) have more exacerbations and a worse prognosis than pure asthma or COPD, and it is of great interest to identify differential biomarkers of ACO. We compared blood eosinophil counts, plasma IgE and protein levels among patients with asthma, ACO, COPD, and healthy subjects to identify those associated with ACO. Patients and Methods 397 adults (age 40–90 years) were recruited from two Colombian cities: asthma (n=123), COPD (n=100), ACO (n=74) and healthy control (HC, n=100). Plasma protein levels were measured using the Proximity Extension Assay (Olink Proteomics). Results There were no differences in blood eosinophil counts between the patient groups. Total and specified IgE levels were higher in patients with ACO than in those with COPD. Ten plasma proteins showed significant differences between the patients with ACO and HC. In patients above 60 years old, CXCL9 discriminates ACO from asthma patients with AUC 0.73 (0.63–0.82, DeLong test p=0.007), and in patients below 60 years old, MCP-3 discriminates ACO from COPD patients with AUC 0.84 (0.62–1.0, DeLong test p=0.006). CUB domain-containing protein 1 (CDCP1) levels (OR, 0.47; p=0.008) and age > 60 years (OR, 0.25; p=0.001) were negatively associated with ACO. Conclusion CXCL9 levels could be used to discriminate ACO from asthma patients and MCP-3 to discriminate ACO from COPD. Protein inflammatory signatures in plasma of ACO patients were similar to the COPD group. This study revealed novel biomarkers that may help characterize patients with ACO.

Natural products obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants are increasingly recognized as promising anticancer agents due to their structural richness, including terpene and flavonoid molecules, which induce apoptosis and modulate gene expression. These compounds offer an alternative to conventional treatments, often costly, which face challenges such as multidrug resistance. This review aims to provide a promising alternative approach to effectively control cancer by consolidating significant findings in identifying natural products and anticancer agent development from medicinal and aromatic plants. It synthesizes the findings of a comprehensive search of academic databases, such as PubMed and Springer, prioritizing articles published in recognized peer-reviewed journals that address the bioprospecting of medicinal and aromatic plants as anticancer agents. The review addresses the anticancer activities of plant extracts and essential oils, which were selected for their relevance to chemoprevention and chemotherapy. Compounds successfully used in cancer therapy include Docetaxel (an antimitotic agent), Etoposide VP-16 (an antimitotic agent and topoisomerase II inhibitor), Topotecan (a topoisomerase I inhibitor), Thymoquinone (a Reactive Oxygen Species-ROS inducer), and Phenethyl isothiocyanate (with multiple mechanisms). The review highlights natural products such as Hinokitiol, Mahanine, Hesperetin, Borneol, Carvacrol, Eugenol, Epigallocatechin gallate, and Capsaicin for their demonstrated efficacy against multiple cancer types, including breast, cervical, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, prostate, and skin cancer. Finally, it highlights the need for continued bioprospecting studies to identify novel natural products that can be successfully used in modern chemoprevention and chemotherapy. Graphical Abstract

Neurogenic shock is caused by damage to the sympathetic nervous system. This can have negative outcomes in the patient, leading to excessive vasodilation, hypotension, and poor circulation. Spinal or brain damage usually continues. Disturbance in autonomous control, reduction in norepinephrine, inflammation, and excess nitrogen oxides are exacerbated. Compensation mechanisms often fail and highlight the need for improved treatment.

Background Sweet cherry is highly valued around the world for its sensory qualities. Bioactive properties play significant roles in sweet cherry quality and consumer acceptance due to its health benefits. Plant nutrition through balanced fertilizer application helps in abiotic stresses mitigation, enhancing the biosynthesis of bioactive substances. For three consecutive years, magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were applied as foliar sprays to sweet cherry trees of the Burlat cultivar, with the aim to improve phytochemical composition. Fruits from each treatment were harvested at the commercial ripening stage to evaluate cherry bioactive composition and antioxidant activity. Results Overall, the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity increased over the three trial years, reaching their highest values in 2021, highlighting the effects of continuous fertilization with Mg and K. The Mg treatments (especially Mg250 in 2019 and Mg125 in 2020) enhanced the phytochemical composition of sweet cherries by increasing total phenolics, flavonoids, ortho‐diphenols, and anthocyanin contents, as well as boosting antioxidant activity. In contrast, K treatments (mainly K50) led to a decrease in all bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The levels of individual phenolic compounds varied across treatments; however, catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside contents declined over the 3 years, while neochlorogenic acid and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside levels increased, stabilizing in 2020 and 2021. Conclusions These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing sweet cherry bioactive properties. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

WENO schemes are high order accurate shock capturing methods for hyperbolic conservation laws. In this paper theoretical stability properties are presented. In fact, we prove, assuming some reasonable hypotheses from a practical point of view , that the numerical flux is Lipschitz continuous and that the $TV(u^n)$ T V ( u n ) is uniformly bounded for all n , k with $k k < k 0 ,$nk\le T n k ≤ T . Both results give the two sufficient properties used in the convergence framework presented in Leveque (Numerical methods for conservation laws. Birkhäuser Verlag (Lectures in Mathematics), 1990).

Potatoes were first brought to Europe in the sixteenth century1,2. Two hundred years later, one of the species had become one of the most important food sources across the entire continent and, later, even the entire world³. However, its highly heterozygous, autotetraploid genome has complicated its improvement since then4, 5, 6–7. Here we present the pan-genome of European potatoes generated from phased genome assemblies of ten historical potato cultivars, which includes approximately 85% of all haplotypes segregating in Europe. Sequence diversity between the haplotypes was extremely high (for example, 20× higher than in humans), owing to numerous introgressions from wild potato species. By contrast, haplotype diversity was very low, in agreement with the population bottlenecks caused by domestication and transition to Europe. To illustrate a practical application of the pan-genome, we converted it into a haplotype graph and used it to generate phased, megabase-scale pseudo-genome assemblies of commercial potatoes (including the famous French fries potato ‘Russet Burbank’) using cost-efficient short reads only. In summary, we present a nearly complete pan-genome of autotetraploid European potato, we describe extraordinarily high sequence diversity in a domesticated crop, and we outline how this resource might be used to accelerate genomics-assisted breeding and research.

This study examines the complex factors influencing youth unemployment in Barranquilla, Colombia, focusing on the roles of education, work experience, and socioeconomic background. Employing a multi-method approach combining logistic regression, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Random Forest analysis, the research analyzes data from 2,250 young adults aged 18–28. Results show postgraduate education reduces unemployment odds by 70.92%, while each month of work experience decreases unemployment odds by 2.32%. Youths from lower socioeconomic strata face unemployment rates of 28.45% compared to 18.76% in higher strata. The Random Forest model identifies critical threshold points where education and experience yield maximum benefits. Policy implications include targeting work experience programmes to the 7–18-month period when benefits accelerate, focusing education support on completion thresholds, and combining education access with work opportunities for lower-income youth. The study advances youth unemployment research by quantifying precise threshold effects, documenting monthly experience impacts.

This study aims to design and validate an instrument to evaluate the Intrapreneurial Intentions of university students. For this purpose, the direct and positive influence that Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation exerts on the Attitude Toward Intrapreneurship and, in turn, on the Intrapreneurial Intentions of these students is analyzed. The instrument's validity and the proposed conceptual model have been studied through the multivariate method of partial least squares structural equations (PLS-SEM) in 469 university students. The results demonstrate the validity of the structural model, thus, confirming the validity of the proposed instrument because of the causal effect found between the Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation (Risk-Taking, Innovativeness, and Proactiveness) on the Attitude Toward Intrapreneurship variable and the latter's direct and positive impact on the Intrapreneurial Intentions. The most relevant implications of this study are that the higher the level of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation in university students, the greater the possibility they will develop an Attitude Toward Intrapreneurship and, hence, the intentions to carry out intrapreneurial actions.

This study proposes a methodology to assess the threat of expansive soil formation in Bucaramanga, Colombia, based on three main criteria: geotechnical properties, infiltrated precipitation (I), and temperature. The geotechnical criterion is determined using the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and Atterberg limits to assess plasticity and fines content. Infiltrated precipitation (I) is calculated using average monthly rainfall over the past ten years and an infiltration coefficient (C) that includes vegetation cover (kv), slope (kp), and soil texture (kfc). Temperature is considered for its impact on clay formation and adjusted for altitude. 101 soil samples were collected and analyzed, with climatic data from 2012 to 2022 also considered. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to apply interpolation methods (IDW and kriging) to generate thematic maps and identify risk zones. By integrating these key factors, this methodology improves the accuracy of assessing the threat of expansive soil formation, providing a more reliable tool than traditional models. It is adaptable to other regions with similar conditions, offering valuable insights for predicting expansive soils in urban settings. The study highlights how temperature, soil properties, and precipitation infiltration influence risk, making this approach an effective tool for urban planning and risk mitigation, ultimately supporting better land management practices.

The increasing proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) networks has resulted in rising energy demands, making energy management a crucial challenge for sustainable development. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of energy management strategies in IoT, focusing on energy harvesting and energy‐saving techniques aimed at reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of IoT networks. In particular, the authors explore the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar, thermal, and mechanical energy, to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the efficiency of IoT devices. Additionally, the survey highlights the security vulnerabilities that arise from energy management practices and proposes mitigation strategies to ensure secure and sustainable IoT ecosystems. The findings emphasise the importance of optimising both energy efficiency and security in future IoT deployments.

Universities are the hope of the world to promote sustainability, in them are the necessary resources to significantly impact the awareness of citizens and in this way the territories, but how to do it with curricula designed under the paradigm of the formation of subject matter experts? This manuscript presents the case study of the Software Engineering program at the University of Cartagena. The study shows a strategy to allow the University to achieve its Mission, impact the sustainable development of territories, and improve its visibility in the National Science and Technology System. The study was conducted in 7 different municipalities of Colombia, in which the program is developed. Each territory have specific problems to address in terms of Sustainable Development and different cultures. The groups of participants were composed of 4 coordinators, 42 professors, and 205 students belonging to the program. The central problem of the study focused on how to close the gap between the fulfillment of the University’s mission and the results produced by the program. The research approach was mixed. The action research method was used following the phases of Deming’s total quality cycle. The main results achieved was the design and validation of a strategy that articulate the missionary axes of the University, while promoting sustainability in the territories and increasing scientific and technological products at university. The results suggest the strategy to promote sustainability from high education.

Introduction Minimally invasive robotic surgery has increasingly gained acceptance in abdominal wall surgery. The HUGOTM robotic system, with its modular design, offers enhanced maneuverability and flexibility, making it a promising alternative platform for inguinal hernia treatment. This article aims to present our experience with robotic inguinal hernia repair using the HUGO system, focusing on clinical outcomes and the challenges encountered during the learning curve. Materials and Methods Since the introduction of the HUGOTM system in our department in January 2023, all patients undergoing robotic inguinal hernia repair with this platform have been prospectively enrolled in this study. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and analysed to assess the outcomes. Results A total of 69 inguinal hernia repairs were performed using the HUGOTM system in 40 patients, including 29 bilateral and 11 unilateral inguinal hernias. The median console time was 37 min for unilateral hernia while the total procedure time was 45 min (range 30–70 min). The median console time was 94 min for bilateral hernia while the total procedure time was 121.1 min (range 65–236 min). The median docking time for the robotic system was 9.5 min (range: 4.8–20.1 min). No intraoperative complications were observed and only postoperative hematoma was identified and treated. Conclusion Robotic inguinal hernia repair with the HUGOTM system is a safe, reproducible, and effective procedure. For teams with a strong background in robotic surgery, the learning curve with the HUGOTM system is rapid, allowing for efficient adaptation of the system to the existing workflow.

The tribe Physalideae comprises two monophyletic subtribes, Iochrominae and Physalidinae, along with the polyphyletic Withaninae. However, consensus regarding phylogenetic relationships within and between subtribes remains elusive. To contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history and relationships among Physalideae species, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast genome of 15 species, reannotated 40 plastomes of Physalideae species available from GenBank, and conducted a comprehensive comparative phylogenomic analysis of the plastomes. The analyzed complete plastomes exhibit a quadripartite structure, with Iochrominae having a larger average size, followed by intermediate sizes in Physalidinae, and the smallest in Withaninae. The number of functional genes ranged from 112 to 114 per species, with Physalidinae consistently having 114. Plastome identity was generally high, with variation more pronounced in the Large Single Copy (LSC) and Small Single Copy (SSC) regions than in the Inverted Repeat (IR) and in non-coding regions compared to coding regions. We identify nine genes under positive selection, and their differential expression could optimize processes related to photosynthesis and ribosome self-replication. Phylogenomic analyses confirm that Iochrominae and Physalidinae are monophyletic. Withaninae may be monophyletic if the genera Cuatresia and Tubocapsicum are excluded from this subtribe. Within the tribe Physalideae, we observe no relation between plastome size, number of functional genes, or identity of positively selected genes with geographic distribution or life history traits. This decoupling suggests that distinct evolutionary forces are occurring within each species or groups of species.

Corozo (Bactris guineensis H.E. Moore) is a fruit from the Colombian Caribbean region valued for its thermostable anthocyanins, which are responsible for its characteristic reddish colour. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties for an intelligent and biodegradable film design based on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) matrix incorporating a Corozo extract rich in anthocyanins, with potential applications in food packaging. Anthocyanins were extracted from Corozo fruit and evaluated throughout a central composite design (CCD) for the effects of three variables—extraction time (t), temperature (T), and solvent concentration (CS). A quadratic model (R² = 0.9586) demonstrated that the exocarp (peel) was the most effective source of anthocyanins. The best conditions were a 1:16.66 solid-to-solvent ratio at 50 °C for 75 min, yielding 38.65 mg EC3G/L. PVOH films were formulated using Corozo anthocyanin extract (CAE), which was characterised for the total anthocyanin content. Characterisation of the films revealed that the incorporation of Corozo-derived phenolic compounds did not cause significant (p < 0.05) changes in structural or water interaction properties compared to those of the control sample.

The degradation of polystyrene (PS) represents a significant challenge in plastic waste management due to its chemical stability and low biodegradability. In this study, the catalytic degradation mechanisms of PS were investigated by density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations using the hybrid functional B3LYP and the 6-311G++(d,p) basis in Gaussian 16. The influence of acidic (AlCl3, Fe2(SO4)3) and basic (CaO) catalysts was evaluated in terms of activation energy, reaction mechanisms, and degradation products. The results revealed that acid catalysts induce PS fragmentation through the formation of carbocationic intermediates, promoting the selective cleavage of C-C bonds in branched chains with bond dissociation energies (BDE) of 176.8 kJ/mol (C1-C7) and 175.2 kJ/mol (C3-C8). In contrast, basic catalysts favor β-scission by stabilizing carbanions, reducing the BDE to 151.6 kJ/mol (C2-C3) and 143.9 kJ/mol (C3-C4), which facilitates the formation of aromatic products such as styrene and benzene. Fe2(SO4)3 was found to significantly decrease the activation barriers to 328.12 kJ/mol, while the basic catalysts reduce the energy barriers to 136.9 kJ/mol. Gibbs free energy (ΔG) calculations confirmed the most favorable routes, providing key information for the design of optimized catalysts in PS valorization. This study highlights the usefulness of computational modeling in the optimization of plastic recycling strategies, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable methods.

In this work, a novel dataset containing physiological signals recorded non invasevely during structured acute stress induction, as well as aerobic and anaerobic exercise sessions is presented. The physiological data were collected using the Empatica E4, a wearable device that measures electrodermal activity, skin temperature, three-axis accelerometry and blood volume pulse, from which heart rate and heart rate variability features can be derived. A stress induction protocol was designed using mathematical and emotional tasks to elicit physiological responses. For aerobic and anaerobic exercise, a stationary bike routine was developed to distinguish between the two types of activity. The dataset includes records from 36 healthy individuals during the stress protocol, 30 during aerobic exercise, and 31 during anaerobic exercise. Several machine learning algorithms were applied to validate the dataset, with XGBoost achieving an accuracy of 93% in classifying stress versus rest, 91% in distinguishing between aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and 84% in a four-label classification task involving stress, rest, aerobic, and anaerobic activities. The dataset is publicly available for further research.

Introduction. In a previous study, we identified an inverse relationship between adverse perinatal outcomes and iron status during late pregnancy of women recruited from a maternal hospital in Cartagena, Colombia. Some of these outcomes have also been linked to maternal inflammatory states. However, there is currently no clarity regarding the relationship between iron levels and proinflammatory markers during this period.Objective. To estimate the relationship between inflammatory markers and serum ferritin in third-trimester pregnancies.Materials and methods. Serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were determined in women in Cartagena in their third trimester of pregnancy. We analyzed the relationship between ferritin levels and proinflammatory cytokines, as well as the relationship between serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and inflammatory cytokine levels with adverse perinatal outcomes.Results. The levels of IL-6 were significantly associated with serum ferritin levels (β = 0.42, SE = 0.21, p = 0.04) but not with maternal age. Maternal serum ferritin had a positive weak correlation with the absolute number of lymphocytes and monocytes. Hemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin were weakly and inversely associated with birth weight. Serum ferritin but not IL-6 or IL-8 was associated with preterm birth.Conclusions. We observed direct and mild associations of serum iron markers (serum ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) with lymphocyte counts. The inflammation marker, IL-6, was mildly associated with serum ferritin levels in late pregnancy. Women with elevated white blood cell counts and serum ferritin levels tended to have infants with lower birth weights. This fact suggests a potential involvement of iron in inflammatory processes duringpregnancy, and conditions associated with inflammation in the final trimester may have adverse effects on perinatal outcomes.