In Latin America, hypertension prevalence varies widely, and control rates remain low, particularly in low-income communities, despite the proven efficacy of recommended interventions. We aimed to describe baseline characteristics and identify individual factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in participants of the RE-HOPE study in Santander, Colombia. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted including participants ≥18 years old with hypertension, defined by self-reported history, antihypertensive use, or systolic BP ≥ 140 and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg. Descriptive statistics were used for baseline characteristics. Mixed-effects logistic regression models stratified by sex were applied to identify factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension, adjusting for age, diabetes, obesity, medication intake, physical activity, and smoking. A total of 3 481 participants were included, with a mean age of 60.2 years (SD 13.7); 62% were female. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 144 ± 16 mmHg and 86 ± 10 mmHg, respectively. Despite high levels of awareness (81%) and medication use (76%), only 26% of participants had controlled hypertension ( < 140/90 mmHg), and 9.6% met the target below 130/80 mmHg. Control rates were higher in the capital city compared to peripheral and rural provinces. Being female was inversely associated with uncontrolled hypertension (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.52-0.75). In contrast, age ≥ 60 years (OR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.84-2.61) and current smoking (OR = 2.48; 95% CI: 1.54-4.00) were positively associated with poor control. This study highlights significant challenges in hypertension management, particularly early diagnosis and the identification of priority groups, and emphasizes the need for targeted public health initiatives and policy actions to enhance hypertension control.

Low medication adherence and low hypertension control are a public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Healthcare system- and patient-related barriers hinder the successful management of hypertension. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of barriers and facilitators to hypertension management among health system stakeholders in Santander, Colombia. We conducted a qualitative, phenomenological, and interpretative study, comprising five focus groups, to explore the barriers and facilitators to managing people with hypertension. Each focus group was formed by stakeholders from territorial entities, healthcare insurers, or healthcare providers. Meetings were held between December 2022 and February 2023. The sessions were recorded and transcribed using NVivo Transcription and analyzed using NVivo version 1.6.1. Seven categories of barriers and facilitators were identified: strategies, resources, access, risk assessment, cross-sector collaboration, articulation, and stewardship. Of these categories, articulation and stewardship emerged as the main barriers, as revealed through axial coding and cluster analysis, which highlighted deficiencies in stewardship practices, a lack of clear objectives, and misalignment with public policy frameworks. Multisectoral actions extending beyond healthcare providers and aimed at improving coordination and intersectoral collaboration are essential for enhancing hypertension control in LMICs, such as Colombia. Addressing social determinants and strengthening primary healthcare through community-based strategies are critical, making stewardship and improved access key priorities.

The swine industry annually suffers significant economic losses caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Because the available commercial vaccines have limited protective efficacy against epidemic PRRSV, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions. Nanoparticle vaccines induce robust immune responses and have become a promising direction in vaccine development. In this study, we designed and produced a self-assembling nanoparticle vaccine derived from thermophilic archaeal ferritin to combat epidemic PRRSV. First, multiple T cell epitopes targeting viral structural proteins were identified by IFN-γ screening after PRRSV infection. Three different self-assembled nanoparticles with epitopes targeting viral GP3, GP4, and GP5 proteins were constructed and mixed to generate a FeCocktail vaccine. Experiments showed that the FeCocktail vaccine effectively activated CD4 and CD8 T cells and effector memory T cells in mice. Piglets immunized with the FeCocktail vaccine generated specific antibodies and exhibited increased levels of PRRSV-specific IFN-γ produced by functional CD4 and CD8 cells. The FeCocktail also provided protective efficacy against PRRSV challenge, including mitigation of clinical symptoms, reduction of viral loads in serum and lungs, and the alleviation of lung tissue damage. In conclusion, this study offers a promising candidate vaccine for combating epidemic PRRSV, and affirms the utility of nanoparticle protein as a platform for next-generation PRRSV vaccine development.

Few studies have examined victim participation in parole processes, particularly in countries that have specific procedures for hearing victims' statements in post-conviction proceedings. This study, through in-depth interviews, explores the experiences of seven indirect victims of child sexual homicide, identifying their needs and expectations in a justice system lacking formal mechanisms for their involvement. Results emphasize the necessity for official information for families and the consequent frustration from the absence of formal participation. Parole application becomes a new challenge to the ongoing grieving process, leading to distress responses that may require specialized care. Recommendations about formal mechanisms for victim notification, participation and support during the parole process are noted to acknowledge their experience and emotional impact.

Rape followed by murder against children and adolescents is one of the most serious existing crimes. The autopsies of victims of violent crimes can provide fundamental findings for the investigative process and the pursuit of justice. This research conducts a descriptive analysis of the most important findings from the autopsies of 27 cases of children and adolescents who died in Chile between 1998 and 2021 as a result of rape followed by homicide (n = 27), as well as from the judiciary rulings of these cases to gather information related to the perpetrators. It was found that the victims of this crime are mostly girls with an average age of 10, while the perpetrators are primarily single men aged 29 on average, most of whom have not finished high school. A significant relationship was found between the location of the crime and the cause of death and signs of sexual contact, the marital status of the perpetrator and the cause of death, the age of the perpetrator and signs of sexual contact, and the relationship between victim and perpetrator and signs of sexual contact.