Factores explicativos de la deserción de estudiantes de pedagogía

El objetivo del artículo es identificar los factores que influyen en la deserción de estudiantes de pedagogía, considerando sus características individuales y académicas. El estudio se realizó con 531 estudiantes de la cohorte 2009. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativo, con un diseño explicativo, longitudinal y no experimental. La información se recolectó a partir de datos secundarios, los cuales fueron analizados según el método de análisis de supervivencia, modelados a través de la regresión de riesgos proporcionales de Cox. Los resultados demostraron que las variables individuales que explican la deserción de los estudiantes corresponden al sexo y la procedencia de la región del Bio Bio. Por otro lado, las variables académicas que explican la deserción universitaria corresponden al promedio de notas de enseñanza media, el lugar en la lista de seleccionados, provenir de un establecimiento secundario científico-humanista, el total de asignaturas inscritas, el último promedio curricular y la suspensión de estudios. Se concluye que las capacidades asociadas al nivel de logro de los resultados académicos y la gestión de apoyo social para los estudiantes, se constituyen en aspectos significativos para mantener el compromiso por permanecer en el programa académico. En la medida que las capacidades y la gestión de apoyo sean positivas, los estudiantes contarán con interacciones favorables que apoyarán su participación a nivel institucional, lo cual favorecerá su desarrollo intelectual y académico. Finalmente, se concluye que a nivel de política institucional resulta relevante gestionar el apoyo de las capacidades y la adaptación de los estudiantes, ya que se contribuirá en la generación de un equilibrio positivo entre la integración académica y social, a partir de la configuración de elementos que apoyarán el desarrollo de un contexto de motivación que permitirá mantener el compromiso de los estudiantes por el logro de la meta de graduación

RNA-Seq transcriptomic profiling of primary murine microglia treated with LPS or LPS+IFNγ

Microglia, the main resident immune cells in the CNS, are thought to participate in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders. LPS and LPS + IFNγ are stimuli that are widely used to activate microglia. However, the transcriptomic profiles of microglia treated with LPS and LPS + IFNγ have not been properly compared. Here, we treated murine primary microglial cultures with LPS or LPS + IFNγ for 6 hours and then performed RNA-Sequencing. Gene expression patterns induced by the treatments were obtained by WGCNA and 11 different expression profiles were found, showing differential responses to LPS and LPS + IFNγ in many genes. Interestingly, a subset of genes involved in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease were downregulated by both treatments. By DESeq analysis we found differentially upregulated and downregulated genes that confirmed LPS and LPS + IFNγ as inducers of microglial pro-inflammatory responses, but also highlighted their involvement in specific cell functions. In response to LPS, microglia tended to be more proliferative, pro-inflammatory and phagocytic; whereas LPS + IFNγ inhibited genes were involved in pain, cell division and, unexpectedly, production of some inflammatory mediators. In summary, this study provides a detailed description of the transcriptome of LPS- and LPS + IFNγ treated primary microglial cultures. It may be useful to determine whether these in vitro phenotypes resemble microglia in in vivo pathological conditions

Validez y confiabilidad de una escala de apoyo social percibido en población adolescente

The perceived social support in adolescents can have a positive or negative influence in their health; therefore it is necessary to have the instruments to measure it. This could guide the development of health promoter strategies. Objective: To determine the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Chilean adolescents. Materials and Method:  Psychometric study, the instrument was applied to 247 high school students, with previous informed consent of the duty-bearer adult and the adolescent approval. Reliability was established through internal consistency evaluation by Cronbach’s alpha; concurrent criterion validity was established through the correlation with auto efficiency scale; and construct validity was established through factorial analysis. Results: Reliability is adequate for the total scale (=0,88) and for each subscale (= >0,76). Scale structure showed to be tridimensional as the original scale and positively related with auto efficiency. Conclusion: This instrument is reliable and valid to be used in the Chilean adolescent populationEl apoyo social percibido por los/as adolescentes, puede influir positiva o negativamente en su salud, lo que hace necesario contar con instrumentos que permitan su medición. Esto podrá orientar el desarrollo de estrategias promotoras de salud más efectivas. Objetivo: Determinar la confiabilidad y validez de la Escala Multidimensional de Apoyo Social Percibido, en población adolescente chilena. Material y Método: Estudio psicométrico, el instrumento fue aplicado a 247 estudiantes de educación secundaria, previo consentimiento informado de un adulto responsable y asentimiento de los adolescentes. Se estableció confiabilidad a través de evaluación de consistencia interna mediante alpha de Cronbach, validez de criterio concurrente a través de correlación con escala de autoeficacia y validez de constructo mediante análisis factorial. Resultados: La confiabilidad es adecuada para la escala total (=0,88) y para cada subescala (= >0,76), la estructura de la escala demostró ser tridimensional al igual que la escala original y positivamente relacionada con autoeficacia. Conclusión: Este instrumento es confiable y válido para ser utilizado en población adolescente chilena.

Developmental alterations in Huntington's disease neural cells and pharmacological rescue in cells and mice

Neural cultures derived from Huntington's disease (HD) patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells were used for 'omics' analyses to identify mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. RNA-seq analysis identified genes in glutamate and GABA signaling, axonal guidance and calcium influx whose expression was decreased in HD cultures. One-third of gene changes were in pathways regulating neuronal development and maturation. When mapped to stages of mouse striatal development, the profiles aligned with earlier embryonic stages of neuronal differentiation. We observed a strong correlation between HD-related histone marks, gene expression and unique peak profiles associated with dysregulated genes, suggesting a coordinated epigenetic program. Treatment with isoxazole-9, which targets key dysregulated pathways, led to amelioration of expanded polyglutamine repeat-associated phenotypes in neural cells and of cognitive impairment and synaptic pathology in HD model R6/2 mice. These data suggest that mutant huntingtin impairs neurodevelopmental pathways that could disrupt synaptic homeostasis and increase vulnerability to the pathologic consequence of expanded polyglutamine repeats over time

Cofradías de Arica y Tarapacá en los siglos XVIII y XIX. Indígenas andinos, sistema de cargos religiosos y festividades

Andean peoples expressed popular piety in several ways. Among them, the brotherhoods stand out as an institution inherited from colonial rule which was of great importance in the ritual congregation of the indigenous population, the construction of popular faith and the emergence of a ritual that incorporated elements of Roman Catholic liturgy, catechesis and local practices (ceremonies, dances, masks, costumes, musical instruments, melodies, etc.). This type of mutual aid religious institution, governed by a system of rotating positions, was comprised mainly of lay people who, on the basis of spirituality, the protection of a patron saint or Marian devotion, sought to promote charity and care for their members (brothers).Las poblaciones andinas expresaron de diversas formas la religiosidad popular. Entre ellas, las cofradías destacan por ser una institución heredada del régimen colonial que gravitó la congregación ritual de los indígenas, la construcción de una fe popular y el surgimiento de una ritualidad que integró los elementos de la liturgia catequética romana, así como prácticas locales (ceremonias, danzas, máscaras, vestimentas, instrumentos musicales, melodías, etc.). Este tipo de institución religiosa de socorro mutuo, regida por un sistema de cargos rotativos, estaba integrada preferentemente por laicos quienes sobre la base de la espiritualidad, la protección de un santo patrón o la advocación mariana, buscaban la promoción benéfica y asistencial para los cofrades (hermanos)

Aflatoxins Contamination in Maize Products from Rural Communities in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins that have been associated with hepatic damage and cancer. Aflatoxins B1 and B2 are secondary metabolites produced by fungi Aspergillus. These toxins can be found in a variety of commodities, especially in maize, and have been studied around the world due to their effects in human health. The Latin American population is especially exposed to aflatoxins given that maize products can be found in traditional diets all over the continent. Interestingly, in Mexico, chronic hepatic diseases and cirrhosis are leading causes of death in adult population. Methods: In order to observe the effect of physical variables like temperature and humidity, this study was conducted collecting samples in four different seasons, in two communities in the State of San Luis Potosi, in Mexico. The content of aflatoxins in tortillas was measured using immunoaffinity columns prior to HPLC-FLD analysis. Findings: Results showed that 18% of samples exceeded the Mexican limits for AFB1; whereas, 26% of the samples exceeded the limits of the European Union for AFB1. The AFB1 was detected in 80% of samples in one site and higher concentrations were found in samples collected during fall and winter seasons. Conclusions: Lack of control in storing practices is the principal cause for the contamination of maize. Considering that maize products are part of the staple diet of Mexican population, our results show that AFB1 detection has to be declared a public health priority. Detection and prevention of aflatoxins through a surveillance program, may avoid chronic health effects.<p class="abstract"

Myeloid C/EBPβ deficiency reshapes microglial gene expression and is protective in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of important pro-inflammatory genes in microglia. Mice deficient for C/EBPβ show protection against excitotoxic and ischemic CNS damage, but the involvement in this neuroprotective effect of the various C/EBPβ-expressing cell types is not solved. Since C/EBPβ-deficient microglia show attenuated neurotoxicity in culture, we hypothesized that specific C/EBPβ deficiency in microglia could be neuroprotective in vivo. In this study, we have tested this hypothesis by generating mice with myeloid C/EBPβ deficiency. Methods Mice with myeloid C/EBPβ deficiency were generated by crossing LysMCre and C/EBPβfl/fl mice. Primary microglial cultures from C/EBPβfl/fl and LysMCre-C/EBPβfl/fl mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide ± interferon γ (IFNγ) for 6 h, and gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing. Gene expression and C/EBPβ deletion were analyzed in vivo in microglia isolated from the brains of C/EBPβfl/fl and LysMCre-C/EBPβfl/fl mice treated systemically with lipolysaccharide or vehicle. Mice of LysMCre-C/EBPβfl/fl or control genotypes were subjected to experimental autoimmune encephalitis and analyzed for clinical signs for 52 days. One- or two-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis with their appropriate post hoc tests were used. Results LysMCre-C/EBPβfl/fl mice showed an efficiency of C/EBPβ deletion in microglia of 100 and 90% in vitro and in vivo, respectively. These mice were devoid of female infertility, perinatal mortality and reduced lifespan that are associated to full C/EBPβ deficiency. Transcriptomic analysis of C/EBPβ-deficient primary microglia revealed C/EBPβ-dependent expression of 1068 genes, significantly enriched in inflammatory and innate immune responses GO terms. In vivo, microglial expression of the pro-inflammatory genes Cybb, Ptges, Il23a, Tnf and Csf3 induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide injection was also blunted by C/EBPβ deletion. CNS expression of C/EBPβ was upregulated in experimental autoimmune encephalitis and in multiple sclerosis samples. Finally, LysMCre-C/EBPβfl/fl mice showed robust attenuation of clinical signs in experimental autoimmune encephalitis. Conclusion This study provides new data that support a central role for C/EBPβ in the biology of activated microglia, and it offers proof of concept for the therapeutic potential of microglial C/EBPβ inhibition in multiple sclerosis

Socialno varstvo starejših ljudi v Upravni enoti Slovenska Bistrica

La profundización de la crisis mexicana desde la década de los ochenta, y su peligrosa prolongación en los noventa tras la frustrada esperanza de la modernización integral de los primeros años, ha estado íntimante asociada al brutal impacto del endeudamiento externo y "políticas de ajuste" sobre los niveles de bienestar social, es decir, fomentando un mayor deterioro en aquellos sectores ya de por sí empobrecidos, lo que ha incidido de manera notable en los años que pertenecen a este enorme contingente. Niños abandonados, marginados, maltratados y explotados, generalmente carentes de techo y alimentación, "niños de la calle" sujetos a la peor suerte, incluido el exterminio. Esta problemática ha sido el estímulo para que un grupo de estudios de diferentes ámbitos profesionales emprendiéramos este esfuerzo interdisciplinario, asumiendo que el mismo tiene limitaciones, es decir, que está lejos de ser exhaustivo, sin embargo, cada autor ha abordado un aspecto de esta amplísima problemática con responsabilidad, conscientes de los daños a la infancia, analizando, planteando delaciones y críticas e intentando algunas propuestas específicas, mediante las cuales se pueda dar a los niños de hoy la dignidad y la estatura histórica que requieren los hombres del México futuro