Quantification by qPCR of Pathobionts in Chronic Periodontitis: Development of Predictive Models of Disease Severity at Site-Specific Level

Currently, there is little evidence available on the development of predictive models for the diagnosis or prognosis of chronic periodontitis based on the qPCR quantification of subgingival pathobionts. Our objectives were to: (1) analyze and internally validate pathobiont-based models that could be used to distinguish different periodontal conditions at site-specific level within the same patient with chronic periodontitis; (2) develop nomograms derived from predictive models. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from control and periodontal sites (probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss 4 mm, respectively) from 40 patients with moderate-severe generalized chronic periodontitis. The samples were analyzed by qPCR using TaqMan probes and specific primers to determine the concentrations of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Parvimonas micra (Pm), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), and Treponema denticola (Td). The pathobiont-based models were obtained using multivariate binary logistic regression. The best models were selected according to specified criteria. The discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and numerous classification measures were thus obtained. The nomograms were built based on the best predictive models. Eight bacterial cluster-based models showed an area under the curve (AUC) ≥0.760 and a sensitivity and specificity ≥75.0%. The PiTfFn cluster showed an AUC of 0.773 (sensitivity and specificity = 75.0%). When Pm and AaPm were incorporated in the TdPiTfFn cluster, we detected the two best predictive models with an AUC of 0.788 and 0.789, respectively (sensitivity and specificity = 77.5%). The TdPiTfAa cluster had an AUC of 0.785 (sensitivity and specificity = 75.0%). When Pm was incorporated in this cluster, a new predictive model appeared with better AUC and specificity values (0.787 and 80.0%, respectively). Distinct clusters formed by species with different etiopathogenic role (belonging to different Socransky’s complexes) had a good predictive accuracy for distinguishing a site with periodontal destruction in a periodontal patient. The predictive clusters with the lowest number of bacteria were PiTfFn and TdPiTfAa, while TdPiTfAaFnPm had the highest number. In all the developed nomograms, high concentrations of these clusters were associated with an increased probability of having a periodontal site in a patient with chronic periodontitisThis work was supported by the EM2014/025 project from the Regional Ministry of Culture, Education and University (regional government of Galicia, Spain), which is integrated in the Regional Plan of Research, Innovation and Development 2011–2015; and grants PI13/02390-PI16/01163 awarded to MT within the State Plan for R+D+I 2013–2016 (National Plan for Scientific Research, Technological Development and Innovation 2008–2011) and co-financed by the ISCIII-Deputy General Directorate of evaluation and Promotion of Research-European Regional Development Fund “A way of Making Europe” and Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDERS

Cytokine thresholds in gingival crevicular fluid with potential diagnosis of chronic periodontitis differentiating by smoking status

The objective of the present study was to determine cytokine thresholds derived from predictive models for the diagnosis of chronic periodontitis, differentiating by smoking status. Seventy-five periodontally healthy controls and 75 subjects affected by chronic periodontitis were recruited. Sixteen mediators were measured in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using multiplexed bead immunoassays. The models were obtained using binary logistic regression, distinguishing between non-smokers and smokers. The area under the curve (AUC) and numerous classification measures were obtained. Model curves were constructed graphically and the cytokine thresholds calculated for the values of maximum accuracy (ACC). There were three cytokine-based models and three cytokine ratio-based models, which presented with a bias-corrected AUC > 0.91 and > 0.83, respectively. These models were (cytokine thresholds in pg/ml for the median ACC using bootstrapping for smokers and non-smokers): IL1alpha (46099 and 65644); IL1beta (4732 and 5827); IL17A (11.03 and 17.13); IL1alpha/IL2 (4210 and 7118); IL1beta/IL2 (260 and 628); and IL17A/IL2 (0.810 and 1.919). IL1alpha, IL1beta and IL17A, and their ratios with IL2, are excellent diagnostic biomarkers in GCF for distinguishing periodontitis patients from periodontally healthy individuals. Cytokine thresholds in GCF with diagnostic potential are defined, showing that smokers have lower threshold values than non-smokers.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (General Division of Evaluation and Research Promotion, Madrid, Spain) and co-financed by FEDER (“A way of making Europe”) under Grant ISCIII/PI17/01722, and the Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria da Xunta de Galicia (Spain) under Grant ED431B 2017/029 and A. Regueira-Iglesias support ED481A-2017S

Desarrollo de pensamiento numérico elemental, usando situaciones problema de estructuras multiplicativas

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las estrategias utilizadas por estudiantes de segundo año de educación básica, al resolver situaciones problema de estructuras multiplicativas. La muestra la conformaron 76 estudiantes de una institución educativa colombiana. Para la recolección de la información se utilizaron entrevistas basadas en las tareas resueltas por los estudiantes. La información se procesó utilizando la técnica análisis de contenido. Los resultados evidencian el uso de diversas estrategias de solución, como el tanteo, sumas repetidas con sumandos iguales y agrupación de elementos convencionales. Varias respuestas superaron lo establecido por los estándares básicos de competencias matemáticas para ese grado. Se concluye destacando el papel de las situaciones problema y de las representaciones semióticas, ya que funcionaron como conectores de los conceptos matemáticos con elementos del contexto sociocultural

Hacia una mayor eficacia en el arbitraje: control de tiempos y costos

Este texto es la compilación de las ponencias del congreso, dedicado principalmente a la eficacia del arbitraje, al problema de los costos y al problema de la duración de los procedimientos, realizado con motivo de la conmemoración de los 25 años del Centro de Arbitraje y Conciliación.Se realiza este evento en un momento muy especial, no solo en el campo internacional, sino para Colombia. En el ámbito mundial la crisis financiera que se ha desbordado desde la última parte del año anterior, ha ocasionado el incremento de la conflictividad mercantil internacional, como lo registran todos los medios de comunicación del mundo y lo señalan autorizados comentaristas y observadores

Diapause as escape strategy to exposure to toxicants: response of Brachionus calyciforus to arsenic

Invertebrate organisms commonly respond to environmental fluctuation by entering diapause. Production of diapause in monogonont rotifers involves a previous switch from asexual to partial sexual reproduction. Although zooplankton have been used in ecotoxicological assays, often their true vulnerability to toxicants is underestimated by not incorporating the sexual phase. We experimentally analyzed traits involved in sexual reproduction and diapause in the cyclically parthenogenetic freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, exposed to arsenic, a metalloid naturally found in high concentrations in desert zones, focusing on the effectiveness of diapause as an escape response in the face of an adverse condition. Addition of sublethal concentrations of arsenic modified the pattern of diapause observed in the rotifer: investment in diapause with arsenic addition peaked earlier and higher than in non-toxicant conditions, which suggests that sexual investment could be enhanced in highly stressed environmental conditions by increased responsiveness to stimulation. Nevertheless, eggs produced in large amount with arsenic, were mostly low quality, and healthy-looking eggs had lower hatching success, therefore it is unclear whether this pattern is optimum in an environment with arsenic, or if rather arsenic presence in water bodies disturbs the optimal allocation of offspring entering diapause. We observed high accumulation of arsenic in organisms exposed to constant concentration after several generations, which suggests that arsenic may be accumulated transgenerationally. The sexual phase in rotifers may be more sensitive to environmental conditions than the asexual one, therefore diapause attributes should be considered in ecotoxicological assessment because of its ecological and evolutionary implications on lakes biodiversity

Development of numerical thinking in second year students of basic education, with the use of problem situations of multiplicative structures

ilustracionesEn este informe se presentan los resultados de un trabajo cuyo objetivo fue analizar el desarrollo del pensamiento numérico en estudiantes de segundo año de educación básica, con el uso de situaciones problema de estructuras multiplicativas de la Institución Educativa Nuevo Horizonte Paulo VI de Medellín. La muestra de informantes estuvo constituida por 76 estudiantes de segundo año, a quienes se les pidió resolver seis cuestionarios, los cuales contienen situaciones problema contextualizados de estructuras multiplicativas. La información se recogió utilizando entrevistas basadas en las soluciones dadas a las tareas que se propusieron en los cuestionarios, asimismo, la información se analizó utilizando la técnica análisis de contenido, según criterios temáticos, por agrupación de ideas básicas similares de acuerdo a las categorías de análisis previamente establecidas. Los resultados evidencian que los estudiantes usaron variadas estrategias de solución, como sumas repetidas por sumandos iguales, tanteo y agrupación de valores convencionales. Algunas de las respuestas dadas por algunos estudiantes superaron las expectativas generadas en relación con los estándares básicos de competencias en matemáticas para el segundo año de educación básica primaria, sin embargo, se debe tener en cuenta que la mayoría de los cuestionarios fueron resueltos utilizando herramientas virtuales, y no se tiene la certeza de que hayan sido resueltos por los estudiantes, sin ayuda de un adulto. Se concluye destacando la pertinencia del marco teórico utilizado, pues el papel de los registros y representaciones semióticas fungieron como elementos articuladores de los objetos matemáticos, y del uso que los estudiantes hicieron de las relaciones de orden y los valores posicionales, para dar solución a los problemas y responder las cuestiones por las que se indagaron. (Tomado de la fuente)This report presents the results of a work whose objective was to analyze the development of numerical thinking in second-year students of basic education, with the use of problem situations of multiplicative structures at the Nuevo Horizonte Paulo VI Educational Institution in Medellín. The sample of informants consisted of 76 second-year students, who were asked to solve six questionnaires, which contain contextualized problem situations of multiplicative structures. The information was collected using interviews based on the solutions given to the tasks that were proposed in the questionnaires, likewise, the information was analyzed by using the content analysis technique, according to thematic criteria, by grouping similar basic ideas according to the categories of previously established analyzes. The results show that the students used various solution strategies, such as repeated sums by equal addends trial and error, and grouping of conventional values. Some of the answers given by some students exceeded the expectations generated in relation to the basic standards of competence in mathematics for the second year of primary basic education, however, it should be taken into account that most of the questionnaires were solved by using virtual tools , and it is not certain that they have been solved by the students, without the help of an adult. It concludes by highlighting the relevance of the theoretical framework used, since the role of the records and semiotic representations acted as articulating elements of the mathematical objects, and the use that the students made of the order relations and the positional values, to solve the problems and answer the questions for which they were asked. (Tomado de la fuente)MaestríaMagister en Enseñanza de las Ciencias Exactas y Naturale

Fortalecimiento del pensamiento lógico en la solución del problemas de los estudiantes de la Escuela Normal Superior Antioqueña a través de la implementación de un centro de interés durante el año 2014

La presente propuesta de sistematización parte de la pregunta: ¿Cómo fortalecer el pensamiento lógico en la solución de problemas de los estudiantes de la Escuela Normal Superior Antioqueña a través de la implementación de un centro de interés durante el año 2014? Estas actividades se desarrollan de manera individual y colectiva en los espacios de la institución educativa dentro de los centros de interés liderados por los maestros de las diferentes disciplinas. Luego de haber participado en el centro de interés, las estudiantes manifestaron una mayor disposición para el abordaje de las matemáticas y la realización de las actividades propuestas. Así mismo, el pensamiento lógico se vio fortalecido en el análisis de los problemas, la generación de soluciones, en las actuaciones orientadas a la discusión y al logro de acuerdos con los otros, construcción de conceptos, y a la cualificación de habilidades de pensamiento.1. Preguntas iniciales. -- 1.1. Objetivo de la experiencia. -- Objetivos específicos. -- 1.2. Objeto a sistematizar. -- 1.3. Eje de sistematización. -- 1.4. Fuentes de información. -- 2. Red conceptual de la experiencia. -- 3. Recuperación del proceso vivido. -- 3.1. Reconstrucción de la historia. -- 3.2. Síntesis de la ruta de trabajo. -- 4. Reflexión de fondo. -- 4.1. Análisis y síntesis de la información. -- 4.2. Interpretación crítica del proceso. -- 5. Punto de llegada. -- 5.1. Conclusiones. -- 5.2. Divulgación de los resultados. -- 6. Listado de referencias. -- 7. [email protected]

Social and Health Equity and Equality – The Need for a Scientific Framework

Problem: Studies on health/disease often use concepts such as equity/inequity, equality/inequality, and social justice. These terms are not always clearly and precisely defined, nor are they used with the same meaning by different authors. Objective: 1) To present and analyze the concepts used in the literature on living conditions, social justice, social and health equity and inequality, and 2) to offer a conceptual framework that allows these concepts to be used in a scientific manner. Methodology: Literature review and comparison of terms used in both general and specialist dictionaries, articles, and books. Results: Broad basic definitions of terms are presented. The approach used by Latin American Collective Health and Critical Epidemiology is based on understanding the social origins of equity/inequity and their visible manifestation in the determination of equality/inequality. Conclusion: There is little agreement on the conceptualization of these terms. The critical realism developed by Latin American Collective Health and Critical Epidemiology examines equity/inequity as a social process that generates equality/inequality and enables a scientific approach to the study of both concepts

Gestational Malaria and Living Conditions in Turbo, Colombia

Background: The study of gestational malaria has focused on biomedical aspects and ignored social aspects. Objectives: To describe the socio-economic characteristics of families with and without gestational malaria in Turbo (Antioquia, Colombia). Methodology: Descriptive study using socio-economic surveys in a random sample of 84 mothers/families. Results: There was no statistically significant differences between pregnant women with and without gestational malaria in terms of the characteristics examined. The mothers were between ages 23 ±5 years, 64% of peasant origin, 14% illiterate, 61% educated to primary school level, 17% with knowledge of a particular trade. Among the 23 % of mothers doing paid work it was marginal work in all cases; 63% were direct operators and 37% were administrators/managers; average monthly income 166,000 pesos (USD $83). Spouses/partners worked as follows: 52$160). Complete nuclear families were found in 77% of cases and averaged 5.4 members each. Housing: 63% family owned; 2.5 sleepers/room; 2.5 sleepers/mosquito net. There was no anti-mosquito activity in 62% of families. Drinking/cooking water: 76% use rainfall as sole or combined source. Connection to sewage system: 59%. Home environment: 71% with vegetation and flowing/stagnant water. Waste: 26% dumped on the ground/in the water. Conclusions: The living conditions of these families are less than satisfactory. Mothers are financially dependent (80%) and those with paid employment (20%) work in marginal activities. The home environment and families’ antimalarial practices strongly favor the presence of malaria

Cytokine-based Predictive Models to Estimate the Probability of Chronic Periodontitis: Development of Diagnostic Nomograms

Although a distinct cytokine profile has been described in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with chronic periodontitis, there is no evidence of GCF cytokine-based predictive models being used to diagnose the disease. Our objectives were: to obtain GCF cytokine-based predictive models; and develop nomograms derived from them. A sample of 150 participants was recruited: 75 periodontally healthy controls and 75 subjects affected by chronic periodontitis. Sixteen mediators were measured in GCF using the Luminex 100™ instrument: GMCSF, IFNgamma, IL1alpha, IL1beta, IL2, IL3, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL10, IL12p40, IL12p70, IL13, IL17A, IL17F and TNFalpha. Cytokine-based models were obtained using multivariate binary logistic regression. Models were selected for their ability to predict chronic periodontitis, considering the different role of the cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. The outstanding predictive accuracy of the resulting smoking-adjusted models showed that IL1alpha, IL1beta and IL17A in GCF are very good biomarkers for distinguishing patients with chronic periodontitis from periodontally healthy individuals. The predictive ability of these pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased by incorporating IFN gamma and IL10. The nomograms revealed the amount of periodontitis-associated imbalances between these cytokines with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects in terms of a particular probability of having chronic periodontitisThis work was supported by project EM2014/025 from Regional Ministry of Culture, Education and University (regional government of Galicia, Spain), which is integrated in Regional Plan of Research, Innovation and Development 2011–2015S