The Devil is in the Details. Sex Differences in Simple Bargaining Games

The study of gender differences in social preferences has shown mixed results, preventing economists and other social scientists from drawing definitive conclusions on this topic. Several original investigations and experimental reviews have hypothesized that the main reason of this heterogeneity of results is the myriad of experimental designs used to study gender differences. In this paper we test this hypothesis by making male and female participants to face two different but related experimental games and two different information treatments. Through this 2x2 factorial design, we obtain results in line with some recent papers: women are sensitive to the design and context of the experiment in ways that men are not. In addition, we go further providing a well-grounded account on the importance of the context for female decision-making

Gene expression study using real-time PCR identifies an NTR gene as a major marker of resistance to benznidazole in Trypanosoma cruzi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chagas disease is a neglected illness, with limited treatments, caused by the parasite <it>Trypanosoma cruzi</it>. Two drugs are prescribed to treat the disease, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which have been previously reported to have limited efficacy and the appearance of resistance by <it>T. cruzi</it>. Acquisition of drug-resistant phenotypes is a complex physiological process based on single or multiple changes of the genes involved, probably in its mechanisms of action.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The differential genes expression of a sensitive <it>Trypanosoma cruzi </it>strain and its induced <it>in vitro </it>benznidazole-resistant phenotypes was studied. The stepwise increasing concentration of BZ in the parental strain generated five different resistant populations assessed by the IC₅₀ranging from 10.49 to 93.7 μM. The resistant populations maintained their phenotype when the BZ was depleted from the culture for many passages. Additionally, the benznidazole-resistant phenotypes presented a cross-resistance to nifurtimox but not to G418 sulfate. On the other hand, four of the five phenotypes resistant to different concentrations of drugs had different expression levels for the 12 genes evaluated by real-time PCR. However, in the most resistant phenotype (TcR5x), the levels of mRNA from these 12 genes and seven more were similar to the parental strain but not for NTR and OYE genes, which were down-regulated and over-expressed, respectively. The number of copies for these two genes was evaluated for the parental strain and the TcR5x phenotype, revealing that the NTR gene had lost a copy in this last phenotype. No changes were found in the enzyme activity of CPR and SOD in the most resistant population. Finally, there was no variability of genetic profiles among all the parasite populations evaluated by performing low-stringency single-specific primer PCR (LSSP-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA RAPD techniques, indicating that no clonal selection or drastic genetic changes had occurred for the exposure to BZ.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Here, we propose NTR as the major marker of the appearance of resistance to BZ.</p

Gold–palladium core@shell nanoalloys: experiments and simulations

In this work, we report a facile synthesis route, structural characterization, and full atomistic simulations of gold–palladium nanoalloys. Through aberration corrected-STEM, UV-vis spectroscopy and EDS chemical analysis, we were able to determine that Au(core)–Pd(shell) bimetallic nanoparticles were formed. Using different computational approaches, we were capable of establishing how the size of the core and the thickness of the shell will affect the thermodynamic stability of several core–shell nanoalloys. Finally, grand canonical simulations using different sampling procedures were used to study the growth mechanism of Pd atoms on Au seeds of different shapes

Validation of panoramic tomography as a tool to diagnose maxillary sinus pathologies

ABSTRACT: La identificación de desigualdades en salud es un paso hacia el análisis de inequidades, tema que preocupa a diversos actores relacionados con la salud bucal. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en identificar la distribución de los indicadores de experiencia de caries dental por superficies en la primera infancia. Métodos: estudio descriptivo a partir de los datos obtenidos en el estudio de línea de base de indicadores de salud en 623 niños y niñas menores de seis años de edad del municipio de Andes (Antioquia) en 2015. La presencia y severidad de las lesiones de caries dental se registró según el Sistema Internacional para la Detección y Evaluación de Caries (ICDAS). Se calcularon los índices de superficies cariadas, obturadas y perdidas por caries dental (cICDAS5-6 ops y cICDAS1-6 ops), las curvas de Lorenz y los coeficientes de Gini para las frecuencias acumuladas de ambos indicadores. Resultados: se encontró un c ICDAS5-6 ops promedio de 3,3 ± 7,4, así: 3,5 ± 8,0 en la zona rural y 2,7 ± 5,7 en la urbana. El promedio del c ICDAS1-6 ops fue 14,3 ± 15,1, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas por zona de residencia: 15,7 ± 15,8 en la rural y 11,3 ± 12,8 en la urbana. El análisis de la curva de Lorenz mostró desigualdad en la distribución de la experiencia de caries. Los coeficientes de Gini fueron 0,412 para el cICDAS5-6 ops y 0,284 para el cICDAS1-6 ops. Conclusión: los análisis evidencian una distribución sesgada de la caries dental en los niños y niñas menores de seis años, y una mayor desigualdad en los indicadores de experiencia de caries dental en su forma severa en el municipio de Andes.ABSTRACT: Introduction: identifying inequalities in health is a step towards inequity analysis, a topic that concerns various oral health stakeholders. The aim of the present study was to identify the distribution of indicators of early childhood caries experience. Methods: descriptive study based on data obtained from the baseline study on health indicators in 623 children under six years of age from the municipality of Andes (Antioquia) in 2015. The presence and severity of dental caries lesions were recorded following the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), calculating the indexes of decayed, missing, and filled surfaces due to caries (dICDAS5-6mfs and dICDAS1-6 mfs), as well as Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients for the accumulated frequencies of both indicators. Results: an average dICDAS5-6 mfs of 3.3 ± 7.4 was found as follows: 3.5 ± 8.0 in the rural area and 2.7 ± 5.7 in the urban area. The average dICDAS1-6 mfs was 14.3 ± 15.1, with statistically significant differences by area of residence: 15.7 ± 15.8 in the rural area and 11.3 ± 12.8 in the urban area. The analysis with Lorenz curves showed inequality in distribution of caries experience. The Gini coefficients were 0.412 for d ICDAS5-6mfs and 0.284 for dICDAS1-6mfs. Conclusion: the analyses show a skewed distribution of dental caries in children under the age of six, and a greater inequality in terms of indicators of dental caries experience in its severe form in the municipality of Andes."Medical imaging is an important diagnostic resource and a useful tool for selecting the right procedure in patients with suspected maxillofacial pathology. Some of the most common maxillofacial imaging methods include panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography, which was developed as an alternative to conventional tomography and is currently considered the gold standard for imaging the oral and maxillofacial area. Methods: two previously calibrated evaluators analyzed 100 cone beam tomographies and 100 panoramic tomographies from randomly selected patients; the methods also included: univariate analysis, measurement of central tendency, and definition of sensitivity, specificity, and positive / negative predictive value on 2 x 2 specific tables using a validity test. Results: the results show that, as a diagnostic test, cone beam panoramic tomography, in comparison to cone beam computed tomography to evaluate images compatible with sinus pathology (polyps, cysts and mucosa thickening), offers variable sensitivity and specificity depending on the type of sinus pathology, with a confidence level of 95% and a kappa coefficient value of 1 for CAT scans.RESUMEN: La imaginología es importante en la valoración diagnóstica y una herramienta útil para la selección de procedimientos en pacientes de los que se sospecha patología maxilofacial. Entre las diferentes modalidades imaginológicas maxilofaciales se encuentran la radiografía panorámica y la tomografía computarizada Cone beam, desarrollada como alternativa a la tomografía convencional, actualmente descrita como Gold standard para imaginología del área oral y maxilofacial. Métodos: observación por dos evaluadores previamente calibrados de 100 tomografías Cone beam y 100 panorámicas tomográficas de pacientes seleccionados aleatoriamente; aplicación de análisis univariado, medidas de tendencia central, y definición de la sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo en tablas específicas de 2 x 2 aplicando el estudio prueba de una prueba. Resultados: los resultados obtenidos muestran que la panorámica tomográfica tipo Cone beam como prueba diagnóstica frente a la tomografía computarizada Cone beam para evaluar imágenes compatibles con patología sinusal (pólipo, quiste y engrosamiento mucoso) tiene sensibilidad y especificidad variable dependiendo del tipo de patología sinusal, con nivel de confianza del 95% y con coeficiente de kappa con valor de 1 para las tomografías axiales computarizadas y de 0,94-1,0 para la panorámica tomográfica tipo Cone beam. Conclusión: la panorámica tomográfica Cone beam es lo suficientemente sensible y específica para ser utilizada como herramienta diagnóstica en patología de seno maxilar

High-Resolution Melting (HRM) of the Cytochrome B Gene: A Powerful Approach to Identify Blood-Meal Sources in Chagas Disease Vectors

Methods to determine blood-meal sources of hematophagous Triatominae bugs (Chagas disease vectors) are serological or based on PCR employing species-specific primers or heteroduplex analysis, but these are expensive, inaccurate, or problematic when the insect has fed on more than one species. To solve those problems, we developed a technique based on HRM analysis of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome B (Cyt b). This technique recognized 14 species involved in several ecoepidemiological cycles of the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and it was suitable with DNA extracted from intestinal content and feces 30 days after feeding, revealing a resolution power that can display mixed feedings. Field samples were analyzed showing blood meal sources corresponding to domestic, peridomiciliary and sylvatic cycles. The technique only requires a single pair of primers that amplify the Cyt b gene in vertebrates and no other standardization, making it quick, easy, relatively inexpensive, and highly accurate

Priorizando la Agricultura Sostenible Adaptada al Clima (ASAC) en Guatemala

La seguridad alimentaria en Guatemala cada vez se ve más afectada por eventos climáticos extremos como sequías prolongadas, precipitaciones intensas e irregulares, heladas entre otros. En este contexto, el Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación de Guatemala (MAGA) ha contemplado en sus políticas y estrategias de trabajo el vínculo entre la agricultura y el cambio climático, buscando fomentar la resiliencia de los productores frente a los desafíos climáticos. Estas acciones han coincidido con debates mundiales sobre el concepto de Agricultura Sostenible Adaptada al Clima (ASAC), que hace énfasis en el incremento sostenible de la productividad, mientras que se aumenta la capacidad adaptativa de los agricultores y se disminuyen las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) del sector. Con el fin de apoyar el proceso de priorización de inversiones en ASAC en el país, el programa de investigación del CGIAR en Cambio Climático, Agricultura y Seguridad Alimentaria (CCAFS, por sus siglas en inglés), el Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) y MAGA han establecido una alianza estratégica que permite potencializar las capacidades institucionales y el desarrollo de programas y proyectos sistémicos en temas ASAC. El presente documento hace referencia al estado actual y el pilotaje del proceso de priorización de inversiones en ASAC iniciado por CCAFS y CIAT en Guatemala

Gastrointestinal parasite control during prepuberty improves mammary parenchyma development in holstein heifers

Parasitism during development impairs normal growth and delays the onset of puberty through altered hormone profiles, including insulin-like growth factor one (IGF-1).Asmammary gland development during prepuberty is strongly dependent on IGF-1, we determined if antiparasitic treatment during this stage of growth improved mammary gland development. One group of Holstein heifers was treated monthly, rotationally with antiparasitic drugs from birth to 70 weeks of age, a second group was untreated. Treated heifer calves had between 56% and 65% less EPG counts than untreated ones. Presence of Ostertagia, Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus was demonstrated. Treatment effectively advanced the onset of puberty and increased IGF-1 levels. At 20, 30, 40 and 70 weeks of age biopsies from the mammary gland were taken and histological sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Pictures were analyzed to compare parenchyma area in relation to total mammary tissue between groups. Mammary samples from treated heifers had higher ratios of parenchyma/total area than untreated ones. As mammary development during prepuberty is crucial for mammary performance during lactation, these results add new evidence to the importance of gastrointestinal parasite control in heifersFil: Perri, Adrián Francisco. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Mejía, Miguel E.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Licoff, Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Diab, Santiago. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Formía, Néstor. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ornstein, Ana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Becu, Damasia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Lacau Mengido, Isabel M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentin

Gastrointestinal parasite control during prepuberty improves mammary parenchyma development in Holstein heifers

Parasitism during development impairs normal growth and delays the onset of puberty through altered hormone profiles, including insulin-like growth factor one (IGF-1). Asmammary gland development during prepuberty is strongly dependent on IGF-1, we determined if antiparasitic treatment during this stage of growth improved mammary gland development. One group of Holstein heifers was treated monthly, rotationally with antiparasitic drugs from birth to 70 weeks of age, a second group was untreated. Treated heifer calves had between 56% and 65% less EPG counts than untreated ones. Presence of Ostertagia, Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus was demonstrated. Treatment effectively advanced the onset of puberty and increased IGF-1 levels. At 20, 30, 40 and 70 weeks of age biopsies from the mammary gland were taken and histological sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin–eosin. Pictures were analyzed to compare parenchyma area in relation to total mammary tissue between groups. Mammary samples from treated heifers had higher ratios of parenchyma/total area than untreated ones. As mammary development during prepuberty is crucial for mammary performance during lactation, these results add new evidence to the importance of gastrointestinal parasite control in heifers.Escuela de Agricultura y Ganadería "María Cruz y Manuel L. Inchausti"Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Síndrome de «burnout» y apoyo social en maestros de Educación Primaria

This paper examines the relationship between burnout and perceived social support in a sample of 801 Primary School teachers. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Duke-UNC-11 questionnaire were used. The statistical method used was canonical correspondence analysis, where the linear combination of the social support factors that maximises the dispersion of values of the three dimensions of the MBI was selected. The results of the study show that perceived social support relates to each of the dimensions of burnout syndrome in a different way and that is key to restore psychosocial balance.Este trabajo examina la relación entre burnout y apoyo social percibido en una muestra de 801 maestros de Educación Primaria. Para ello se usa el Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) y el cuestionario Duke-UNC-11. El método estadístico empleado fue el análisis canónico de correspondencias, donde se seleccionó la combinación lineal de los factores del apoyo social que maximiza la dispersión de valores de las tres dimensiones del MBI. Los resultados muestran que un 20,8% de los maestros sufre burnout. El apoyo social percibido, en su carácter restaurador del equilibrio psicosocial, se relaciona de distinto modo con las tres dimensiones del burnout.</em

Caracterización del gen de la dopamina B-hidroxilasa en población mestiza colombiana

La dopamina B-hidroxilasa cataliza la conversión de dopamina en norepinefrina y es blanco promisorio de intervenciones farmacológicas. Polimorfismos del gen DBH son responsables de las diferencias individuales en el tono dopaminérgico y adrenérgico de los sistemas nervioso central y autónomo. Ya que las mutaciones defectuosas de la enzima y sus frecuencias varían entre las etnias, se justifican los estudios conducentes a la caracterización genotípica y fenotípica de la enzima en mestizos colombianos