A general multivariate latent growth model with applications in student careers Data warehouses

The evaluation of the formative process in the University system has been assuming an ever increasing importance in the European countries. Within this context the analysis of student performance and capabilities plays a fundamental role. In this work we propose a multivariate latent growth model for studying the performances of a cohort of students of the University of Bologna. The model proposed is innovative since it is composed by: (1) multivariate growth models that allow to capture the different dynamics of student performance indicators over time and (2) a factor model that allows to measure the general latent student capability. The flexibility of the model proposed allows its applications in several fields such as socio-economic settings in which personal behaviours are studied by using panel data.Comment: 20 page

Influencia de la enfermedad periodontal en la evaluación de los trastornos funcionales digestivos

Fil: LASA, J. S. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigación Clínica Norberto Quirno. Departamento de Medicina Interna. Sección de Gastroenterología; Argentina.Fil: DIMA, G. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigación Clínica Norberto Quirno. Departamento de Medicina Interna. Sección de Gastroenterología; Argentina.Fil: PERALTA, A. D. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigación Clínica Norberto Quirno. Departamento de Medicina Interna. Sección de Gastroenterología; Argentina.Fil: CAGNONE, G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Clínica II de Operatoria y Prótesis; Argentina.Fil: SOIFER, L. O. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigación Clínica Norberto Quirno. Departamento de Medicina Interna. Sección de Gastroenterología; Argentina.Existe evidencias de una asociación entre las alteraciones de la flora bacteriana intestinal y el síndrome de intestino irritable (SII). Dichas alteraciones pueden ser medidas en forma indirecta mediante el test de hidrógeno en aire espirado con lactulosa (THAEL). La flora bacteriana puede verse también alterada en sujetos con enfermedad periodontal (EP). Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia de la EP sobre los resultados del THAEL

Imatinib-loaded gold nanoparticles inhibit proliferation of fibroblasts and macrophages from systemic sclerosis patients and ameliorate experimental bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

Interstitial lung involvement in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc-ILD) is a complication with high morbidity and mortality. Specifically, engineered gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are proposed as targeted delivery system increasing efficacy of drugs with antifibrotic effect, such as tyrosine kinases. We aimed to test in vitro and in vivo the activity of targeted Imatinib (Im)-loaded GNP on SSc-ILD patients derived cells and in experimental model of lung fibrosis. GNPs functionalized with anti-CD44 and loaded with Im (GNP-HCIm) were synthesized. Lung fibroblasts (LFs) and alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of SSc-ILD patients were cultured in presence of nanoparticles. GNP-HCIm significantly inhibited proliferation and viability inducing apoptosis of LFs and effectively reduced IL-8 release, viability and M2 polarization in alveolar macrophages. Anti-fibrotic effect of tracheal instilled GNP-HCIm was evaluated on bleomycin lung fibrosis mouse model comparing effect with common route of Im administration. GNP-HCIm were able to reduce significantly lung fibrotic changes and collagen deposition. Finally, electron microscopy revealed the presence of GNPs inside alveolar macrophages. These data support the use of GNPs locally administered in the development of new therapeutic approaches to SSc-ILD