2,036 research outputs found
Latino Access to Health Care: The Role of Insurance, Managed Care, and Institutional Barriers
The health care system in the United States is the most expensive and yet arguably among the least cost effective in the developed world (Anderson, 1998). Despite the highest per person health care spending among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations, the United States still ranks below many along a variety of health indicators (Woolhandler & Himmelstein, 1991). In a complicated health care system where the rules are many and economic forces drive both structure and function, the needs of vulnerable populations inevitably suffer. This chapter explores the consequences of these market forces on a vulnerable population--Latinos in the United States. First, the health insurance status of Latinos is reviewed in the context of employment trends and participation in various government-sponsored programs. Next, the chapter explores the impact of managed care on Latinos, as well as that of other institutional, organizational, and structural barriers that stand between this population and full access to health care
Sertaconazole antifungal profile determined by a microdilution method versus nine topical substances against dermatophyte fungi
Antifungal activity and in vitro inhibition time for sertaconazole (STZ) and 9 other topical drugs, namely amorolfine, bifonazole, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, oxiconazole, terbinafine, and tioconazole were determined against 124 clinical isolates of dermatophyte (12 species) fungi by the microdilution method in a liquid medium and the measurement of optical density. STZ's antifungal activity was not always affected by the tested dermatophyte genus, as was the case with the remaining antifungals. In vitro antifungal activity was at the same level for all the studied azole derivatives, but, in terms of partial inhibitory concentrations, STZ starts its in vitro inhibitory activity in a shorter time than the other tested substances, particularly in those incubation periods when the growth of the dermatophyte fungi was more developed.Fil: Carrillo MuĂąoz, A. J.. No especifĂca;Fil: Tur Tur, C.. No especifĂca;Fil: CĂĄrdenes, D.. No especifĂca;Fil: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂŠcnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂŠcnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentin
Poor sensitivity of fecal gluten immunogenic peptides and serum antibodies to detect duodenal mucosal damage in celiac disease monitoring
A lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only current treatment for celiac disease (CD), but strict compliance is complicated. Duodenal biopsies are the âgold standardâ method for diagnosing CD, but they are not generally recommended for disease monitoring. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of fecal gluten immunogenic peptides (GIPs) to detect duodenal lesions in CD patients on a GFD and compared them with serum anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA antibodies. A prospective study was conducted at two tertiary centers in Spain on a consecutive series of adolescents and adults with CD who maintained a long-lasting GFD. Adherence to a GFD and health-related quality of life were scored with validated questionnaires. Mucosal damage graded according to the MarshâOberhĂźber classification (Marsh 1/2/3) was used as the reference standard. Of the 97 patients included, 27 presented duodenal mucosal damage and 70 had normal biopsies (Marsh 0). The sensitivity (33%) and specificity (81%) of GIPs were similar to those provided by the two assays used to measure anti-tTG antibodies. Scores in questionnaires showed no association with GIP, but an association between GIPs and patientsâ self-reported gluten consumption was found (p = 0.003). GIP displayed low sensitivity but acceptable specificity for the detection of mucosal damage in CD.This research was funded by a grant from AsociaciĂłn Castellana de Aparato Digestivo (year 2018) to A.J.L
Wind speed variability over the Canary Islands, 1948-2014: focusing on trend differences at the land-ocean interface and below-above the trade-wind inversion layer
This study simultaneously examines wind speed trends at the land?ocean interface, and below?above the trade-wind inversion layer in the Canary Islands and the surrounding Eastern North Atlantic Ocean: a key region for quantifying the variability of trade-winds and its response to large-scale atmospheric circulation changes. Two homogenized data sources are used: (1) observed wind speed from nine land-based stations (1981?2014), including one mountain weather station (IzaĂąa) located above the trade-wind inversion layer; and (2) simulated wind speed from two atmospheric hindcasts over ocean (i.e., SeaWind I at 30 km for 1948?2014; and SeaWind II at 15 km for 1989?2014). The results revealed a widespread significant negative trend of trade-winds over ocean for 1948?2014, whereas no significant trends were detected for 1989?2014. For this recent period wind speed over land and ocean displayed the same multi-decadal variability and a distinct seasonal trend pattern with a strengthening (late spring and summer; significant in May and August) and weakening (winter?spring?autumn; significant in April and September) of trade-winds. Above the inversion layer at IzaĂąa, we found a predominance of significant positive trends, indicating a decoupled variability and opposite wind speed trends when compared to those reported in boundary layer. The analysis of the Trade Wind Index (TWI), the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) and the Eastern Atlantic Index (EAI) demonstrated significant correlations with the wind speed variability, revealing that the correlation patterns of the three indices showed a spatio-temporal complementarity in shaping wind speed trends across the Eastern North Atlantic.C. A. -M. has received funding from the European Unionâs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie SkĹodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 703733 (STILLING project). This research was also supported by the Research Projects: Swedish BECC, MERGE, VR (2014â5320), PCIN-2015-220, CGL2014-52135-C03-01 and Red de variabilidad y cambio climĂĄtico RECLIM (CGL2014-517221-REDT). M.M is indebted to the Spanish Government for funding through the âRamĂłn y Cajalâ program and supported by Grant PORTIO (BIA2015-70644-R
Sociopolitical consequences of COVID-19 in the Americas, Europe, and Asia: A multilevel, multicountry investigation of risk perceptions and support for antidemocratic practices
Although different social crises may eventually favor undemocratic and authoritarian forms of governance, at some point, such antidemocratic practices require the support of a significant part of the population to be implemented. The present research investigates how and whether the COVID-19 pandemic might have favoured greater support for antidemocratic governmental practices, on the premise of regaining control and security. Using data from 17 countries (N = 4364) and national-level indicators (i.e., real number of contagions and deaths, and sociopolitical indicators), we test how the risk of contagion and death from COVID-19, along with personal orientations (i.e., social dominance orientation [SDO], right-wing authoritarianism [RWA], and perceived anomie) motivate authoritarian and antidemocratic practices. Results from multilevel models indicate that risk perception and perceptions of political instability predict a wish for stronger leadership, agreement with martial law, and support for a controlling government especially when SDO and RWA are high, while more egalitarian and less conservative people agree less with these authoritarian measures in spite of the levels of risk perception. We discuss the implications for these findings for future research on similar but also dissimilar external events (natural disasters, war, or terror incidents) and the consequences for societies with higher authoritarian tendencies.Fil: Pizarro, JosĂŠ J.. Universidad CatĂłlica del Norte; Chile. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Cakal, Huseyin. Keele University; Reino UnidoFil: MĂŠndez, Lander. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Zumeta, Larraitz N.. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Gracia-Leiva, Marcela. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Basabe, Nekane. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Navarro-Carrillo, GinĂŠs. Universidad de JaĂŠn; EspaĂąaFil: Cazan, Ana Maria. Transilvania University of Brasov; RumaniaFil: Keshavarzi, Saeed. Independent Researcher; IrĂĄnFil: LĂłpez LĂłpez, Wilson. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Yahiiaiev, Illia. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv; UcraniaFil: Alzugaray Ponce, Carolina. Universidad Santo Tomas; ChileFil: VillagrĂĄn, Loreto. Universidad de ConcepciĂłn; ChileFil: Moyano DĂaz, Emilio. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: PetroviÄ, NebojĹĄa. University of Belgrade; SerbiaFil: Mathias, Anderson. Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila; MĂŠxicoFil: Techio, Elza M.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Wlodarczyk, Anna. Universidad CatĂłlica del Norte; ChileFil: Alfaro-Beracoechea, Laura. Universidad de Guadalajara; MĂŠxicoFil: Ibarra, Manuel L.. Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂŠxico; MĂŠxicoFil: Michael, Andreas. University of Cyprus; ChipreFil: Mhaskar, Sumeet. O.p. Jindal Global University; IndiaFil: MartĂnez Zelaya, Gonzalo. Universidad ViĂąa del Mar; ChileFil: Bilbao, Marian. Universidad Alberto Hurtado; ChileFil: Delfino, Gisela Isabel. Universidad Pontificia Comillas; EspaĂąa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂŠcnicas; ArgentinaFil: Carvalho, Catarina L.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Pinto, Isabel R.. Universidad de Porto; PortugalFil: Mohsin, Falak Zehra. Karachi School Of Business And Leadership; PakistĂĄnFil: Espinosa, AgustĂn. Pontificia Universidad CatĂłlica de PerĂş; PerĂşFil: Cueto, Rosa MarĂa. Pontificia Universidad CatĂłlica de PerĂş; PerĂşFil: Cavalli, Stefano. Scuola Universitaria Professionale Della Svizzera Italiana; ItaliaFil: da Costa, Silvia. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspaĂąaFil: Amutio, Alberto. Universidad AndrĂŠs Bello; Chile. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: Alonso Arbiol, Itziar. Universidad del PaĂs Vasco; EspaĂąaFil: PĂĄez, DarĂo. Universidad AndrĂŠs Bello; Chil
Adipose tissue concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and total cancer risk in an adult cohort from Southern Spain: Preliminary data from year 9 of the follow-up
There is an increasing trend in the incidence of cancer worldwide, and it has been accepted that environmental factors account for an important proportion of the global burden. The present paper reports preliminary findings on the influence of the historical exposure to a group of persistent organic pollutants on total cancer risk, at year 9 in the follow-up of a cohort from Southern Spain.
A cohort of 368 participants (median age 51 years) was recruited in 2003. Their historical exposure was estimated by analyzing residues of persistent organic pollutants in adipose tissue. Estimation of cancer incidence was based on data from a population-based cancer registry. Statistical analyses were performed using multivariable Cox-regression models.
In males, PCB 153 concentrations were positively associated with total cancer risk, with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.20 (1.01â1.41) for an increment of 100 ng/g lipid.
Our preliminary findings suggest a potential relationship between the historical exposure to persistent organic pollutants and the risk of cancer in men. However, these results should be interpreted with caution and require verification during the future follow-up of this cohort.This study was supported in part by research grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS 02/974, EUS2008-03574), CIBER de EpidemiologĂa; Junta de AndalucĂa (01/264, P09-CTS-5488 Project of Excellence, PI-0675-2010, and PI-0513-2012), and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI11/0610)
Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks : The GR@ACE project
Introduction: Large variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways. Methods: Genome Research at Fundacio ACE (GR@ACE) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, GR@ACE series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets. Results: We classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444. Discussion: The regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. GR@ACE meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series
A large topographic feature on the surface of the trans-Neptunian object (307261) 2002 MS measured from stellar occultations
This work aims at constraining the size, shape, and geometric albedo of the
dwarf planet candidate 2002 MS4 through the analysis of nine stellar
occultation events. Using multichord detection, we also studied the object's
topography by analyzing the obtained limb and the residuals between observed
chords and the best-fitted ellipse. We predicted and organized the
observational campaigns of nine stellar occultations by 2002 MS4 between 2019
and 2022, resulting in two single-chord events, four double-chord detections,
and three events with three to up to sixty-one positive chords. Using 13
selected chords from the 8 August 2020 event, we determined the global
elliptical limb of 2002 MS4. The best-fitted ellipse, combined with the
object's rotational information from the literature, constrains the object's
size, shape, and albedo. Additionally, we developed a new method to
characterize topography features on the object's limb. The global limb has a
semi-major axis of 412 10 km, a semi-minor axis of 385 17 km, and
the position angle of the minor axis is 121 16. From
this instantaneous limb, we obtained 2002 MS4's geometric albedo and the
projected area-equivalent diameter. Significant deviations from the fitted
ellipse in the northernmost limb are detected from multiple sites highlighting
three distinct topographic features: one 11 km depth depression followed by a
25 km height elevation next to a crater-like depression with an
extension of 322 39 km and 45.1 1.5 km deep. Our results present an
object that is 138 km smaller in diameter than derived from thermal
data, possibly indicating the presence of a so-far unknown satellite. However,
within the error bars, the geometric albedo in the V-band agrees with the
results published in the literature, even with the radiometric-derived albedo
Social class, well-being, and general affectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibero-America
La actual pandemia de la COVID-19 ha supuesto un marcado incremento de las brechas sociales preexistentes. En esta investigaciĂłn analizamos las relaciones de diferentes facetas de clase social con el bienestar y afectividad general a lo largo de un total de 8 paĂses de la regiĂłn cultural iberoamericana. Asimismo, tambiĂŠn pusimos a prueba el potencial rol mediador del riesgo percibido relativo a la COVID-19 y de la eficacia colectiva percibida. Los resultados obtenidos (a) revelaron que una clase social mĂĄs baja se relacionĂł con un menor bienestar y afecto positivo, asĂ como con un mayor afecto negativo; (b) confirmaron que la clase social subjetiva constituye un mejor predictor del bienestar y afectividad general que el nivel educativo (i.e., indicador de clase social objetiva); y (c) mostraron que los efectos de la clase social subjetiva en el bienestar/afectividad general se daban de forma indirecta a travĂŠs del riesgo percibido y la eficacia colectiva. Estos hallazgos confirman la existencia de diferencias en bienestar y afectividad general en funciĂłn de la clase social durante la pandemia, al tiempo que permiten avanzar en la com-prensiĂłn de los mecanismos psicosociales subyacentes.Esta investigaciĂłn ha sido posible gracias a los Gobiernos de EspaĂąa (PID2020-115738GB-I0; PSI2017- 84145-P; PSI2017-83966-R) y PaĂs Vasco (IT1187-19; PRE_2017_1_0405), la Universidad del PaĂs Vasco (DOCREC20/23), CONICYT (72180394) y la Universidad ViĂąa del Mar (FIIUVM-EN-1904)
Measurement of the t-channel single top quark production cross section in pp collisions at âs =7 TeV
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