Multivariate index of use and appropriation of ICT in schools

The present study proposes and validates empirically a multivariate index to assess the use and appropriation of ICT in school teachers, using a quantitative scale based on the UbiTAG model. Data is collected from 121 schools in Colombia, where 24 schools where intervened by a program that integrates ICT in learning environments in a local town in Colombia since 2013. The rest of the schools are located in 5 departments in Colombia, and are used as a control group in this analysis. Our findings provide empirical evidence that the theoretical model and its corresponding ntervention improves the use and appropriation of ICT with educational purposes by teachers. Using exploratory factor analysis we also validate statistically our instrument, and the usefulness of the proposed metric for ICT use in an education environment

Myc inhibition is effective against glioma and reveals a role for Myc in proficient mitosis.

Gliomas are the most common primary tumours affecting the adult central nervous system and respond poorly to standard therapy. Myc is causally implicated in most human tumours and the majority of glioblastomas have elevated Myc levels. Using the Myc dominant negative Omomyc, we previously showed that Myc inhibition is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Here, we preclinically validate Myc inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in mouse and human glioma, using a mouse model of spontaneous multifocal invasive astrocytoma and its derived neuroprogenitors, human glioblastoma cell lines, and patient-derived tumours both in vitro and in orthotopic xenografts. Across all these experimental models we find that Myc inhibition reduces proliferation, increases apoptosis and remarkably, elicits the formation of multinucleated cells that then arrest or die by mitotic catastrophe, revealing a new role for Myc in the proficient division of glioma cells

Eutanasia: Encuesta de opinión a médicos internistas y pediatras. Medellín, segundo semestre 1998

This is a descriptive cut-type study, performed during 1998 in the city of Medellin, amongst Internist and Pediatricians with the purpose of determinating their knowledge, opinions and practices of euthanasia. From the total amount of internists and pediatricians (403) registered in 1997 Hospital and Medical phonebook, 118 were inquiered, representing 29.28%. 83% were male, 63.2% under the age of 50, 54% graduated from medical school at the Universidad de Antioquia, 52.5% were internists and 89% classified themselves as christians. The great majority claimed to know euthanasia's definition, and most of them would agree with its use under certain special circumstances; some of them were evaluated on this study. More than 25% admitted to have practiced euthanasia at least once and 44% had heard or seen cases of euthanasia during their medical practice (indirect experience). In conclusion, there is a great understanding of the concept of euthanasia. Most of the specialists inquired agree with euthanasia, and at least one of every four specialists had performed euthanasia before, demonstrating that it is not an isolated phenomenon, but a crucial topic of vital importance, specially in this country, where euthanasia, although legalized 2 years ago has not been completely standarized. It is recommended to conduct further and more profound investigations on this subject to allow the public opinion, the physicians, the different governmental entities and the international community to have a better knowledge of the dimensions, and implications of euthanasia, so they can take the proper actions according to their roles in society.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, en la ciudad de Medellín durante 1998 entre Pediatras e Internistas, con el fin de determinar el grado de conocimientos, opiniones y prácticas que tienen éstos sobre la eutanasia. De el universo de 403 pediatras e internistas registrados en la Guía Médica y Hospitalaria de Medellín de 1997, se encuestaron II 8, que representan el 29.28% del total (26.06% y 32.29% respectivamente). El 83% fueron hombres, 63.2% menores de 50 años, 54% egresados de la Universidad de Antioquia (U de A), 52.5% internistas y 89% católicos. La gran mayoría de los encuestados afirmó conocer el concepto de eutanasia y estar de acuerdo con ésta dependiendo de múltiples factores, algunos de los cuales se evaluaron en este estudio. Más de la cuarta parte reconoció haber realizado ó participado alguna vez en eutanasia y un 44% admitió haber visto u oído realizarla durante su práctica médica (experiencia indirecta). Se concluyó que hay un gran conocimiento del concepto de eutanasia dentro del gremio médico estudiado, estando a favor de ésta un alto porcentaje y que, como mínimo, uno de cada cuatro médicos encuestados ha realizado eutanasia alguna vez, demostrando que ésta no es un fenómeno aislado, sino un tema de vital importancia, especialmente en nuestro país, donde a pesar de haber sido despenalizada la eutanasia desde hace 2 años, no ha sido reglamentada aÚn. Se recomienda profundizar ágilmente en este tema con más investigaciones que permitan a la opinión publica, al gremio médico, a las distintas estancias gubernamentales, y a la comunidad internacional, conocer las verdaderas dimensiones de la eutanasia y actuar al respecto, cada una de ellas de acuerdo a su función en la sociedad

Chronic disease prevalence in a population with structural hemoglobin disorders undergoing diabetes diagnosis: A bayesian approach

Background: Structural disorders of hemoglobin are a group of rare and fatal genetic diseases that disrupt the transport and exchange of oxygen in the blood, causing tissue damage and ultimately leading to chronic conditions. The hemoglobin (Hb) S variant predominantly impacts individuals of Afro-descendant heritage. A significant concentration of the Afro-descendant population in Colombia, notably 12.5 %, is found in the city of Cali. Previous research has identified this city's structural hemoglobin disorders prevalence rate of 3.78 %. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HbC, HbS, HbF, and HbA2 variants within a population who underwent HbA1c testing, as well as the prevalence of chronic diseases among patients with these hemoglobin alterations, at a high-complexity hospital in the city of Cali from 2015 to 2019. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted, involving a study population that comprised patients with both suspected and monitored diagnoses of diabetes. The cohort was selected from a high-complexity hospital in Cali. A total of 15,608 patients were included in the analysis, all of whom underwent HbA1C measurement through capillary electrophoresis, which also offers an indirect diagnosis of certain structural disorders of hemoglobin. Bayesian methods were employed for frequency analysis. Results: Among the 15,608 patients assessed, 63.6 % (n = 9920) were women. The overall prevalence of structural hemoglobin disorders was 1.98 % (n = 287, 95 % CI = 1.77 %–2.21 %). The co-occurrence of diabetes and kidney disease emerged as the most prevalent combination of pathologies observed in individuals with HbC, for both men and women across various age groups: 18–42 (58.3 % and 50.0 % respectively), 43–55 (50.0 % for both), 56–65 (50.0 % and 37.5 % respectively), and >65 years (66.7 % and 57.1 % respectively). Conclusions: The observed prevalence of the studied variants exceeded 1 %, a threshold underscored by the World Health Organization (WHO) as epidemiologically significant. Among HbC and HbS-positive patients, the elevated prevalence of diabetes and kidney disease is a guiding factor in developing proactive prevention strategies

Medición del uso y apropiación de las tecnologías digitales por parte de los docentes colombianos

Este estudio propone y valida una escala multivariada para medir el uso y apropiación de las tecnologías digitales en docentes. Considerando que el instrumento empleado no sigue un marco teórico específico, para su validación se emplearon las metodologías de análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis factorial exploratorio multinivel y a partir de encuestas de percepción diligenciadas por 5919 docentes pertenecientes a 121 instituciones educativas públicas de Colombia entre los años 2013 y 2015. Una vez verificadas las propiedades psicométricas de la encuesta, a nivel individual se estimó un índice compuesto por las dimensiones de beneficios de la tecnología, disponibilidad de recursos tecnológicos en la institución educativa, conocimiento en aspectos relacionados con las tecnologías digitales, uso de recursos tecnológicos en la práctica docente, intencionalidad del uso de tecnología en el aula de clase e institucionalización de la tecnología en la planeación escolar. A nivel grupal y considerando que un menor porcentaje de preguntas de la encuesta se asociaban directamente a la institución educativa, la metodología multinivel permitió establecer validez de las dimensiones de disponibilidad de recursos tecnológicos e institucionalización de la tecnología en la planeación escolar

Myc inhibition is effective against glioma and reveals a role for Myc in proficient mitosis

Gliomas are the most common primary tumours affecting the adult central nervous system and respond poorly to standard therapy. Myc is causally implicated in most human tumours and the majority of glioblastomas have elevated Myc levels. Using the Myc dominant negative Omomyc, we previously showed that Myc inhibition is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Here, we preclinically validate Myc inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in mouse and human glioma, using a mouse model of spontaneous multifocal invasive astrocytoma and its derived neuroprogenitors, human glioblastoma cell lines, and patient-derived tumours both in vitro and in orthotopic xenografts. Across all these experimental models we find that Myc inhibition reduces proliferation, increases apoptosis and remarkably, elicits the formation of multinucleated cells that then arrest or die by mitotic catastrophe, revealing a new role for Myc in the proficient division of glioma cells. Myc has been implicated in the development of multiple types of cancer. Here, the authors explore the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of Myc inhibition in mouse and human models of glioblastoma, an aggressive type of tumour that is often resistant to conventional therapy

Recommendations for the use of tree models to estimate national forest biomass and assess their uncertainty

International audienceAbstractKey messageThree options are proposed to improve the accuracy of national forest biomass estimates and decrease the uncertainty related to tree model selection depending on available data and national contexts.IntroductionDifferent tree volume and biomass equations result in different estimates. At national scale, differences of estimates can be important while they constitute the basis to guide policies and measures, particularly in the context of climate change mitigation.MethodFew countries have developed national tree volume and biomass equation databases and have explored its potential to decrease uncertainty of volume and biomasttags estimates. With the launch of the GlobAllomeTree webplatform, most countries in the world could have access to country-specific databases. The aim of this article is to recommend approaches for assessing tree and forest volume and biomass at national level with the lowest uncertainty. The article highlights the crucial need to link allometric equation development with national forest inventory planning efforts.ResultsModels must represent the tree population considered. Data availability; technical, financial, and human capacities; and biophysical context, among other factors, will influence the calculation process.ConclusionThree options are proposed to improve accuracy of national forest assessment depending on identified contexts. Further improvements could be obtained through improved forest stratification and additional non-destructive field campaigns

An overview of existing and promising technologies for national forest monitoring

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Guidelines for documenting and reporting tree allometric equations

International audienceGiven the pressing need to quantify carbon fluxes associated with terrestrial vegetation dynamics, an increasing number of researchers have sought to improve estimates of tree volume, biomass, and carbon stocks. Tree allometric equations are critical tools for such purpose and have the potential to improve our understanding about carbon sequestration in woody vegetation, to support the implementation of policies and mechanisms designed to mitigate climate change (e.g. CDM and REDD+; Agrawal et al. 2011), to calculate costs and benefits associated with forest carbon projects, and to improve bioenergy systems and sustainable forest management