Atención y servicios de la cooperativa de ahorro y crédito Santa Anita LTDA, matriz Cotacachi y sus sucursales Atuntaqui, Mira y San Rafael

Determinar el proceso de atención y servicio de los empleados de la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Santa Anita Ltda., de su Matriz y Agencias de Atuntaqui, Mira y San Rafael.La presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar el proceso de atención y servicio de los empleados de la cooperativa de ahorro y crédito Santa Anita, diagnosticar como es la atención y servicio que brindan los empleados de la cooperativa en mención, elaborar un manual de capacitación y compromiso de los empleados y difundir el manual a todos los directivos y personal de la mencionada cooperativa

To read and to Talk: Action-Research of the Beginnings of a Dialogic Literary Gathering in Elementary Education

Resumen: En algunas escuelas se impulsan actuaciones educativas dirigidas a mejorar el gusto por la lectura y/o la comprensión lectora a través de procesos de lectura y diálogo, como las tertulias literarias dialógicas. No obstante, los centros educativos que las ponen en marcha constituyen todavía un pequeño porcentaje del total. En este artículo presentamos los resultados de una investigación-acción en la que analizamos el periodo de implementación inicial de una tertulia literaria dialógica. Los resultados muestran que con tan solo tres sesiones, la tertulia literaria dialógica tuvo un poder transformador en todas las personas envueltas en ella; sobre todo, en los niños y niñas que pasaron de tomar decisiones en base a pretensiones de poder, a hacerlo en base a argumentos: de no leer en tiempo de ocio, a hacerlo regularmente, desearlo y potenciarlo, aprendiendo e interaccionando, respetuosamente, generándose un clima de solidaridad y confianza. Las conclusiones ponen de manifiesto que detrás de esta práctica hay un enorme potencial que se hace notar no sólo en la mejora de la lectura, sino también en la disposición hacia lo escolar y la convivencia en el aula, siendo muy necesaria la extensión de las prácticas de lectura y diálogo a todos los centros educativos.Abstract: In some schools are promoted educational actions aimed to improve the reading like and the reading comprehension through a processes of reading and taking, like the dialogic literary gatherings. However, schools that put them up are still a small percentage of the total. In this article we present the results of an actionresearch in which we analyze the initial period of implementation of a dialogic literary gathering. The results show with just three sessions, the dialogic literary gathering was a transformative power in all the people involved in it, especially in children, who changed from making decisions based on claims of being able to do so on the basis of arguments, from not to read at leisure to do it regularly, desire it and empower it, learning and interacting respectfully and generating a climate of solidarity and trust. The conclusions reveal that, behind this practice, there is a potential which is noted not only in improving the reading, but also in the disposition towards the school and coexistence in the classroom, still very necessary the extension of the practices of reading and talking to all schools

Proceso de autoevaluación en pregrado con miras a la acreditación de calidad

The Law 80 of 1992 regulates, directs and defines politics concerning High Education in Colombia. It appeared conveniently in a moment when modernizing of the State and recognition of University Autonomy was required. Self-evaluation of University Academic Programs is a constant exercise, pointing towards quality improvement and obtainment of accreditation. Being the latter core of the university reflection, its process is analytic, interpretative, and comprehensive and takes decisions. This process is accomplished with support of the tasks that facilitate formative learning and, in addition, is receptive and ready to carry out the institution’s integral transformation. It also implies teachers who are permanently advancing in their profession. As a result, self-evaluation centred in teachers produces an innovated style that influences professional practice transformation, due that it develops reflection about nowadays social and scientific demands. A successful accomplishment of self-evaluation requires the institution to take for granted its leadership in favouring a broad participation of its academic community, maintaining the culture of quality evaluation and integral labour, besides the recognition of criteria, characters, variables and quality indicators. The former mentioned are present in the “Lineaments for accreditation”, a document belonging to the “National Council of Accreditation”, in its second edition. It is moreover useful to consider the model design, the structured improvement politics towards quality, all defined by the university direction board.  La Ley 30 de 1992 regula, orienta y define las políticas para la Educación Superior en Colombia. Apareció en un momento oportuno como exigencia de la modernización del Estado y el reconocimiento de la autonomía universitaria. La autoevaluación de los programas académicos en la Universidad es una práctica permanente, orientada hacia el mejoramiento de la calidad. Como eje de reflexión, es un proceso de análisis, interpretación, apertura, comprensión, toma de decisiones y mejora para la transformación integral e institucional, que se realiza acompañada de tareas que facilitan el aprendizaje profesional. Implica al profesorado en el avance permanente de su profesión. La autoevaluación centrada en la docencia, da como resultado que el profesor adquiere un estilo innovador que incide en la transformación de su práctica, al sentar las bases para una cultura de mejora de la acción docente, que se desarrollará desde su reflexión, para cumplir con las demandas sociales y científicas del presente. Para que el proceso de autoevaluación se realice con éxito, se requiere que la institución asuma el liderazgo y propicie la participación amplia de la comunidad académica, mantenga la cultura de la evaluación con juicios de calidad, trabajo que se lleva a cabo de manera integral, reconociendo los criterios, características, variables e indicadores que aparecen en el documento de “Lineamientos para la Acreditación” del Consejo Nacional de Acreditación, segunda edición 1998. Es conveniente tener en consideración el diseño del modelo, construido a partir de una política de mejoramiento de la calidad y definida por la dirección institucional. 

Single-cell imaging of α and β cell metabolic response to glucose in living human Langerhans islets

Here we use a combination of two-photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) of NAD(P)H free/bound ratio in living HIs with post-fixation, immunofluorescence-based, cell-type identification. FLIM allowed to measure variations in the NAD(P)H free/bound ratio induced by glucose; immunofluorescence data allowed to identify single α and β cells; finally, matching of the two datasets allowed to assign metabolic shifts to cell identity. 312 α and 654 β cells from a cohort of 4 healthy donors, 15 total islets, were measured. Both α and β cells display a wide spectrum of responses, towards either an increase or a decrease in NAD(P)H free/bound ratio. Yet, if single-cell data are averaged according to the respective donor and correlated to donor insulin secretion power, a non-random distribution of metabolic shifts emerges: robust average responses of both α and β cells towards an increase of enzyme-bound NAD(P)H belong to the donor with the lowest insulin-secretion power; by contrast, discordant responses, with α cells shifting towards an increase of free NAD(P)H and β cells towards an increase of enzyme-bound NAD(P)H, correspond to the donor with the highest insulin-secretion power. Overall, data reveal neat anti-correlation of tissue metabolic responses with respect to tissue insulin secretion power

Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Tools for Regenerative Therapy

[Abstract] Small extracellular vesicles released by fibroblasts from young human donors diminish lipid peroxidation in senescent cells and in different old mice organs due to their enrichment in Glutathione-S-transferase Mu lipid antioxidant activity.The London School of Medicine and Dentistry; MGU0497Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; BB/P000223/1Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CP19-0010Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad; SAF2016-78666RXunta de Galicia; ED481B 2017/11

Educación ambiental, competencia y creatividad en la formación de docentes de biología/ Environmental education, competition and creativity in the training of biology teachers

Objective: This paper explains the theoretical conception involved in the development  a creative competence for environmental education by biology teachers’ trainees giving emphasis to its framework. Methods: The authoresses rely on analytic-synthetic, inductive-deductive methods, as well as on the systemic and the functional structural systemic approaches to construct the theoretical framework and to devise the systematic conception mentioned above. Result: The finding is a description of the process of the teacher trainees’ environmental education creative competence. This process is fostered by connecting creativity to environmental education, arising an innovating atmosphere, and stimulating personal resources.  Conclusion: The development of the creative competence for environmental education is possible on the basis of a systematic conception connecting the comprehension of the environmental creative context, a creative approach to environmental education and the innovative environmental transformation.Objetivo: El artículo explica la concepción teórica que supone la lógica del desarrollo de la competencia creativa para la educación ambiental en estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Educación Biología, con énfasis en los fundamentos que la sustentan. Métodos: Se emplearon los métodos analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo, el enfoque de sistema y el sistémico estructural funcional, necesarios para establecer los fundamentos teóricos y la concepción sistémica aludida. Resultado: El resultado es un modelo teórico que permite el desarrollo de la competencia creativa para la educación ambiental del docente de biología en formación. A partir de establecer las relaciones entre competencia creativa y educación ambiental, así como la potenciación de un clima creativo pedagógico ambiental que favorezcan el desarrollo de recursos personológicos.   Conclusión: Es posible contribuir al desarrollo de la competencia creativa para la educación ambiental en los docentes de biología en formación a partir de una concepción sistémica, en la que se concibe la interacción de tres procesos: comprensión del contexto creativo ambiental, intervención creativa en actividades de educación ambiental y transformación creativa ambiental

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Human Pancreatic β-Cell Dysfunction

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Insulin Secretory Function Is Impaired in Isolated Human Islets Carrying the Gly972→Arg IRS-1 Polymorphism

Type 2 (non–insulin-dependent) diabetes results from decreased insulin action in peripheral target tissues (insulin resistance) and impaired pancreatic β-cell function. These defects reflect both genetic components and environmental risk factors. Recently, the common Gly972→Arg amino acid polymorphism of insulin receptor substrate 1 (Arg972 IRS-1) has been associated with human type 2 diabetes. In this study, we report on some functional and morphological properties of isolated human islets carrying the Arg972 IRS-1 polymorphism. Insulin content was lower in variant than control islets (94 ± 47 vs. 133 ± 56 μU/islet; P < 0.05). Stepwise glucose increase (1.7 to 16.7 mmol/l) significantly potentiated insulin secretion from control islets, but not Arg972 IRS-1 islets, with the latter also showing a relatively lower response to glyburide and a significantly higher response to arginine. Proinsulin release mirrored insulin secretion, and the insulin-to-proinsulin ratio in response to arginine was significantly lower from Arg972 IRS-1 islets than from control islets. Glucose utilization and oxidation did not differ in variant and wild-type islets at both low and high glucose levels. Electron microscopy showed that Arg972 IRS-1 β-cells had a severalfold greater number of immature secretory granules and a lower number of mature granules than control β-cells. In conclusion, Arg972 IRS-1 islets have reduced insulin content, impaired insulin secretion, and a lower amount of mature secretory granules. These alterations may account for the increased predisposition to type 2 diabetes in individuals carrying the Gly972→Arg amino acid polymorphism of IRS-1

Diastolic dysfunction following anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: incidence and predictors

[Abstract] INTRODUCTION: Cardiotoxicity represents a major limitation for the use of anthracyclines or trastuzumab in breast cancer patients. Data from longitudinal studies of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in this group of patients are scarce. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence, evolution, and predictors of DD in patients with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines. METHODS: This analytical, observational cohort study comprised 100 consecutive patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy (CHT) for breast cancer. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, echocardiogram, and measurement of cardiac biomarkers at baseline, end of anthracycline-based CHT, and at 3 months and 9 months after anthracycline-based CHT was completed. Fifteen patients receiving trastuzumab were followed with two additional visits at 6 and 12 months after the last dose of anthracycline-based CHT. A multivariate analysis was performed to find variables related to the development of DD. Fifteen of the 100 patients had baseline DD and were excluded from this analysis. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up (median: 12 months, interquartile range: 11.1-12.8), 49 patients (57.6%) developed DD. DD was persistent in 36 (73%) but reversible in the remaining 13 patients (27%). Four patients developed cardiotoxicity (three patients had left ventricular systolic dysfunction and one suffered a sudden cardiac death). None of the patients with normal diastolic function developed systolic dysfunction during follow-up. In the logistic regression model, body mass index (BMI) and age were independently related to the development of DD, with the following odds ratio values: BMI: 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.36), and age: 1.12 (95% CI: 1.03-1.19). Neither cardiac biomarkers nor remaining clinical variables were predictors of DD. CONCLUSION: Development of diastolic dysfunction after treatment with anthracycline or anthracycline- plus trastuzumab chemotherapy is common. BMI and age were independently associated with DD following anthracycline chemotherapy.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; RD06/0014/002Instituto de Salud Carlos III; RD12/0042/006

Percepciones sobre el conocimiento de la detección temprana de la ambliopía de médicos generales y pediatras de Bucaramanga

Introduction. Amblyopia is a visual disorder that arises during cortical development, and is considered the most frequent cause of preventable blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment have been demonstrated to be highly effective. However, it is often detected at a late stage, partly due to lack of knowledge. The purpose of this article is to describe the perceived knowledge of general practitioners and pediatricians in Bucaramanga on the early detection of amblyopia. Methodology. A descriptive, qualitative exploratory study was performed, by means of semi-structured interviews of 20 healthcare professionals, using the approach suggested by Taylor and Bogdan. Results. The interview results found two types of issues: shortcomings in undergraduate and graduate training, lack of infrastructure to perform the visual assessment. It also detected four sub-categories, including incorrect concepts about amblyopia, lack of clarity about the right age to perform the first-time visual assessment, and erroneous beliefs about the assessment and referral to specialized optometry and ophthalmology services. Discussion. The study found gaps in knowledge by healthcare professionals as well as the different contributing factors to this problem, and indicates the importance of strengthening this subject in the curricula. Conclusion. It is necessary to strengthen knowledge among general practitioners and pediatricians to enable the early detection of children at risk of amblyopia and reduce the burden of this disease.Introducción. La ambliopía es un desorden visual originado durante el desarrollo cortical considerándose la causa de ceguera prevenible más frecuente. El diagnóstico y tratamiento temprano han demostrado ser efectivos; sin embargo, su detección es tardía debido, en parte, a falta de conocimiento. El objetivo del presente artículo es describir las percepciones sobre el conocimiento de médicos generales y pediatras en Bucaramanga acerca de la detección temprana de la ambliopía. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo de tipo exploratorio, utilizando como técnica entrevistas semi-estructuradas a 20 profesionales de la salud, para ello se usó el enfoque de Taylor y Bogdan. Resultados. Las entrevistas permitieron identificar dos categorías: falencias en el proceso de formación del pregrado y posgrado, y barreras de infraestructura para la realización de valoración visual; además de cuatro subcategorías entre las que se identifican conceptos erróneos sobre la ambliopía, falta de claridad sobre la edad oportuna para la realización de la valoración visual de primera vez, así como imaginarios errados relacionados con la valoración y remisión a servicios especializados de optometría y oftalmología. Discusión. El estudio permitió develar la falta de conocimientos de los profesionales de la salud y las distintas causas que contribuyen a esta problemática, así como la importancia del fortalecimiento de este tema en los currículos. Conclusión. Es necesario fortalecer el conocimiento de los médicos generales y pediatras con el fin de detectar precozmente los niños en riesgo de ambliopía y reducir la carga de la enfermedad