Educación y cuidado de los hijos. Experiencia para madres y niños colombianos, 2003

Este trabajo analiza cómo las decisiones de tiempo de la madre y las características del hogar afectan el desarrollo de los hijos. El desarrollo de los menores es visto desde dos perspectivas: educación y cuidado infantil. Para la educación, se consideran la asistencia y la extraedad escolar de los menores, es decir, el número de años de retraso respecto al grado en que deberían estar de acuerdo con su edad. Para el cuidado infantil, se examina la elección de los padres entre las diferentes alternativas posibles para el cuidado del hijo durante el tiempo en el cual no asiste al colegio. La participación laboral de la madre y la presencia del padre en el hogar son determinantes y significativas en todos los modelos. Ellas aumentan la probabilidad de que el menor asista a la escuela y disminuyen la de que presente retraso escolar. No obstante, el hecho de que la madre trabaje horas extras afecta de manera negativa la calidad de vida de los hijos. La educación de la madre también resulta fundamental en la crianza de hijos de calidad, al igual que desincentiva el uso de alternativas no necesariamente beneficiosas para el cuidado del menor.educación, cuidado del hijo, oferta laboral femenina

El Clima i la producció d'olives a la Catalunya seca: el cas de Cabacés (el Priorat)

En un context de canvi climàtic cal estudiar les vulnerabilitats del territori a escala local. En aquest treball s'analitza la producció d'oli de qualitat en un indret de la Catalunya seca, Cabacés (el Priorat), i es posa en relació amb la variabilitat climàtica. Els resultats mostren que el clima té una influència important en la producció d'olives, sobretot les temperatures màximes del mes d'abril i les precipitacions del mes més sec, juliol. S'obté un model de regressió múltiple a partir d'aquestes dues variables climàtiques més influents en la producció. No obstant això, els valors del model s'allunyen dels reals a partir de l'any 2003 a causa d'un creixement molt elevat de la producció per l'extensió del reg de suport. Les futures vulnerabilitats no només depenen del canvi climàtic, sinó dels efectes del canvi global, fenomen que també engloba tots aquells canvis en els usos, hàbits i consums del territori.In the current context of climate change, proper studies of regional and local vulnerabilities are required. This study analyses the relationship between the high quality olive production in a municipality of southern Catalonia, Cabacés (Priorat), and climate variability. Results show the climate effects –maximum temperature in April, and rainfall in July– on olive production. Nevertheless, irrigation caused a high increase in olive production along the last decade. This fact leads to a disagreement in the multiple regressions, modelled by the climatic variables above-mentioned, after 2002. Thus, to define future vulnerabilities must be taken the global change into account, which considers climate change and other changes in land and water uses.En un contexto de cambio climático es necesario estudiar las vulnerabilidades del territorio a escala local. Este trabajo analiza la producción de aceite de calidad en una localidad de la Cataluña seca, Cabacés (Priorat), en relación con la variabilidad climática. Los resultados muestran que el clima tiene una influencia importante en la producción de aceitunas, sobre todo las temperaturas máximas de abril y las precipitaciones del mes más seco, julio. Se obtiene un modelo de regresión múltiple a partir de estas dos variables climáticas más influyentes en la producción. No obstante, los valores del modelo se alejan de los reales a partir de 2003 debido al importante aumento de la producción por la extensión del riego de soporte. Las futuras vulnerabilidades no dependen solamente del cambio climático, sino de los efectos del cambio global, fenómeno que también incluye todos aquellos cambios en los usos, hábitos y consumos del territorio

Characterization and evaluation of antifungal activity in vitro of Aloe vera fractions against postharvest fungi

Aloe vera leaves can be separated in a liquid fraction (exudate) and a mucilaginous pulp (gel). Recently, the antifungal activity of their components has been reported. The common technique for gel extraction from A. vera leaves are the traditional manual (in this case the liquid fraction is not separated) and a mechanical methods. Moreover, as a result of its processing the bagasse is obtained. The aim of this work was to recover and characterize the fractions of A. vera and to identify the fraction with highest antifungal activity against phytopathogen postharvest fungi (Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp.). A simple and inexpensive extraction method was used to obtain A. vera fractions from 50 kg leaves by means of a designed laboratory roll processor. The yields of extraction were as follows: 15.76% ± 4.0, 51.20% ± 5.20, and 33.02% ± 5.0 for gel, liquid fraction and bagasse, respectively. The three fractions were physico-chemically characterized (protein, monosaccharide composition, ashes, lipids) and resulted to be mainly composed by glucose and mannose in all the cases. Results showed the effectiveness of A. vera fractions in the growth control of phytopathogen postharvest fungi, with visible reduction of fungal growth

Elongation Factor TFIIS Prevents Transcription Stress and R-Loop Accumulation to Maintain Genome Stability

Although correlations between RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription stress, R-loops, and genome instability have been established, the mechanisms underlying these connections remain poorly understood. Here, we used a mutant version of the transcription elongation factor TFIIS (TFIISmut), aiming to specifically induce increased levels of RNAPII pausing, arrest, and/or backtracking in human cells. Indeed, TFIISmut expression results in slower elongation rates, relative depletion of polymerases from the end of genes, and increased levels of stopped RNAPII; it affects mRNA splicing and termination as well. Remarkably, TFIISmut expression also dramatically increases R-loops, which may form at the anterior end of backtracked RNAPII and trigger genome instability, including DNA strand breaks. These results shed light on the relationship between transcription stress and R-loops and suggest that different classes of R-loops may exist, potentially with distinct consequences for genome stability.Cancer Research UK FC001166UK Medical Research Council FC001166Wellcome Trust FC001166European Research Council 693327, ERC2014 AdG669898Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BFU2013-42918-P, BFU2016-75058-

The in vitro antigenicity of Plasmodium vivax rhoptry neck protein 2 (PvRON2) B- and T-epitopes selected by HLA-DRB1 binding profile

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is a neglected disease which is responsible for the highest morbidity in both Americas and Asia. Despite continuous public health efforts to prevent malarial infection, an effective antimalarial vaccine is still urgently needed. P. vivax vaccine development involves analyzing naturally-infected patients' immune response to the specific proteins involved in red blood cell invasion. The P. vivax rhoptry neck protein 2 (PvRON2) is a highly conserved protein which is expressed in late schizont rhoptries; it interacts directly with AMA-1 and might be involved in moving-junction formation. Bioinformatics approaches were used here to select B- and T-cell epitopes. Eleven high-affinity binding peptides were selected using the NetMHCIIpan-3.0 in silico prediction tool; their in vitro binding to HLA-DRB1*0401, HLA-DRB1*0701, HLA-DRB1*1101 or HLA-DRB1*1302 was experimentally assessed. Four peptides (39152 (HLA-DRB1*04 and 11), 39047 (HLA-DRB1*07), 39154 (HLADRB1*13) and universal peptide 39153) evoked a naturally-acquired T-cell immune response in P. vivax-exposed individuals from two endemic areas in Colombia. All four peptides had an SI greater than 2 in proliferation assays; however, only peptides 39154 and 39153 had significant differences compared to the control group. Peptide 39047 was able to significantly stimulate TNF and IL-10 production while 39154 stimulated TNF production. Allele-specific peptides (but not the universal one) were able to stimulate IL-6 production; however, none induced IFN-? production. The Bepipred 1.0 tool was used for selecting four B-cell epitopes in silico regarding humoral response. Peptide 39041 was the only one recognized by P. vivax-exposed individuals' sera and had significant differences concerning IgG subclasses; an IgG2 > IgG4 profile was observed for this peptide, agreeing with a protection-inducing role against P. falciparum and P. vivax as previously described for antigens such as RESA and MSP2. The bioinformatics results and in vitro evaluation reported here highlighted two T-cell epitopes (39047 and 39154) being recognized by memory cells and a B-cell epitope (39041) identified by P. vivax-exposed individuals' sera which could be used as potential candidates when designing a subunit-based vaccine. © 2018 López, Yepes-Pérez, Díaz-Arévalo, Patarroyo and Patarroyo

What is known about the immune response induced by Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine candidates?

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax continues being one of the most important infectious diseases around the world; P. vivax is the second most prevalent species and has the greatest geographic distribution. Developing an effective antimalarial vaccine is considered a relevant control strategy in the search for means of preventing the disease. Studying parasite-expressed proteins, which are essential in host cell invasion, has led to identifying the regions recognized by individuals who are naturally exposed to infection. Furthermore, immunogenicity studies have revealed that such regions can trigger a robust immune response that can inhibit sporozoite (hepatic stage) or merozoite (erythrocyte stage) invasion of a host cell and induce protection. This review provides a synthesis of the most important studies to date concerning the antigenicity and immunogenicity of both synthetic peptide and recombinant protein candidates for a vaccine against malaria produced by P. vivax. © 2017 López, Yepes-Pérez, Hincapié-Escobar, Díaz-Arévalo and Patarroyo

The consistency condition for the three-point function in dissipative single-clock inflation

We generalize the consistency condition for the three-point function in single field inflation to the case of dissipative, multi-field, single-clock models. We use the recently introduced extension of the effective field theory of inflation that accounts for dissipative effects, to provide an explicit proof to leading (non-trivial) order in the generalized slow roll parameters and mixing with gravity scales. Our results illustrate the conditions necessary for the validity of the consistency relation in situations with many degrees of freedom relevant during inflation, namely that there is a preferred clock. Departures from this condition in forthcoming experiments would rule out not only single field but also a large class of multi-field models.Comment: 26+11 page

CARACTERIZACIÓN FÍSICA-QUÍMICA-ENERGÉTICA DE PELLETS DE HOJARASCA RESIDUAL COMO BIOCOMBUSTIBLE RENOVABLE

En el campus central de la Universidad de Antioquia se generan alrededor de 2.8 ton/mes de hojarasca (base seca). El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar este material residual como alternativa energética mediante la estimación de su potencial energético y la caracterización física y termoquímica de la biomasa residual sometida a un pretratamiento de densificación (peletizado). Para la obtención del combustible se utilizó una peletizadora a escala de laboratorio (30-40 kg/h), para la preparación de los pellets se evaluó el contenido de humedad y de glicerol como agentes aglomerantes dentro de la mezcla. El material densificado posee una densidad energética entre 5500-7300 MJ/m3 frente a 2800 MJ/m3 de la hojarasca sin pretratamiento. El aumento de este parámetro muestra un mejoramiento de las propiedades energéticas del combustible para ser usado en procesos termoquímicos. Con el aumento del contenido de humedad se encuentra una disminución del 15% en la cantidad de material volátil del combustible. Evaluando las propiedades físicas se encuentra que la resistencia a la tracción de los pellets varía entre 220-240 kPa y que con el aumento del contenido de glicerol los pellets tienen una mayor capacidad de deformación (deformaciones entre 0.5-2.25 mm), lo que se relaciona con una mayor durabilidad de los pellets.

Preliminary data on cold-water corals and large sponges by-catch from Spanish/EU bottom trawl groundfish surveys in NAFO Regulatory Area (Divs. 3LMNO) and Canadian EEZ (Div. 3L): 2005-2007 period

Since 2005, by-catch of vulnerable invertebrates, such as cold-water corals and large sponges, has been studied with special attention in the Spanish/EU bottom trawl groundfish surveys in Northwest Atlantic (NAFO Divs. 3LMNO). Based on this research, twenty-nine different taxa of cold-water corals have been preliminarily identified in the study area: five alcyonaceans, ten gorgonaceans, ten pennatulaceans, three solitary scleractinians and one antipatharian. No colonial scleractinians were recorded during these surveys and reef structures are unlikely to occur in the study area. The main large sponges found belong to the family Geodiidae. The volume of cold-water corals and large sponges in the by-catches was generally low in the regularly-used fishing grounds studied. Most of the by-catches were recorded in hauls carried out in areas outside of regular fishing grounds for the bottom trawlers. By-catches of large gorgonians were recorded in three small areas located in Divs. 3LM (two in Div. 3L and one in Div. 3M), indicating that Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) could occur there. Pennatulaceans, solitary scleractinians, alcyonaceans and antipatharians were also observed as part of bycatch in some hauls carried out in Divs. 3LMO, but it is not clear if these by-catches indicate presence of VMEs in the area sampled. Highest diversity of coral species was found in Div. 3M. Large sponges occurred in deep waters, in a narrow band along Northern slope of the Grand Banks (Div. 3N) and Southern Flemish Pass (Div. 3L) as well as in several patches located in North-eastern and Eastern Flemish Cap. The preliminary information presented here, derived solely from bottom trawl survey by-catch records, it is not enough for identification of VMEs accurately, but it is very valuable to give a general view of where VMEs like to occur or not occur. Previous experience from other North Atlantic high-seas fishing grounds (e.g. NEAFC Regulatory Area) suggests that additional geohabitat mapping and information on fishery footprint will be needed for the accurate delineation of VMEs and for the subsequent adoption of suitable habitat conservation measures such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve cold-water corals and large sponges in NAFO Area

Clinical and Molecular Study of the NOG Gene in Families with Mandibular Micrognathism

Q1Pacientes con Micrognatismo mandibularObjectives: Previous studies showed that noggin gene (NOG) sequence alterations, as well as epigenetic factors, could influence mandibular development. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical characteristics, NOG gene sequences, and promoter methylation sites in patients with mandibular micrognathism. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 individuals of five Colombian families were subject to clinical and cephalometric analysis for mandibular micrognathism. One nonaffected individual of each family was included as a control. DNA was isolated from whole blood sample from all individuals by salting out method. Nine NOG gene fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Identification of CpG islands for methylation analysis at the NOG gene promoter was performed by MSP-PCR kit (Qiagen R). Statistical Analysis: A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out evaluating the presence or absence of genetics variants and the methylation sites in the NOG gene. Results: NOG sequence results of affected individuals with mandibular micrognathism for one of the families studied demonstrated that they were heterozygous for 672 C/A (new mutation). For a second family, individuals were heterozygous for 567 G/C (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] RS116716909). For DNA analyzed from all patients studied, no methylations were observed at the NOG gene promoter region. Conclusion: Our results suggested that 672 C/A and 567 G/C variants could be involved in the presence of mandibular micrognathism. Moreover, lack of methylation sites at the NOG gene promoter region of all individuals studied suggests possibly other epigenetic factors could modulate mandibular growth. The search of genetic variants related with mandibular micrognathism will allow to predict in an integral way the development patterns of the patients and therefore establish a better clinical treatment.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2112-2563https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9879-9775https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0770-9138https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2527-3593Revista Internacional - IndexadaA2N