Hydration of Na+, Ni2+, and Sm3+ in the Interlayer of Hectorite: A Quasielastic Neutron Scattering Study

International audienceQuasielastic neutron scattering experiments were performed with Na−hectorite, Ni−hectorite, and Sm−hectorite samples in order to find out whether Sm3+ is present in the clay interlayer as a fully hydrated cation (outer-sphere complex), or, as it follows from neutron diffraction data analysis, it is dehydrated and bound to the clay surface (inner-sphere complex). The results obtained for the Sm−hectorite were compared with other interlayer cations: strongly hydrated Ni2+ and relatively weakly hydrated Na+. It was found that water mobility in the Sm−hectorite sample is very close to the water mobility in Ni−hectorite. This is only possible if the Sm3+ ion is fully hydrated. It was shown that water molecules hydrating Ni2+ and Sm3+ exhibit diffusion mobility measurable with backscattering spectrometers. The diffusion coefficients of the exchangeable cations were found using the slow exchange approximations DNi = (0.05 − 0.14) × 10−9 m2/s and DSm = (0.04 − 0.18) × 10−9 m2/s

Comprehensive sexual education program for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy in regular basic education students. Sechura 2022

This article: "Comprehensive Sexual Education Program for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy in Regular Basic Education Students, Sechura, 2022", was investigated developing a qualitative approach of a descriptive type whose design is non-experimental, since the research problem is focuses on the following question: Is it possible to develop a comprehensive sexual education program to prevent adolescent pregnancy in students of Regular Basic Education - EBR in the province of Sechura? It should be noted that the situation regarding the problem of adolescent pregnancies constitutes a problem that affects the public health of our society; For this reason, I express my special interest in addressing this problem, since to contribute to its solution it has a lot to do with the educational issue.   The diagnosis made shows us that there is a wide misinformation on this subject, adolescents are unaware of the meaning of the term sexuality; They are also unaware of the dangers of having sex without proper protection. On the other hand, they are unaware of the use of contraceptive methods despite the fact that the vast majority of adolescents begin their sexual awakening between twelve and thirteen years of age. The research proposes the realization of an intervention program which will be applied extracurricularly, with the purpose of being able to generate significant changes in the community: students and parents. For the fulfillment of this effect, the committed participation of tutors and teachers is required, who will have the responsibility of being able to apply this proposal.El presente artículo : “Programa de Educación Sexual Integral para la Prevención del Embarazo Adolescente en Estudiantes de Educación Básica Regular, Sechura, 2022”, se investigó  desarrollando un enfoque cualitativo de tipo descriptivo cuyo diseño es no experimental, pues el problema de la investigación se centra en la siguiente interrogante: ¿Es posible desarrollar un programa de educación sexual integral para prevenir el embarazo adolescente en estudiantes de Educación Básica Regular – EBR en la provincia de Sechura? Cabe destacar que la situación respecto al problema de los embarazos adolescentes constituye un problema que afecta la salud pública de nuestra sociedad; por ello expreso mi especial interés en abordar este problema, ya que para aportar en su solución tiene que ver mucho con el tema educativo.  El diagnóstico realizado nos muestra que existe una amplia desinformación sobre este tema, los adolescentes desconocen el significado del término sexualidad; así como también no son conscientes de los peligros que encierra el hecho de mantener relaciones sexuales sin la debida protección. Por otra parte, desconocen del uso de los métodos anticonceptivos a pesar de que la gran mayoría de adolescentes inician su despertar sexual entre los doce y trece años de edad. La investigación propone la realización de un programa de intervención el cual se aplicará de manera extracurricular, con la finalidad de poder generar cambios significativos en la colectividad: estudiantes y padres de familia. Para el cumplimiento de tal efecto se requiere de la participación comprometida de los tutores y docentes quienes tendrán la responsabilidad de poder aplicar la presente propuesta

Development of indirect sandwich ELISA for determination of excretory-secretory antigens of Fasciola hepatica

La fasciolosis es una parasitosis cosmopolita de importancia médico-veterinaria ocasionada por Fasciola hepatica, que afecta al ganado ovino, caprino y vacuno; y accidentalmente al hombre ocasionando una infección endemo-epidémica de difícil diagnóstico. El objetivo fue desarrollar un ELISA sándwich indirecto, empleando 3 anticuerpos, para identificar antígenos de secreción-excreción de Fasciola hepatica (ESFh). Para el ELISA se emplearon anticuerpos policlonales de ratón anti ESFh como anticuerpos de captura, y anticuerpos policlonales de conejo anti ESFh como anticuerpos de detección, a las concentraciones de 10 y 5 µg/mL, respectivamente. Como conjugado se emplearon anticuerpos monoclonales de ratón anti-inmunoglobulinas totales de conejo ligado a peroxidasa (1/1000). Se analizaron 31 muestras de heces de ganado ovino y los resultados se compararon con los obtenidos por el examen coproparasitológico directo (CD) y contrainmunoelectroforesis (CIEF). El límite de detección obtenido para ELISA sándwich indirecto fue 100 ng/mL. La prueba presentó una sensibilidad de 100%, especificidad de 96.6% y valores predictivos positivos y negativos de 50% y 96.6% respectivamente; con relación al examen CD. Al comparar ELISA tipo sándwich indirecto con CIEF se obtuvo una especificidad de 93.5% y un valor predictivo negativo del 100%. Se concluye que la prueba de ELISA sándwich indirecto diseñada es capaz de detectar antígenos metabólicos en muestras de heces de ovino y se puede utilizar para el diagnóstico Fasciola hepatica.Fasciolosis is a cosmopolitan parasitosis medical-veterinary importance caused by Fasciola hepatica, which affects sheep, goats and cattle; and it affects man accidentally causing an epidemic-endemic infection difficult to diagnose. The aim was to develop an indirect sandwich ELISA with 3 antibodies for detecting excretory-secretory antigens of Fasciola hepatica (ESFh). For the development of indirect sandwich ELISA were used, as capture antibody, mouse polyclonal antibodies anti ESFh and polyclonal antibodies rabbit anti-ESFh as detection antibody, at the concentrations of 10 and 5 µg/mL respectively. The conjugate used was mouse monoclonal anti- total immunoglobulins rabbit linked to peroxidase (1/1000). Were analized 31 sheep fecal samples, and the results were compared with those obtained by direct coproparasitological examination (DC) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). The detection limit obtained for indirect sandwich ELISA was 100 ng/mL. The test had a 100% sensitivity, 96.6% specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 50% and 96.6% respectively, in relation to DC test. Comparing with CIEP the specificity obtained for indirect sandwich ELISA was 93.5% and a negative predictive value of 100%. We concluded that indirect sandwich ELISA designed is able to detect metabolic antigens in ovine feces samples and can be used for Fasciola hepatica diagnosis

National and sub-national under-five mortality profiles in Peru: a basis for informed policy decisions

BACKGROUND: Information on profiles for under-five causes of death is important to guide choice of child-survival interventions. Global level data have been published, but information at country level is scarce. We aimed at defining national and departmental trends and profiles of under-five mortality in Peru from 1996 through 2000. METHODS: We used the Ministry of Health registered under-five mortality data. For correction of under-registration, a model life-table that fitted the age distribution of the population and of registered deaths was identified for each year. The mortality rates corresponding to these model life-tables were then assigned to each department in each particular year. Cumulative reduction in under-five mortality rate in the 1996–2000 period was estimated calculating the annual reduction slope for each department. Departmental level mortality profiles were constructed. Differences in mortality profiles and in mortality reduction between coastal, andean and jungle regions were also assessed. RESULTS: At country level, only 4 causes (pneumonia, diarrhoea, neonatal diseases and injuries) accounted for 68% of all deaths in 1996, and for 62% in 2000. There was 32.7% of under-five death reduction from 1996 to 2000. Diarrhoea and pneumonia deaths decreased by 84.5% and 41.8%, respectively, mainly in the andean region, whereas deaths due to neonatal causes and injuries decreased by 37.2% and 21.7%. For 1996–2000 period, the andean, coast and jungle regions accounted for 52.4%, 33.1% and 14.4% of deaths, respectively. These regions represent 41.0%, 46.4% and 12.6% of under-five population. Both diarrhoea and pneumonia constitute 30.6% of under-five deaths in the andean region. As a proportion, neonatal deaths remained stable in the country from 1996 to 2000, accounting for about 30% of under-five deaths, whereas injuries and "other" causes, including congenital anomalies, increased by about 5%. CONCLUSION: Under-five mortality declined substantially in all departments from 1996 to 2000, which is explained mostly by reduction in diarrhoea and pneumonia deaths, particularly in the andean region. There is the need to emphasize interventions to reduce neonatal deaths and emerging causes of death such as injuries and congenital anomalies

Sequential immunotherapy and targeted therapy for metastatic BRAF V600 mutated melanoma: 4-year survival and biomarkers evaluation from the phase II SECOMBIT trial

No prospective data were available prior to 2021 to inform selection between combination BRAF and MEK inhibition versus dual blockade of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) as first-line treatment options for BRAFV600-mutant melanoma. SECOMBIT (NCT02631447) was a randomized, three-arm, noncomparative phase II trial in which patients were randomized to one of two sequences with immunotherapy or targeted therapy first, with a third arm in which an 8-week induction course of targeted therapy followed by a planned switch to immunotherapy was the first treatment. BRAF/MEK inhibitors were encorafenib plus binimetinib and checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab plus nivolumab. Primary outcome of overall survival was previously reported, demonstrating improved survival with immunotherapy administered until progression and followed by BRAF/MEK inhibition. Here we report 4-year survival outcomes, confirming long-term benefit with first-line immunotherapy. We also describe preliminary results of predefined biomarkers analyses that identify a trend toward improved 4-year overall survival and total progression-free survival in patients with loss-of-function mutations affecting JAK or low baseline levels of serum interferon gamma (IFNy). These long-term survival outcomes confirm immunotherapy as the preferred first-line treatment approach for most patients with BRAFV600-mutant metastatic melanoma, and the biomarker analyses are hypothesis-generating for future investigations of predictors of durable benefit with dual checkpoint blockade and targeted therapy

Removing Systemic Barriers to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Report of the 2019 Plant Science Research Network Workshop “Inclusivity in the Plant Sciences”

A future in which scientific discoveries are valued and trusted by the general public cannot be achieved without greater inclusion and participation of diverse communities. To envision a path towards this future, in January 2019 a diverse group of researchers, educators, students, and administrators gathered to hear and share personal perspectives on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the plant sciences. From these broad perspectives, the group developed strategies and identified tactics to facilitate and support EDI within and beyond the plant science community. The workshop leveraged scenario planning and the richness of its participants to develop recommendations aimed at promoting systemic change at the institutional level through the actions of scientific societies, universities, and individuals and through new funding models to support research and training. While these initiatives were formulated specifically for the plant science community, they can also serve as a model to advance EDI in other disciplines. The proposed actions are thematically broad, integrating into discovery, applied and translational science, requiring and embracing multidisciplinarity, and giving voice to previously unheard perspectives. We offer a vision of barrier-free access to participation in science, and a plant science community that reflects the diversity of our rapidly changing nation, and supports and invests in the training and well-being of all its members. The relevance and robustness of our recommendations has been tested by dramatic and global events since the workshop. The time to act upon them is now