191 research outputs found
BibliocartografĂas proyecto editorial de una cartografĂa digital que integra cinco bibliotecas populares y comunitarias de Colombia
Los comunicadores tenemos la responsabilidad social de responder y dar apoyo a las necesidades que la sociedad colombiana y la comunidad en la que estamos inmersos requiere. Por eso, las herramientas que tenemos en nuestras manos como profesionales deben multiplicarse en ideas y proyectos reales que conlleven al desarrollo del paĂs. En el campo editorial, el papel del editor contempla los procesos de producciĂłn del libro desde que llega el manuscrito a la editorial hasta el momento que empieza a circular en las librerĂas. Todo un proceso de producciĂłn que se traduce en indicadores de ventas, estadĂsticas de lectura, libros que se convierten en bettseller s y autores que logran fama y reconocimiento.Comunicador (a) SocialPregrad
Utilisation des toxines botuliniques pour soulager la douleur réfractaire et d’autres symptômes du parkinsonisme
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) and other parkinsonian syndromes are chronic, progressive neurodegenerative diseases. With advancing disease, both motor and non-motor symptoms represent a considerable burden and symptom relief and quality of life improvement become the main goal of treatment. Botulinum toxins (BTX) are an effective treatment modality for many neurological conditions. Methods: To understand the potential usefulness of BTX in this population, we performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic PD and atypical parkinsonism who received treatment with BTX injections in our center from 1995 to 2014 for a variety of symptoms. Response to BTX was assessed using a subjective Clinical Global Impression. Results: Records of 160 patients were reviewed. Probable idiopathic PD was the diagnosis in 117 patients (73.1%). The main indication for BTX treatment was pain (50.6% of cases). Other indications were the treatment of functional impairment resulting from dystonia (26.25%), sialorrhea (18.75%), freezing of gait, and camptocormia. Considering pain as indication, 81% of all patients with PD reported benefits after the first BTX injections. This benefit was maintained after the last recorded visit without significant difference in outcome compared with the first injection (p=0.067). Similar results were observed in patients with atypical parkinsonism. Conclusions: Our results confirm the safety and efficacy of different uses of BTX in the symptomatic treatment of patients with parkinsonism even in advanced stages of the disease, and suggest BTX treatment could have a safe and useful role in the treatment of pain in this population.Contexte: La maladie de Parkinson (MP) et les divers syndromes parkinsoniens sont des affections neuro-dĂ©gĂ©nĂ©ratives chroniques et Ă©volutives. Avec la progression de la maladie, tant ses symptĂ´mes moteurs que ses symptĂ´mes non-moteurs finissent par reprĂ©senter un fardeau considĂ©rable. Le soulagement de ces symptĂ´mes et l’amĂ©lioration de la qualitĂ© de vie des patients deviennent alors le principal objectif d’un traitement. Ă€ cet Ă©gard, les toxines botuliniques (« BTX ») demeurent une modalitĂ© de traitement efficace dans le cas de nombreux troubles neurologiques. MĂ©thodes: Afin de comprendre l’utilitĂ© potentielle des toxines botuliniques, nous avons procĂ©dĂ© Ă un examen rĂ©trospectif des dossiers de tous les patients qui, après avoir reçu un diagnostic de MP idiopathique et de syndrome parkinsonien atypique, ont bĂ©nĂ©ficiĂ© dans notre centre, de 1995 Ă 2014, d’un traitement par injection de toxines botuliniques pour toute une gamme de symptĂ´mes. La rĂ©ponse Ă ces toxines a ensuite Ă©tĂ© Ă©valuĂ©e au moyen de l’échelle Clinical Global Impression. RĂ©sultats: Nous avons passĂ© en revue les dossiers de 160 patients. Des cas probables de MP idiopathiques ont Ă©tĂ© diagnostiquĂ©s chez 117 patients (73,1 %). Fait Ă noter, le soulagement de la douleur Ă©tait le principal motif justifiant un traitement par injection de toxines botuliniques (50,6 % des cas). D’autres motifs Ă©taient avancĂ©s : traiter un handicap fonctionnel rĂ©sultant de la dystonie (26,25 %), la sialorrhĂ©e (18,75 %), des blocages (freezing of gait) et la camptocormie. Si l’on s’en tient Ă la douleur, 81 % des patients atteints de la MP ont signalĂ© des bienfaits Ă la suite des premières injections de toxines botuliniques. Ces bienfaits ont perdurĂ© après leur dernière visite attestĂ©e, et ce, sans qu’on ait observĂ© de diffĂ©rences significatives dans les rĂ©sultats par rapport Ă la première injection (p = 0,067). Des rĂ©sultats identiques ont Ă©tĂ© constatĂ©s chez des patients atteints d’un syndrome parkinsonien atypique. Conclusions: Nos rĂ©sultats confirment Ă la fois la sĂ©curitĂ© et l’efficacitĂ© des diffĂ©rents usages des toxines botuliniques dans le soulagement, mĂŞme Ă un stade avancĂ©, des symptĂ´mes de patients atteints de parkinsonisme. Ils suggèrent aussi qu’un traitement par injection de toxines botuliniques pourrait, sans danger, jouer un rĂ´le utile dans le traitement de la douleur Ă©prouvĂ©e par cette catĂ©gorie de patients.Fil: Bruno, Veronica Andrea. University Health Network. Toronto Western Hospital; Canadá. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fox, Susan H.. University Health Network. Toronto Western Hospital; CanadáFil: Mancini, Deborah. University Health Network. Toronto Western Hospital; CanadáFil: Miyasaki, Janis M.. University of Alberta; Canad
Automating Wood Species Detection and Classification in Microscopic Images of Fibrous Materials with Deep Learning
We have developed a methodology for the systematic generation of a large
image dataset of macerated wood references, which we used to generate image
data for nine hardwood genera. This is the basis for a substantial approach to
automate, for the first time, the identification of hardwood species in
microscopic images of fibrous materials by deep learning. Our methodology
includes a flexible pipeline for easy annotation of vessel elements. We compare
the performance of different neural network architectures and hyperparameters.
Our proposed method performs similarly well to human experts. In the future,
this will improve controls on global wood fiber product flows to protect
forests
Eurasiens Wirtschaft und Covid-19: Strategien der Krisenbewältigung und Reformaussichten in vier postsowjetischen Staaten
Covid-19 hat die Staaten des postsowjetischen Raums in unterschiedlicher Weise getroffen, doch die Persistenz etablierter wirtschaftspolitischer Strukturen zeigt sich ĂĽberall - auch dort, wo Reformen unternommen werden. Die russische FĂĽhrung sieht sich durch die Krise in ihrem Kurs bestätigt und strebt keine strukturellen Reformen an. Usbekistan ist zwar weiter auf Erneuerungskurs, doch im Bestreben, krisenÂbedingte Verluste zu kompensieren, wird ein RĂĽckfall in Mechanismen erkennÂbar, die den Reformzielen widersprechen. In der Ukraine ist die Nachhaltigkeit eines eilig umgesetzten Reformpakets gefährdet, das dem Land einen dringend benötigÂten IWF-Kredit verschafft hat. Georgien wiederum versucht, mit seinem bisherigen Wirtschaftsmodell durch die Krise zu steuern, obwohl Covid-19 dessen Vulnerabilität verdeutlicht hat. (Autorenreferat
The impact of long-acting muscarinic antagonists on mucus hypersecretion and cough in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review
: Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinically manifest airway mucus hypersecretion as sputum expectoration and cough. Evidence accumulated in the past decade has shown that the cholinergic system not only regulates airway smooth muscle contraction but also the activity of inflammatory and airway epithelial cells, including goblet cells, and submucosal gland activity. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) with the most favourable M3/M2 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors residency properties are not only excellent bronchodilators but potentially also mucus-modifying agents, able to positively impact on mucus hypersecretion and cough. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the impact of LAMAs on mucus hypersecretion and cough in COPD patients. The evidence confirmed that LAMAs, mainly tiotropium and aclidinium, improved sputum production and cough in moderate to severe COPD. Thus, LAMAs not only antagonise the ACh-induced bronchoconstriction of the airways but also appear to limit the production of mucus secreted in response to ACh by airway goblet cells and/or submucosal glands. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of LAMAs exclusively on sputum symptoms and cough as primary end-points and to investigate whether LAMAs have a modulatory action on the rheological properties of mucus
The family mealtime observation study (FaMOS): Exploring the role of family functioning in the association between mothers' and fathers' food parenting practices and children's nutrition risk
This cross-sectional study explores associations between mothers' and fathers' food parenting practices and children's nutrition risk, while examining whether family functioning modifies or confounds the association. Home observations assessed parents' food parenting practices during dinnertime (n = 73 families with preschoolers). Children's nutrition risk was calculated using NutriSTEP®. Linear regression models examined associations between food parenting practices and NutriSTEP® scores. An interaction term (family functioning × food parenting practice) explored effect modification; models were adjusted for family functioning to explore confounding. Among mothers, more frequent physical food restriction was associated with higher nutrition risk in their children (β = 0.40 NutriSTEP® points, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.30, 7.58) and among both mothers and fathers, positive comments about the target child's food were associated with lower nutrition risk (mothers: β = -0.31 NutriSTEP® points, 95% CI = -0.54, -0.08; fathers: β = -0.27 NutriSTEP® points, 95% CI = -0.75, -0.01) in models adjusted for parent education and child Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score. Family functioning did not modify these associations and they remained significant after adjustment for family functioning. Helping parents to use positive encouragement rather than restriction may help to reduce their children's nutrition risk
The germline of the malaria mosquito produces abundant miRNAs, endo-siRNAs, piRNAs and 29-nt small RNA
BACKGROUND
Small RNAs include different classes essential for endogenous gene regulation and cellular defence against genomic parasites. However, a comprehensive analysis of the small RNA pathways in the germline of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae has never been performed despite their potential relevance to reproductive capacity in this malaria vector.
RESULTS
We performed small RNA deep sequencing during larval and adult gonadogenesis and find that they predominantly express four classes of regulatory small RNAs. We identified 45 novel miRNA precursors some of which were sex-biased and gonad-enriched , nearly doubling the number of previously known miRNA loci. We also determine multiple genomic clusters of 24-30 nt Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that map to transposable elements (TEs) and 3'UTR of protein coding genes. Unusually, many TEs and the 3'UTR of some endogenous genes produce an abundant peak of 29-nt small RNAs with piRNA-like characteristics. Moreover, both sense and antisense piRNAs from TEs in both Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster reveal novel features of piRNA sequence bias. We also discovered endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) that map to overlapping transcripts and TEs.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first description of the germline miRNome in a mosquito species and should prove a valuable resource for understanding gene regulation that underlies gametogenesis and reproductive capacity. We also provide the first evidence of a piRNA pathway that is active against transposons in the germline and our findings suggest novel piRNA sequence bias. The contribution of small RNA pathways to germline TE regulation and genome defence in general is an important finding for approaches aimed at manipulating mosquito populations through the use of selfish genetic elements
Outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in individuals with natural and hybrid immunity
BACKGROUND: Studies comparing SARS-CoV-2 reinfection outcomes among individuals with previous infection (natural immunity) and previous infection plus vaccination (hybrid immunity) are limited.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among patients with hybrid immunity (cases) and natural immunity (controls) from March 2020 to February 2022. Reinfection was defined as positive PCR\u3e 90 days after initial laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Outcomes included time to reinfection, symptom severity, COVID-19-related hospitalization, critical COVID-19 illness (need for intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, or death), length of stay (LOS).
RESULTS: A total of 773 (42%) vaccinated and 1073 (58%) unvaccinated patients with reinfection were included. Most patients (62.7%) were asymptomatic. Median time to reinfection was longer with hybrid immunity (391 [311-440] vs 294 [229-406] days, p \u3c 0.001). Cases were less likely to be symptomatic (34.1% vs 39.6%, p = 0.001) or develop critical COVID-19 (2.3% vs 4.3%, p = 0.023). However, there was no significant difference in rates of COVID-19-related hospitalization (2.6% vs 3.8%, p = 0.142) or LOS (5 [2-9] vs 5 [3-10] days, p = 0.446). Boosted patients had longer time to reinfection (439 [IQR 372-467] vs 324 [IQR 256-414] days, p \u3c 0.001) and were less likely to be symptomatic (26.8% vs 38%, p = 0.002) compared to unboosted patients. Rates of hospitalization, progression to critical illness and LOS were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Natural and hybrid immunity provided protection against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection and hospitalization. However, hybrid immunity conferred stronger protection against symptomatic disease and progression to critical illness and was associated with longer time to reinfection. The stronger protection conferred by hybrid immunity against severe outcomes due to COVID-19 should be emphasized with the public to further the vaccination effort, especially in high-risk individuals
N1-acetylspermidine is a determinant of hair follicle stem cell fate
Stem cell differentiation is accompanied by increased mRNA translation. The rate of protein biosynthesis is influenced by the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine, which are essential for cell growth and stem cell maintenance. However, the role of polyamines as endogenous effectors of stem cell fate and whether they act through translational control remains obscure. Here, we investigate the function of polyamines in stem cell fate decisions using hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) organoids. Compared to progenitor cells, HFSCs showed lower translation rates, correlating with reduced polyamine levels. Surprisingly, overall polyamine depletion decreased translation but did not affect cell fate. In contrast, specific depletion of natural polyamines mediated by spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT; also known as SAT1) activation did not reduce translation but enhanced stemness. These results suggest a translation-independent role of polyamines in cell fate regulation. Indeed, we identified N1-acetylspermidine as a determinant of cell fate that acted through increasing self-renewal, and observed elevated N1-acetylspermidine levels upon depilation-mediated HFSC proliferation and differentiation in vivo. Overall, this study delineates the diverse routes of polyamine metabolism-mediated regulation of stem cell fate decisions. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.Peer reviewe
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