Reduction of chronic malnutrition for infants in Bogotá, Colombia

The study was funded by Fundación Éxito and Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá.Background. According to the 2015 National Survey of the Nutritional Situation in Colombia the prevalence of stunting in children under 5 years of age was 10.8%. In terms of region, Bogotá, presented the highest prevalence rate (13%), a figure that exceeded national records. With the collaboration of local and national government, and nongovernmental it was decided to develop a pilot study involving a public health intervention with residents of Bogotá under 1 year of age with nutritional classification by anthropometry compatible with stunting risk or stunting. Methods. Pre-experimental, before and after study that sought to determine the magnitude of the change in nutritional status through a 10 months public health nutrition intervention in children under one-year-old residing in 3 prioritized territories of Bogotá. Results. The intervention comprised 1126 children living in the following territories in Bogotá: Kennedy, San Cristóbal, and Engativá. A total of 43.3% children presented delay in height for age, and 56.7% presented risk of short stature. In the final measurement, data were obtained from 686 children, identifying that 17% of the children progressed from stunting to a stunting risk and that 4.5% recovered their growth trajectory, achieving an adequate length for their age. Conclusion. That children classified as at risk or stunting at the beginning of the intervention showed an increased probability of approaching or being in the appropriate growth trajectory according to the length-for-age indicator after the intervention

Choroidal Vessel Wall: Hypercholesterolaemia-Induced Dysfunction and Potential Role of Statins

© 2012 Ramírez et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Unidad Docente de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación de EspañaFundación Mutua MadrileñaUniversidad Complutense de Madridpu

Propuesta de Supply Chain Management y Logística para la empresa Papeles del Cauca-Kimberly-Clark

La tesis se centra en la optimización de la cadena de suministro para la empresa Papeles del Cauca - Kimberly-Clark. Se inicia con un análisis exhaustivo de la red de suministro existente, identificando sus principales proveedores y clientes. Se evalúan también las estructuras horizontales y verticales dentro de la red, además de los procesos de negocio críticos según los enfoques del Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) y APICS-SCOR. Se examinan en detalle los flujos de productos y dinero en la cadena de suministro, seguido por un análisis comparativo de Colombia en el contexto global de logística según indicadores del Banco Mundial y políticas nacionales como el CONPES 3982. Se abordan problemas comunes en la cadena de suministro, como el Efecto Látigo, y se analizan específicamente las causas que lo generan en la empresa. En cuanto a la gestión de inventarios, se realiza un diagnóstico de la situación actual y se propone una estrategia de mejora. Se examinan las ventajas y desventajas de centralizar o descentralizar los inventarios, y se recomienda un modelo de gestión de inventarios adecuado. Se analiza la situación actual del almacén o centro de distribución y se presentan propuestas de mejora, también abarca el proceso de aprovisionamiento, incluyendo una evaluación de la situación actual y estrategias de mejora. Se describen y proponen métodos para la selección y evaluación de proveedores. En la parte final, se analizan los procesos logísticos de distribución, se identifica la estrategia de distribución actual y se examinan los medios de transporte utilizados. Se evalúa la conveniencia de implementar estrategias como el Cross Docking y se determinan las estrategias más adecuadas para los negocios de la empresa. La tesis concluye con una discusión sobre las mega tendencias en Supply Chain Management y Logística, identificando los factores críticos de éxito que podrían dificultar la implementación de estas tendencias en el contexto colombiano y en la empresa Papeles del Cauca - Kimberly-Clark.The thesis focuses on optimizing the supply chain for the company Papeles del Cauca - Kimberly-Clark. It begins with a comprehensive analysis of the existing supply network, identifying its main suppliers and clients. Both the horizontal and vertical structures within the network are evaluated, along with critical business processes as outlined by the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) and APICS-SCOR. In detail, the flows of products and finances within the supply chain are examined, followed by a comparative analysis of Colombia in the global logistics context based on World Bank indicators and national policies like CONPES 3982. Common issues in supply chain management, such as the Bullwhip Effect, are discussed, with specific analysis of the root causes generating this effect in the company. Regarding inventory management, the thesis provides a diagnosis of the current situation and proposes an improvement strategy. The advantages and disadvantages of centralizing or decentralizing inventories are explored, and a suitable inventory management model is recommended. The status of the warehouse or distribution center is assessed, along with proposals for improvement. The thesis also covers the procurement process, offering an assessment of the current situation and strategies for improvement. Methods for the selection and evaluation of suppliers are described and proposed. In the final section, logistics distribution processes are analyzed, the current distribution strategy is identified, and the modes of transportation employed are examined. The feasibility of implementing strategies like Cross Docking is assessed, and suitable business strategies for the company are determined. The thesis concludes with a discussion on mega trends in Supply Chain Management and Logistics, identifying the critical success factors that could hinder the implementation of these trends in the Colombian context and within the company Papeles del Cauca - Kimberly-Clark

Aplicación web para la planeación de horarios académicos en la PUJ - JPlanner

Este trabajo es la solución que el equipo propone para un problema que la DTI (Dirección de tecnologías de la información) propuso en una reunión en el año 2018. JPlanner es un sistema que cambiará el método de registro de clase en la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Actualmente, el sistema PeopleSoft presenta muchos problemas sobre los cuales se profundizará más adelante, JPlanner busca ser el sistema de estudiantes para estudiantes que solucione la mayoría de estos problemas brin-dando la mejor solución para la universidad. Se realizaron pruebas para medir la aceptación del sistema final, los resultados de estos estudios nos muestran la aceptación de nuestro sistema por parte de los estudiantes y nos ayudan brindando oportunidades de trabajo futuro para mejorar la aplicación.This work is the solution that the team proposes for a problem that the DTI (Directorate of information technologies) proposed at a meeting in 2018. JPlanner is a system that will change the method of class registration at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Currently, the PeopleSoft system presents many problems that will be deepened later, JPlanner seeks to be the student system for students that solves most of these problems by providing the best solution for the university. Tests were carried out to measure the acceptance of the final system, the results of these studies show us the acceptance of our system by the students and they help us by providing opportunities for future work to improve the application.Ingeniero (a) de SistemasPregrad

Retinal Macroglial Responses in Health and Disease

Due to their permanent and close proximity to neurons, glial cells perform essential tasks for the normal physiology of the retina. Astrocytes andM¨uller cells (retinal macroglia) provide physical support to neurons and supplement them with several metabolites and growth factors.Macroglia are involved in maintaining the homeostasis of extracellular ions and neurotransmitters, are essential for information processing in neural circuits, participate in retinal glucose metabolism and in removing metabolic waste products, regulate local blood flow, induce the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), play fundamental roles in local immune response, and protect neurons from oxidative damage. In response to polyetiological insults, glia cells react with a process called reactive gliosis, seeking to maintain retinal homeostasis. When malfunctioning, macroglial cells can become primary pathogenic elements. A reactive gliosis has been described in different retinal pathologies, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetes, glaucoma, retinal detachment, or retinitis pigmentosa. A better understanding of the dual, neuroprotective, or cytotoxic effect of macroglial involvement in retinal pathologies would help in treating the physiopathology of these diseases.The extensive participation of the macroglia in retinal diseases points to these cells as innovative targets for new drug therapies

Effects of Hypercholesterolaemia in the Retina

© 2012 Triviño et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Unidad Docente de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN)Fundación Mutua MadrileñaUniversidad Complutense de Madridpu

“Super p53” Mice Display Retinal Astroglial Changes

Tumour-suppressor genes, such as the p53 gene, produce proteins that inhibit cell division under adverse conditions, as in the case of DNA damage, radiation, hypoxia, or oxidative stress (OS). The p53 gene can arrest proliferation and trigger death by apoptosis subsequent to several factors. In astrocytes, p53 promotes cell-cycle arrest and is involved in oxidative stress-mediated astrocyte cell death. Increasingly, astrocytic p53 is proving fundamental in orchestrating neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. In terms of ocular disease, p53 may play a role in hypoxia due to ischaemia and may be involved in the retinal response to oxidative stress (OS). We studied the influence of the p53 gene in the structural and quantitative characteristics of astrocytes in the retina. Adult mice of the C57BL/6 strain (12 months old) were distributed into two groups: 1) mice with two extra copies of p53 (“super p53”; n = 6) and 2) wild-type p53 age-matched control, as the control group (WT; n = 6). Retinas from each group were immunohistochemically processed to locate the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). GFAP+ astrocytes were manually counted and the mean area occupied for one astrocyte was quantified. Retinal-astrocyte distribution followed established patterns; however, morphological changes were seen through the retinas in relation to p53 availability. The mean GFAP+ area occupied by one astrocyte in “super p53” eyes was significantly higher (p<0.05; Student’s t-test) than in the WT. In addition, astroglial density was significantly higher in the “super p53” retinas than in the WT ones, both in the whole-retina (p<0,01 Student’s t-test) and in the intermediate and peripheral concentric areas of the retina (p<0.05 Student’s t-test). This fact might improve the resistance of the retinal cells against OS and its downstream signalling pathways

Protocolos diseñados para el biobanco de dientes de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

En un banco de dientes los protocolos son indispensables para garantizar: la correcta organización y el buen funcionamiento, la reproducción y estandarización que disminuyan la contaminación cruzada, conserven las características y propiedades sicoquímicas originales de los dientes, el cumplimiento de la normatividad ético–legal y un correcto manejo de los desechos. Objetivo: proponer los protocolos de desinfección, almacenamiento y transporte para el Biobanco de dientes en la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se revisaron las bases de datos Pubmed, Science Direct y Scielo utilizando las palabras “teeth, human, tooth bank, disinfection, sterilization, storage, organization, biosecurity, biobank, protocol, prevention”. Fueron incluidos 37 artículos, publicados entre 1988 y 2014, sobre banco de dientes, lineamientos para su limpieza, desinfección y almacenamiento. Se consultaron las normas internacionales y las ético–legales vigentes en Colombia para donación, manejo e investigación con órganos. Se estudiaron, analizaron y modicaron críticamente los procesos desde la recepción hasta su transformación de órganos en muestras aptas para investigación teniendo en cuenta la literatura, las experiencias previas en el laboratorio a través de trabajos de grado y tesis de posgrado, y los conocimientos en química inorgánica. Resultados: se planearon y elaboraron los protocolos de recolección, transporte, limpieza/desinfección y almacenamiento. Conclusión: basados en la literatura cientíca, en normas internacionales y nacionales vigentes y la experiencia en el laboratorio se propusieron los protocolos de desinfección, transporte particulares para el Biobanco de dientes de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia.Protocols in a Tooth Bank are essential in order to assure smooth operation, reproducibility and standardization that minimize cross contamination, maintain original characteristics and physicochemical properties of teeth, fulll ethical and legal regulations and a proper disposal of residues. Objective: to propose the disinfection, storing and transportation protocols for the UNTB. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the words “teeth, human, tooth bank, disinfection, sterilization, storage, organization, biosecurity, biobank, protocol, prevention” in the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo databases. 37 papers ranging from 1988 up to 2014 were selected. International and Colombian ethical and legal regulations for organ donation, handling and investigation were taken into account as well as laboratory observations and chemical basic principles gained through several undergraduate and graduate thesis. All this input was carefully studied, analysed and critically modied for setting the recommended processes for the conversion of donated teeth into organs suitable for research. Results: Collection, transportation, cleaning/disinfection and storing protocols were planned and elaborated. Conclusions: Based on scientic literature, national and international regulations and experimental experience, several protocols for the UNTB were presented

Ocular Exploration in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of the Alzheimer’s Dementia

The retina is part of the central nervous system (CNS), and therefore, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), retinal and optic nerve degeneration could take place. This degeneration leads to neurofunctional changes that can be detected early and followed up throughout the evolution of the disease. As opposed to other CNS structures, the eye is easily accessible for in vivo observation. Retinal organization allows for the identification of its different neurons, and in consequence, detection of minimal changes taking place during neurodegeneration is possible. Functional vision studies performed on AD patients in recent years have shown how visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, and visual integration vary with the progression of neurodegeneration. The development of optical coherence tomography in ophthalmology has meant a breakthrough in retinal exploratory techniques, allowing the obtention of high-resolution images using light. This technique enables retinal analysis in the earliest stages of AD, being considered as a biomarker of neuronal damage. Given AD’s high prevalence and its expected increase, it is important to perform easy tests that cause minimal discomfort to the patients at a low cost while offering abundant information on the stage of the disease

Automatic Counting of Microglial Cells in Healthy and Glaucomatous Mouse Retinas

Proliferation of microglial cells has been considered a sign of glial activation and a hallmark of ongoing neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia activation is analyzed in animal models of different eye diseases. Numerous retinal samples are required for each of these studies to obtain relevant data of statistical significance. Because manual quantification of microglial cells is time consuming, the aim of this study was develop an algorithm for automatic identification of retinal microglia. Two groups of adult male Swiss mice were used: age-matched controls (naïve, n = 6) and mice subjected to unilateral laser-induced ocular hypertension (lasered; n = 9). In the latter group, both hypertensive eyes and contralateral untreated retinas were analyzed. Retinal whole mounts were immunostained with anti Iba-1 for detecting microglial cell populations. A new algorithm was developed in MATLAB for microglial quantification; it enabled the quantification of microglial cells in the inner and outer plexiform layers and evaluates the area of the retina occupied by Iba-1+ microglia in the nerve fiber-ganglion cell layer. The automatic method was applied to a set of 6,000 images. To validate the algorithm, mouse retinas were evaluated both manually and computationally; the program correctly assessed the number of cells (Pearson correlation R = 0.94 and R = 0.98 for the inner and outer plexiform layers respectively). Statistically significant differences in glial cell number were found between naïve, lasered eyes and contralateral eyes (P<0.05, naïve versus contralateral eyes; P<0.001, naïve versus lasered eyes and contralateral versus lasered eyes). The algorithm developed is a reliable and fast tool that can evaluate the number of microglial cells in naïve mouse retinas and in retinas exhibiting proliferation. The implementation of this new automatic method can enable faster quantification of microglial cells in retinal pathologies