Comparing the performance of technological and social capabilities in Latin American and East Asian countries, 2000-2012

The factors that explain economic development of a country continue to generate controversies, even after decades of scientific advances. In line with heterodox tradition, this paper accepts the divergence in the level of development as something intrinsic to the creative destruction process of Technological Revolutions. By this token, the objectives here are: (i) to check for a longer period, the adequacy of relations, already tested once between a set of analytical dimensions can influence the processes of economic development of countries and (ii) to present and discuss evidences of progresses and setbacks of National Innovation Systems of Latin American and East Asian countries. For this, technological ad social capabilities were analyzed, relying on multivariate statistical analysis and econometric. In addition, variations in the performance of the technological and social capacities of three Latin American countries and three of East Asia were also observed and compared rapidly. The results indicate that the higher growth rate of Chinese and South Korean per capita income was sustained by the rapid growth of their technological capabilities, but also by different social capacities, while Argentina, Brazil and Mexico lost the best moment in decades, the commodity boom.

3-Phosphoinositide–Dependent Kinase 1 Potentiates Upstream Lesions on the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway in Breast Carcinoma

Lesions of ERBB2, PTEN, and PIK3CA activate the phosphati- dylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway during cancer development by increasing levels of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3). 3-Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is the first node of the PI3K signal output and is required for activation of AKT. PIP3 recruits PDK1 and AKT to the cell membrane through interactions with their pleckstrin homology domains, allowing PDK1 to activate AKT by phosphorylating it at residue threonine-308. We show that total PDK1 protein and mRNA were overexpressed in a majority of human breast cancers and that 21% of tumors had five or more copies of the gene encoding PDK1, PDPK1. We found that increased PDPK1 copy number was associated with upstream pathway lesions (ERBB2 amplification, PTEN loss, or PIK3CA mutation), as well as patient survival. Examination of an independent set of breast cancers and tumor cell lines derived from multiple forms of human cancers also found increased PDK1 protein levels associated with such upstream pathway lesions. In human mammary cells, PDK1 enhanced the ability of upstream lesions to signal to AKT, stimulate cell growth and migration, and rendered cells more resistant to PDK1 and PI3K inhibition. After orthotopic transplantation, PDK1 overexpression was not oncogenic but dramatically enhanced the ability of ERBB2 to form tumors. Our studies argue that PDK1 overexpression and increased PDPK1 copy number are common occurrences in cancer that potentiate the oncogenic effect of upstream lesions on the PI3K pathway. Therefore, we conclude that alteration of PDK1 is a critical component of oncogenic PI3K signaling in breast cancer

Uma proposta de formação em serviço de professores em interculturalidade para acompanhar estudantes imigrantes

O quadro teórico desta contribuição baseia-se em estudos de migrações, no paradigma das novas mobilidades, nos contributos da educação intercultural crítica e do multiculturalismo, e na aprendizagem colaborativa. Este texto discute o aumento da migração e da diversidade cultural e consequente o desenvolvimento da educação intercultural no contexto espanhol. Esta situação representa o grande desafio da formação de professores para a promoção de uma educação intercultural inclusiva e crítica. O texto está estruturado em torno das contribuições do projeto europeu Quammelot, que desenvolveu pesquisa, intervenção, formação e boas práticas sobre inclusão educacional e social de estudantes imigrantes e Menores Estrangeiros Desacompanhados, com um foco específico no sistema educacional, na faixa etária de 12 a 18 anos, e nas relações entre escolas, população imigrante e território. O artigo oferece uma revisão da literatura sobre a inclusão de estudantes imigrantes e menores imigrantes nas escolas secundárias. Posteriormente, é apresentada a metodologia inovadora do projeto, descrevendo o curso online destinado aos professores do ensino médio. Finalmente, são comentadas as contribuições do projeto sobre cooperação transnacional, inovação na educação formal, melhoria da formação de professores e visibilidade das necessidades dos atores educacionais sobre inclusão e diversidade

Case Report: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using balloon-expandable bioprosthesis in patients with severe pure aortic regurgitation on noncalcified native valves: a series of cases

BackgroundFor individuals with pure aortic regurgitation (AR), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is cautiously recommended only for those with a high or prohibitive surgical risk. We aimed to describe the results of a case series of transcatheter implantation of a balloon-expandable aortic valve bioprosthesis (BEV) for the treatment of noncalcified native valve AR.MethodsFrom February 2022–November 2022, we performed TAVI in patients with severe pure AR. Cases were indicated on the basis of symptoms, high/prohibitive surgical risk, or patient refusal of conventional treatment.ResultsFive patients underwent successful TAVI. The mean age was 81.9 ± 6.6 years, 3 (60%) female and 5 (100%) in NYHA class III or IV. The baseline echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 49.0 ± 10.6% and left ventricular end-systolic diameter 28.5 ± 4.7 mm/m². The average area of the aortic annulus was 529.1 ± 47.0mm² and the area oversizing index was 17.6 ± 1.2%. In the 30-day follow-up, there were no cases of prosthesis embolization, annulus rupture, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, hemorrhagic complication or death. One patient required a permanent pacemaker and another had a minor vascular complication. The clinical follow-up were 19.8 months (16.7–21.8). During this period, all patients remained alive and in NYHA class I or II. One of the patients developed a moderate paravalvular leak.ConclusionTAVI with a BEV proved to be safe and effective in this small case series of patients with noncalcified native valve AR in a follow-up longer than 1 year

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Podocyturia as a Diagnostic Marker for Preeclampsia amongst High-Risk Pregnant Patients

Urinary podocyte (podocyturia) has been studied as a diagnostic marker for preeclampsia. We sought to validate its use in preeclampsia and in differentiating it from other high risk pregnancy states. We studied an obstetric population at high risk to develop preeclampsia (study group) and uncomplicated pregnancies (control group) by analyzing their urine sediment for podocytes within 24 hours of delivery. Podocytes were identified by immunohistochemistry using the podocyte-specific protein synaptopodin. Of the 56 patients who were enrolled, 29 patients were diagnosed with preeclampsia, 9 patients had hypertensive conditions such as chronic and gestational hypertension, 6 patients had Type I/II and gestational diabetes mellitus, 3 patients were classified as others, and 9 patients exhibited uncomplicated pregnancies. Podocyturia was identified in 11 out of 29 (38%) of patients with preeclampsia/eclampsia, 3 out of 9 (33%) with gestational and chronic hypertension, and 3 out of 6 (50%) with Type I/II and gestational diabetes mellitus. None of the 9 patients (0%) with uncomplicated pregnancies demonstrated podocyturia. The sensitivity and specificity of podocyturia for preeclampsia were found to be 38% and 70%. Our study showed that podocyturia does not appear to be a sensitive nor a specific marker to diagnose preeclampsia

Efeito residual de diferentes coberturas em cultivares de alface / Residual effect of different toppings on lettuce cultivars

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar cultivares de alface em diferentes tipos de coberturas no solo em dois cultivos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na escola Estadual Coronel Jose Alves Ribeiro (CEJAR), localizada no município de Aquidauana/MS. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 3 x 2, sendo três tipos de coberturas de solo (palhada de milho, capim braquiária e mulching) e duas cultivares de alface (Ariel e Solaris) com quatro repetições. Realizou-se o cultivo sucessivo, onde o primeiro cultivo foi realizado 110 dias após o plantio da cobertura morta. Sete dias após a colheita do primeiro cultivo, realizou-se o transplantio de mudas do segundo cultivo. Avaliou-se à altura e diâmetro de plantas, número de folhas, comprimento de hastes, massa da matéria fresca e massa seca. Para os cultivos, houve diferença significativa, onde os melhores resultados foram no segundo cultivo. Foi possível observar interação significativa entre os tipos de coberturas e as cultivares de alface para o diâmetro de plantas. Para altura de plantas foi possível observar diferença significativa entre os cultivos. A utilização dos diferentes tipos de coberturas de solo teve efeitos benéficos no desenvolvimento das plantas de alface e por isso são indicadas.

Global expansion of COVID-19 pandemic is driven by population size and airport connections

The pandemic state of COVID-19 caused by the SARS CoV-2 put the world in quarantine, led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and is causing an unprecedented economic crisis. However, COVID-19 is spreading in different rates at different countries. Here, we tested the effect of three classes of predictors, i.e., socioeconomic, climatic and transport, on the rate of daily increase of COVID-19 on its exponential phase. We found that population size and global connections, represented by countries’ importance in the global air transportation network, are the main explanations for the early growth rate of COVID-19 in different countries. Climate and socioeconomics had no significant effect in this big picture analysis. Our results indicate that the current claims that the growth rate of COVID-19 may be lower in warmer and humid countries should be taken very carefully, risking to disturb well-established and effective policy of social isolation that may help to avoid higher mortality rates due to the collapse of national health systems