Arginase and Arginine Dysregulation in Asthma

In recent years, evidence has accumulated indicating that the enzyme arginase, which converts L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders such as asthma through dysregulation of L-arginine metabolism and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis. Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Through substrate competition, arginase decreases bioavailability of L-arginine for nitric oxide synthase (NOS), thereby limiting NO production with subsequent effects on airway tone and inflammation. By decreasing L-arginine bioavailability, arginase may also contribute to the uncoupling of NOS and the formation of the proinflammatory oxidant peroxynitrite in the airways. Finally, arginase may play a role in the development of chronic airway remodeling through formation of L-ornithine with downstream production of polyamines and L-proline, which are involved in processes of cellular proliferation and collagen deposition. Further research on modulation of arginase activity and L-arginine bioavailability may reveal promising novel therapeutic strategies for asthma

Parental/teacher influence on the stress level of the elementary school child

All children in the course of growing up encounter minor stresses: accidents and illnesses, the birth of a new baby, a move of house and school, the inevitable demands for increasing maturity and self-control. Most children at some time react to these stresses with temporary disorders, such as nightmares, bed-wetting, temper tantrums or excessive fear. Parents and teachers usually know almost intuitively what these symptoms mean and they respond by lessening the pressures on the child. Serious difficulties arise only when the stresses are overwhelming or when the adults are too preoccupied to attend to the child\u27s signals of distress

Coteachers\u27 Perceptions About Collaborating to Implement Instructional Strategies for Students With Disabilities

During 2012-2016, students with disabilities (SWDs) in Grades 3-5 in an urban elementary school in New York City did not meet the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) standards. The scores had been consistently low for SWDs when compared to their nondisabled peers. SWDs are placed in the inclusion classrooms with an Individual Education Plan that consists of the necessary accommodations that each student requires to access the general education curriculum. The purpose of this case study was to determine if the low ELA test scores for SWDs relate to lack of collaborative practices between coteachers in the inclusion classroom, and to answer the primary research question of how coteachers collaborate to implement students\u27 Individual Educational Plans and devise instructional strategies to accommodate SWDs. Cook and Friend\u27s conceptual framework was used for this study because it directly supports collaboration and coteaching. A purposeful sampling was used to select 4 coteacher pairs (1 special education teacher and 1 general education teacher) from Grades 3-5. Qualitative data were collected from open-ended interviews and lesson plans were analyzed by using provisional and pattern coding. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: coteachers\u27 strategies used when planning lessons for SWDs, classroom accommodation for SWDs, coteachers\u27 instructional strategies, and collaborative relationship in inclusion classroom. The study findings positively influence social change by showing coteachers\u27 need for ongoing professional development that provides effective instructional strategies and collaborative practices for teaching SWDs, with the goal of increasing the percentage of SWDs who meet the ELA state standards

Modelo integral para la estructuración de un Banco de Proyectos Agropecuarios en Colombia

95 Páginas.Colombia es un país con gran riqueza natural; pero los pequeños productores no obtienen el potencial de sus recursos al actuar por instinto, sin un proceso de planeación ni tecnología. Existen organismos que preparan información técnica, que no se difunde y el productor no tiene la capacidad de entenderla, desaprovechando así los beneficios. Adicionalmente, los organismos no trabajan coordinados. Este trabajo plantea un modelo para la estructuración de un Banco de Proyectos Agropecuarios, para coordinar los esfuerzos individuales, conectándolos con los programas del Gobierno y ofreciendo el acompañamiento por parte de un gestor, que conoce el sector y maneja la operatividad del modelo. La propuesta involucra un “Sello Verde”, que certifica el proceso de planeación y la viabilidad del proyecto

Defect analysis and alignment quantification of line arrays prepared by directed self-assembly of a block copolymer

Trabajo presentado al XXVIII Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Microlithography, celebrado en California (US) en 2014.Different linear patterns obtained from the directed self-assembly of the block copolymer (BCP) polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) were analysed and compared. The hexagonal phase PS-b-PEO in a thin film exhibits linear pattern morphology, by conventional solvent annealing in an atmosphere saturated in chloroform. The surface energy of the silicon substrates was varied using surface functionalization of a self-assembly monolayer (SAM) and a polymer brush, chosen to investigate the influence of the surface energy on the self-assembly of the BCP. The linear patterns formed were analyzed with innovative image analysis software specifically developed in our laboratory to identify elements and defects of line arrays from block copolymer self-assembly. The technique starts by performing dimensional metrology to calculate the pitch size and estimate the linewidth of the lines. Secondly, the methodology allows identification and quantification of typical defects observable in BCP systems, such as turning points, disclination or branching points, break or lone points and end points. The defect density and the quantification of the alignment were estimated using our technique. The methodology presented here represents a step forward in dimensional metrology and defect analysis of BCP DSA systems and can be readily used to analyze other lithographic or non-lithographic patterns.The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union FP7 under the project LAMAND (grant agreement n° 245565), the Spanish MICIN under the project TAPHOR (contract nr. MAT2012-31392) and the Science Foundation Ireland under grant number 09/SIRG/I1615.Peer Reviewe

Effects of the Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding after Birth training on near miss morbidity and mortality in Uganda: A cluster-randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Helping Mothers Survive Bleeding after Birth training on postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) near miss and case fatality rates in Uganda. METHODS: Training was evaluated using a cluster-randomized design between June 2016 and September 2017 in 18 typical rural districts (clusters) in Eastern and Central Uganda of which nine districts were randomly assigned to the intervention. The main outcome was PPH near miss defined using the World Health Organization's disease and management-based approach. Interrupted time series analysis was performed to estimate the difference in the change of outcomes. RESULTS: Outcomes of 58 000 and 95 455 deliveries during the 6-month baseline and 10-month endline periods, respectively, were included. A reduction of PPH near misses was observed in the intervention compared to the comparison districts (difference-in-difference of slopes 4.19, 95% CI, -7.64 to -0.74); P<0.05). There was an increase in overall reported near miss cases (difference-in-difference 1.24, 95% CI, 0.37-2.10; P<0.001) and an increase in PPH case fatality rate (difference-in-difference 2.13, 95% CI, 0.14-4.12; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This pragmatic cluster-randomized trial conducted in typical rural districts of Uganda indicated a reduction of severe PPH cases while case fatality did not improve, suggesting that this basic training needs to be complemented by additional measures for sustained mortality reduction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PACTR201604001582128