Publicidad en la revista Proa durante los años cincuenta. Estudio gráfico e inventariado

More than a half of the pages from any classic issue of Proa Magazine are dedicated to advertising. Although it is a vital content for Proa, it has been traditionally treated as secondary material. Through a graphic study and an inventory, this research provides data about which design technics were used for the elaboration of the adverts, which were its references, what kind of companies advertised and what commitment did they have with the Colombian architectural associations of that time. This study shows the importance of advertising in Proa as a primary source of documentation, and tests research tools that could be applied to the analysis of advertising in architecture magazines outside the Colombian context

Does active engagement in community music support the well-being of older people?

Background: There is considerable evidence that participating in music making can have benefits for children and young people. This research explored how participation in making music might support the social, emotional and cognitive well-being of older people. Methods: Comparisons were made between older people participating in a wide range of musical and other activities in relation to their responses to questionnaires and psychological needs scales (the CASP-12 and the Basic Needs Satisfaction Scale, Deci and Ryan, 2000). Comparisons were also made between those older people participating in the musical activities who were in the 3rd and 4th ages. Results: Factor analysis of responses revealed three factors: Purpose (having a positive outlook on life); Autonomy and Control; and Social Affirmation (positive social relationships, competence and a sense of recognised accomplishment). Comparisons between those participating in the music groups and those participating in other activities revealed statistically significant differences on all three factors with the music groups giving more positive responses. There was also no deterioration in responses in the music groups between those in the 3rd and 4th ages as might have been expected except in relation to purpose. Conclusions: Actively participating in making music has beneficial effects on the wellbeing of older people. Further research needs to identify the mechanisms through which music is able to achieve these effects

Incidence of malignant transformation in the oviductal fimbria in laying hens, a preclinical model of spontaneous ovarian cancer

Ovarian high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is a lethal form of ovarian cancer (OVCA). In most cases it is detected at late stages as the symptoms are non-specific during early stages. Emerging information suggests that the oviductal fimbria is a site of origin of ovarian HGSC. Currently available tests cannot detect ovarian HGSC at early stage. The lack of a preclinical model with oviductal fimbria that develops spontaneous ovarian HGSC is a significant barrier to developing an early detection test for this disease. The goal of this study was to examine if the oviductal fimbria in hens is a site of origin of HGSC and whether it expresses several putative markers expressed in ovarian HGSC in patients. A total of 135 laying hens (4 years old) were selected from a flock using transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) imaging, followed by euthanasia and gross examination for the presence of solid masses and ascites. Histological types of carcinomas were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Expression of WT-1, mutant p53, CA-125, PAX2 and Ki67 in normal or malignant fimbriae or ovaries were examined using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and gene expression assays. This study detected tumors in oviductal fimbriae in hens and routine staining revealed ovarian HGSC-like microscopic features in these tumors. These tumors showed similarities to ovarian HGSC in patients in expressing several markers. Compared with normal fimbriae, intensities of expression of WT-1, mutant p53, CA-125, and Ki67 were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fimbrial tumors. In contrast, expression of PAX2 decreased gradually as the tumor progressed to late stages. The patterns of expression of these markers were similar to those in ovarian HGSC patients. Thus, tumors of the oviductal fimbria in hens may offer a preclinical model to study different aspects of spontaneous ovarian HGSC in women including its early detection.</p

EndoV/DNA ligase mutation scanning assay using microchip capillary electrophoresis and dual-color laser-induced fluorescence detection

We report the ability to detect with high sensitivity sporadic mutations using a mutation scanning assay, which employs thermostable endonuclease V (EndoV) and DNA ligase. The products of the mutation scanning assay were separated using microchip capillary electrophoresis (mu CE) and detected with a dual-color laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector. PCR products from mutant and wild-type DNA of p53 exon 8 were generated using Cy3-labeled forward and Cy5-labeled reverse primers to allow LIF detection with mCE. EndoV recognizes and primarily cleaves heteroduplexed DNA one base 30 to a mismatch and can nick matched sites at low levels as well. DNA ligase is used to reseal nicks generated at matched sites, which creates a highly sensitive and specific assay for analyzing sporadic mutations in genomic DNA. Heteroduplexed DNA samples were treated with EndoV alone and with both EndoV and DNA ligase and separated using a 4% (w/v) linear polyacrylamide gel constituted in 1x TTE buffer, 7 M urea, and 0.05% (w/v) methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, which was used to suppress the EOF in the microchip. Sizing of the bands appearing in the electropherogram revealed the approximate position of the mutation. In this study, mutations present in p53 exon 8 generated Cy3-labeled cleavage products of 158 nt and Cy5-labeled cleavage products of 195 nt. The DNA fragments were simultaneously monitored at their respective color using a dual-color LIF system with the 158 and 195 nt fragments detected along with heteroduplexed fragments of 350 nt. The microchip separation was completed within 7 min, almost tenfold shorter time compared to conventional capillary gel electrophoresis.close7

Low-variance RNAs identify Parkinson’s disease molecular signature in blood

The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is usually not established until advanced neurodegeneration leads to clinically detectable symptoms. Previous blood PD transcriptome studies show low concordance, possibly resulting from the use of microarray technology, which has high measurement variation. The Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S mutation predisposes to PD. Using preclinical and clinical studies, we sought to develop a novel statistically motivated transcriptomic-based approach to identify a molecular signature in the blood of Ashkenazi Jewish PD patients, including LRRK2 mutation carriers. Using a digital gene expression platform to quantify 175 messenger RNA (mRNA) markers with low coefficients of variation (CV), we first compared whole-blood transcript levels in mouse models (1) overexpressing wild-type (WT) LRRK2, (2) overexpressing G2019S LRRK2, (3) lacking LRRK2 (knockout), and (4) and in WT controls. We then studied an Ashkenazi Jewish cohort of 34 symptomatic PD patients (both WT LRRK2 and G2019S LRRK2) and 32 asymptomatic controls. The expression profiles distinguished the four mouse groups with different genetic background. In patients, we detected significant differences in blood transcript levels both between individuals differing in LRRK2 genotype and between PD patients and controls. Discriminatory PD markers included genes associated with innate and adaptive immunity and inflammatory disease. Notably, gene expression patterns in levodopa-treated PD patients were significantly closer to those of healthy controls in a dose-dependent manner. We identify whole-blood mRNA signatures correlating with LRRK2 genotype and with PD disease state. This approach may provide insight into pathogenesis and a route to early disease detection