Modifying the Effects of Aβ40 and Aβ42 Proteins in Patients with Alzheimer\u27s Disease

My project looks over the effects of two proteins that induce memory loss in the brain for patients with Alzheimer\u27s Disease. My proposal is to modify these proteins in order to create a type of therapy for people diagnosed with this insufferable disease

A construção imaginativa de cuidados: a experiência de profissionais de enfermagem em um serviço de assistência remota

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloThe direction of care delivery goes from the action to the being; a process built from professional experience, which gains special characteristics when the service is delivered by telephone. The goal of this research was to understand the interaction between professionals and users in a remote care service; to do so, a research is presented, using Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism as theoretical references. Data were collected through eight interviews with professionals who deliver care by telephone. The theoretical understanding permitted the creation of the theoretical model of the Imaginative Construction of Care, which shows the interaction processes the professional experiences when delivering care by telephone. In this model, individual and social facts are added, showing the link between the concepts, with special emphasis on uncertainty, sensitivity and professional responsibility, as essential components of this experience.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692012000400009&nrm=isohttp://ref.scielo.org/44chq

Brewing with pigmented corn malt: Chemical, sensory properties, and consumer's expectations

The subject of this thesis is oriented to the development of novel beers made 100% with varieties of pigmented corn. The study approaches from two perspectives: the chemical and the sensory approach. From the sensory point of view, this thesis addresses the conceptualization of a ‘corn beer’, the sensory profiling of corn beers, and the consumers’ expectations towards these types of beers. From the chemical point of view, the study focuses mainly on the volatile characterisation of the grains (blue and red corn), the corn malts, and the corn beers. In addition, correlations between the sensory properties and the chemical parameters were performed to have a better understanding of the contribution of pigmented corn malts in the sensory characteristics of the beers. The main objective of this study was to investigate some of the key aspects that involve the development of a beer made with alternative cereals such as varieties of pigmented corns and to demonstrate the feasibility to use these grains in brewing and as a way to preserve and renew traditional beverages such as Sendecho. As a result of the increasing craft beer market in Mexico, craft brewers are in constant search of alternative cereals and ingredients that help to create innovative and vibrant beer styles to be added to the beer offering. Craft beers are characterised to offer consumers new sensory experiences in terms of flavours and emotions. In brewing, corn has been relegated to be used as an economical source of starch (adjunct). Thus, its use as the main ingredient has barely been explored, and even less the use of pigmented varieties of corn. In this regard, we developed a process to brew beers made 100% with pigmented varieties of corn native of Mexico. However, the process of creating a novel product involves many steps that go from the conceptualisation of the product, the product development, and the consumer testing to knowing its acceptability. This thesis has focused on the main parts that involve the development of a new product, in this case, beers made 100% with pigmented corn. This was addressed in four chapters, which will be briefly described below. Product development is addressed in chapters I and III. It begins with the characterisation of the volatile composition of the grains (red and blue corn), malts, and the final corn beers, all in direct contrast to barley malts and barley beers. Besides, we investigate some chemical parameters (non-volatile compounds) which are important indicators of the quality of the beers. Chapter II has examined the conceptualisation process. This involves the creation of the concept of “corn beers” and the claims (emotional and functional) that these beers can offer to consumers. This part of the study was aimed to understand whether consumers appreciate or not the idea of a beer made 100% with pigmented corn. In addition, concepts were tested in two countries (Mexico and France) to know the contrast of consumers' appreciation toward this type of beer as well as to know the feasibility to offer beers made with local ingredients to the foreign population. Finally, in Chapter IV we investigate the acceptance of the product with beer consumers. In addition, we determined to what extent consumers' expectations were or were not met.El tema de esta tesis está orientado al desarrollo de nuevas cervezas hechas 100% con variedades de maíz pigmentado. El estudio se aproxima desde dos perspectivas: la química y la sensorial. Desde el punto de vista sensorial, esta tesis aborda la conceptualización de la cerveza de maíz, el perfil sensorial de las cervezas de maíz y las expectativas de los consumidores hacia este tipo de cervezas. Desde el punto de vista químico, el estudio se centra principalmente en la caracterización volátil de los granos (maíz azul y rojo), las maltas de maíz y las cervezas de maíz. Además, se realizaron correlaciones entre las propiedades sensoriales y los parámetros químicos para tener una mejor comprensión de la contribución de las maltas de maíz pigmentadas en las características sensoriales de las cervezas. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue investigar algunos de los aspectos clave que implican el desarrollo de una cerveza elaborada con cereales alternativos como variedades de granos pigmentados y demostrar la viabilidad de utilizar estos granos en la elaboración de cerveza y como una forma de preservar y renovar bebidas tradicionales como Sendecho. Como resultado del creciente mercado de cerveza artesanal en México, los cerveceros artesanales están en constante búsqueda de cereales e ingredientes alternativos que ayudan a crear estilos de cerveza innovadores y vibrantes para ser añadidos a la oferta de cerveza. Las cervezas artesanales se caracterizan por ofrecer a los consumidores nuevas experiencias sensoriales en términos de sabores y emociones. En la elaboración de cerveza, el maíz ha sido relegado a ser utilizado como una fuente económica de almidón (adjunto). Así, su uso como ingrediente principal apenas se ha explorado y menos aún el uso de variedades pigmentadas de maíz. En este sentido, desarrollamos un proceso para elaborar cervezas 100% con variedades pigmentadas de maíz nativas de México. Sin embargo, el proceso de creación de un nuevo producto implica muchos pasos que van desde la conceptualización del producto, el desarrollo del producto y las pruebas del consumidor para conocer su aceptabilidad. Esta tesis se ha centrado en las partes principales que implican el desarrollo de un nuevo producto, en este caso, cervezas hechas al 100% con maíz pigmentado. Esto se abordó en cuatro capítulos, que se describirán brevemente a continuación. El desarrollo de productos se aborda en los capítulos I y III. Comienza con la caracterización de la composición volátil de los granos (maíz rojo y azul), las maltas y las cervezas finales de maíz, todo en contraste directo con la cebada y las cervezas elaboradas con este cereal. Adicionalmente, investigamos algunos parámetros químicos (compuestos no volátiles) que son indicadores importantes de la calidad de las cervezas. El capítulo II ha examinado el proceso de conceptualización. Esto implica la creación del concepto de cervezas de maíz y las afirmaciones (emocionales y funcionales) que estas cervezas pueden ofrecer a los consumidores. Esta parte del estudio tenía como objetivo entender si los consumidores aprecian o no la idea de una cerveza hecha 100% con maíz pigmentado. Además, se probaron conceptos en dos países (México y Francia) con el fin de conocer el contraste de la apreciación de los consumidores hacia este tipo de cerveza, así como conocer la viabilidad de ofrecer cervezas hechas con ingredientes locales a la población extranjera. Finalmente, en el capítulo IV investigamos la aceptación del producto con consumidores de cerveza. Además, determinamos en qué medida las expectativas de los consumidores fueron o no cumplidas

Meeting the Educational Needs of an Increasingly Diverse Surgical Workforce

To the Editor Yeo et al1 evaluated factors associated with American Board of Surgery (ABS) examination pass rates in a cohort of categorical surgical residents from the internship (2007) to eligibility/certification. They found that first-time ABS pass rate was associated with nonmodifiable factors, such as nonwhite race/ethnicity, sex (women), and having children.1 Additionally, Hispanic residents were less likely to attempt the ABS examinations at all. We must place these findings in the context of diversity in surgery, or rather, the lack thereof. The cohort included only 55 Hispanic residents, most of whom did pass the ABS examinations (n = 43; 81.1%). There was no difference in pass rates for the qualifying examination for Hispanic and nonwhite candidates; however, the marked difference in failing the ABS certifying examination may reflect implicit bias in the process. These findings are concerning although not entirely unexpected. Over the past 2 decades, the deleterious experiences of women and minority physicians in medicine have been documented. The authors previously reported similar factors associated with the insurmountable attrition rate among surgical residents (20.8%).2 Attrition was higher among women after 4 residency years (21.9% vs 16.3% men; P = .05) and among Hispanic residents after internship (21.1% vs 12.4% non-Hispanic; P = .04) and continued every year thereafter.2 It is deeply troubling that in the cohort of 834 residents, the 76 Hispanic residents (9.1%) dropped to 54 (6.4%), and only 34 of 306 women (11.1%) were Hispanic.2 Furthermore, O’Connell3 reported the “old boys’ network” culture of surgical programs as the greatest contributing risk factor of attrition among women and minority residents. Women and minority physicians remain a rarity in leadership positions and higher professorial ranks at academic institutions.4 Our increasingly diverse workforce will have different educational needs than previous generations. Strategies for providing support for minority trainees and early career faculty has been the focus of the Society of Black and Academic Surgeons, Association of Women Surgeons, Society of Asian Academic Surgeons, and the more recently established Latino Surgical Society. The emphasis on first-time ABS pass rates to grade surgical residency program may unintentionally lead to denying admission to candidates deemed at-risk. We must strategically and responsibly use these research findings to study the factors contributing to residents’ ABS failure and attrition. Association does not equal causality, and systemic factors should be addressed to help all achieve clinical and academic success

It\u27s High Time

Our Specific Aim is to discuss the major impacts of sea level rise. We display how art can be used to spread awareness by creating before and after posters of a well-known monument effected by sea-level rise

Thyroid Lobectomy vs Total Thyroidectomy for Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION: The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines called for consideration of thyroid lobectomy as an acceptable surgical treatment for small and less aggressive papillary thyroid cancers (PTC) with no clinical evidence of metastasis or extrathyroidal extension. Extent of surgery however, remains controversial. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed on Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases using a combination of the keywords: papillary thyroid carcinoma, lobectomy, completion thyroidectomy and guidelines during the years 2012 to 2017. Eight retrospective studies comparing lobectomy to total thyroidectomy on 1,294 patients with low risk PTC were included for analysis. Studies were grouped according to the major themes: survival and completion thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Compared to lobectomy, total thyroidectomy does not confer a survival advantage in low risk PTC. Despite appropriate preoperative risk stratification approximately 30% of thyroid lobectomy candidates will require completion thyroidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The 2015 ATA guidelines encourage personalization of care for patients with low risk PTC including a more conservative approach to initial extent of surgery and administration of radioactive iodine. A significant proportion of patients treated with lobectomy may require completion procedures for loco regional disease control, but which may not pose a negative impact in overall survival. Risks and benefits should be discussed carefully with patients. Future research considering outcomes such as complication rates, recurrence free survival, need for completion thyroidectomy, and long-term follow-up is warranted

Surgical Blog: An Important Supplement to Traditional Scientific Literature

Introduction: Blogging is a form of social media that has emerged as an important means of information exchange and opinion-building in the academic surgical community. We examined the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) blog to understand its audience and most read content. Methods: Google Analytics was used to assess the AWS blog site data. A search was performed from the earliest searchable date (February 16, 2018) to February 21, 2019. Demographic data, blog posts, and tags sorted by unique pageviews were recorded. Results: There were 31,221 unique pageviews during the search period. The AWS Blog readership was mostly women (75%), ages 25-44 years (70.3%). The three tags that elicited the most pageviews were “residency” (16.95%), “medical students” (12.12%), and “family life” (10.38%). The most read blog post was titled “Ban the Bouffant,” which was responsible for 9.7% of total pageviews. Conclusion: Most of the AWS Blog readership are young, women, and interested in content related to graduate and postgraduate medical education or family life. Blogging may be a good vehicle for topics not covered in traditional scientific literature

Methodological strategies in order to help first-year students to overcome the fear of speaking in English of Introduction to Oral Communication class at FAREM-Estelí, during the second semester of 2016

Speaking is a language skill that is highly affected by human psychology (Haidara, 2014). Each individual has their own problems in the learning process and each problem is different from the other. That is why, most learners find it difficult to express themselves in a language that is not their mother tongue. This research paper investigates the effect of methodological strategies implemented in order to help students to overcome the fear of speaking in English. The study also reflects data collection, includes an observation guide, an interview and a survey analyzed descriptively. In the interviews and survey both students and teacher share their opinions about the factors that affect learners’ speaking performance. Findings indicate that the methodological strategies the teacher uses are appropriate with the level of knowledge students have. Those strategies can help them greatly because they participate actively and voluntarily. Also, the factors that obstruct their speaking ability evolution are fear of making mistakes and classmates criticism

Proyecto de restaurante para diabéticos, vegetarianos y personas con hábitos alimenticios sanos. (Vegan Fit)

Este proyecto se basa en el restaurante Vegan Fit, el cual ofrece comida para personas diabéticas, vegetarianas y personas con hábitos alimenticios sanos, en base a productos orgánicos, se realiza con el fin de poner en práctica el conocimiento adquirido a través de la carrera, teniendo en cuenta que lo aprendido se ha convertido en herramientas fundamentales en el desempeño como profesionales, puesto que la competencia nos exige que seamos mercadólogos más visionarios y con la capacidad de tomar decisiones de gran impacto

Clonación y caracterización de fragmentos RAPD y loci microsatélite, asociados a Psidium guajava L. cultivada en 4 estados de la República Mexicana

Introduction. People around the world use medicinal plants to attend their health problems so government and international institutions are now taking attention in quality control methods to guarantee the security and efficiency of plant drug material, avoiding the incorporation of related species that lack the active compound or intrinsically have inhibitory compounds. Official guidelines recognize taxonomic identification and chemical fingerprinting with authenticity tests; however RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, specific-sequence and microsatellital DNA markers are used on species identification and adulterant discrimination in basic preparative research projects. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf is an extensive crop in México and it is used in abdominal disorders, and recently in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Justification. Due to limited genetic information of P. guajava, the purpose of this work was to identify genetic markers related to quercetin accumulation and that allow the authentication of this species to be used in the development of phytodrugs, as a tool of quality control. Hypothesis. Some genetic variations between individuals of P. guajava cultivated in different states from Mexico are associated with a variation in the accumulation of flavonoids while conserved regions are associated with the identification of the species. Objectives. a) To characterize varieties or homologies in RAPD fragments sequences from P. guajava DNA; b) To obtain a dinucleotide microsatellite genomic library from P. guajava L. Material and methods. Young clean leaves of 40 trees where collected from four Mexican states and processed for DNA genomic and quercetin extraction. The raw material was used to obtain a methanolic hydrolyzed extract for quercetin quantification by the HPLC technique using RP-18 columns and a PDA detector. On the other hand, it was used for DNA extraction, amplification of random DNA regions by the RAPD technique using 10-mer primers, and to obtain DNA fragments with restriction enzymes. RAPD analysis was correlated with high quercetin accumulation. RFLP fragments were hybridized with biotilinated tandem sequences. RAPD and microsatellites library were cloned, sequenced, analyzed and specific primers were designed. DNA markers were used in authentication and discrimination from other morphologically alike species. Results. Selected states account for 84% of the guava fruit production in Mexico. Spring samples collected from Aguascalientes showed a high quercetin accumulation, but one individual sample from the state of Mexico had the highest. Six decamer commercial RAPD primers generated a total of 91 fragments, sharing 74 ± 100% of bands among collected trees. The oligonucleotide 1 amplified two polymorphic segments of 560 and 610 bp to recognize the 1a, 1b and 1c banding patterns, oligonucleotide 2 amplified one polymorphic segment of 370 bp to recognize the 2a, and 2b banding patterns, oligonucleotide 3 amplified one polymorphic segment of 690 bp to recognize the 3a and 3b banding patterns, oligonucleotide 4 amplified two polymorphic segments of 460 and 480 bp to recognize the 4a, 4b and 4c banding patterns, oligonucleotides 5 and 6 amplified a pattern band each. Quercetin accumulation increase was correlated between 1a and 2a with 4c pattern bands. Thirty-six sequences were obtained from genomic libraries, five of them with tandem regions, one with a similarity of 91% with Arabidopsis thaliana, and only 22 sequences were viable for specific primer design. Amplified conditions were developed for 11 sequences using 10 ng of genomic DNA and 1 mM MgCl2 or 12 sequences using 5 ng of genomic DNA and 1.5 mM MgCl2. Five fragments were specific for P. guajava. Conclusions. The chemical marker quercetin allowed the identification of individuals from Aguascalientes state in spring with the highest accumulation of quercetin among selected regions. The banding patterns 1a and 2a with 4c are correlated with an increase of quercetin with a LoD value of 9.498 (p<0.05). In the authentication of species markers 1.A, 4.1, 4.3, 5.8 and 5.5 amplified for P. guajava, allowing to discriminate against guava from others individuals morphologically similar.Introducción. El gran número de habitantes en el mundo que utilizan a las plantas medicinales como recurso para solucionar sus problemas de salud, atrae la atención de instancias gubernamentales e internacionales que establecen métodos de control de calidad para garantizar su seguridad y eficacia. Los documentos oficiales reconocen como pruebas de autenticidad, a las de identificación taxonómica y de compuestos químicos que son característicos de la especie; sin embargo, en años recientes se están empleando marcadores de ADN para la identificación de la especie y discriminación de adulterantes. Entre los marcadores de ADN se encuentran los del tipo RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, secuencia específica y microsatelital. La hoja de guayaba (Psidium guajava L.) ampliamente cultivada en México, se utiliza popularmente en el tratamiento de trastornos estomacales y estudios clínicos recientes demuestran su eficacia en el tratamiento del síndrome de colon irritable. Planteamiento del problema. Debido a la escasa información genética existente de P. guajava, el presente trabajo se enfocó en la obtención de marcadores genéticos que se relacionen con la acumulación de quercetina y permitan la autentificación de la especie, como una herramienta en el control de calidad en el desarrollo de fitofármacos. Hipótesis. Algunas variaciones en regiones del ADN entre individuos de P. guajava cultivados en diferentes estados de la República Mexicana están asociadas a la acumulación de flavonoides mientras que las regiones conservadas lo están con la identificación de la especie. Objetivos. a) Caracterizar las variaciones u homologías de secuencia en segmentos tipo RAPD provenientes del ADN genómico de P. guajava L.; b) Obtener la distribución de la frecuencia alélica de diferentes muestras de P. guajava L. a partir de la construcción de una biblioteca genómica de loci microsatélite de la clase dinucleótida. Materiales y Métodos. Retoños limpios se colectaron en 40 árboles en cuatro estados de la República Mexicana. El material vegetal se procesó para obtener por un lado un extracto metanólico hidrolizado para la cuantificación de quercetina por HPLC usando columnas RP-18 y un detector PDA, y por otro lado se obtuvo ADN genómico. En éste se amplificaron regiones aleatorias tipo RAPD con seis oligonucleótidos de 10-mer (Amersham Bioscience, UK), y por otra parte se fraccionó con enzimas de restricción de acuerdo a lo informado previamente. Los amplificados aleatorios RAPD se analizaron y correlacionaron con la acumulación de quercetina total, mientras que los fragmentos RFLP se hibridaron con sondas (GT)15 biotiniladas, para capturar fragmentos con secuencias dinucleótidas repetidas. Las bibliotecas tipo RAPD y microsatelitales, se clonaron, secuenciaron, analizaron y de acuerdo con esto se diseñaron oligonucleótidos específicos. Los marcadores de ADN seleccionados se utilizaron en la autentificación de la especie y discriminación con otras plantas morfológicamente semejantes. Resultados. Los estados seleccionados producen el 84% de la guayaba que se cultiva en México. Las muestras de Aguascalientes mostraron la mayor acumulación de quercetina total en primavera, pero en el estado de México se encontró un árbol con la mayor acumulación de quercetina total. Las otras muestras de los estados de Querétaro y Michoacán tuvieron valores inferiores. En el amplificado aleatorio RAPD se usaron seis oligonucleótidos para generar 91 amplificados con una homología entre 74 y 100% entre los individuos. El oligonucleótido 1 generó dos amplificados polimórficos de 560 y 610pb diferenciando los patrones de bandeo 1a, 1b y 1c; el 2 mostró un amplificado polimórfico de 370pb con lo que se diferenciaron los patrones 2a y 2b; el 3 dió un amplificado polimórfico de 690pb que distingue los patrones 3a y 3b; el 4 generó dos amplificados polimórficos de 460 y 480pb diferenciando los patrones de bandeo 4a, 4b y 4c, y los oligonucleótidos 5 y 6 mostraron un solo patrón de bandeo cada uno. El aumento en la acumulación de quercetina se correlaciona con la presencia de los patrones de bandeo 1a y 2a con 4c. De las bibliotecas se obtuvieron 36 secuencias; 5 de ellas con microsatélites dinucleótidos; una similar en un 91% a Arabidopsis thaliana y se logró diseñar oligonucleótidos específicos para 22 secuencias de P. guajava. Se establecieron las condiciones de amplificación para 11 secuencias usando 10 ng de ADN genómico y 1 mM MgCl2 o para 12 secuencias usando 5 ng de ADN genómico y 1.5 mM MgCl2. Cinco de las secuencias seleccionadas fueron exclusivas para P. guajava. Conclusiones. El marcador químico de quercetina, permitió identificar a los individuos del estado de Aguascalientes en primavera como los de mayor acumulación de quercetina. Los marcadores genéticos tipo RAPD 1a y 2a con 4c se correlacionan con un aumento de quercetina con un valor LoD de 9.498 (p<0.05). En la autentificación de la especie los marcadores 1.2A, 4.1, 4.3, 5.8 y 5.5 fueron específicos para P. guajava, permitiendo discriminar la guayaba de otros individuos taxonómicamente similares de la familia Mirtacea