Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: an alternative to the future in the present

El diagnóstico genético preimplantación (DGP) es una técnica novedosa que se promueve como una alternativa al diagnóstico prenatal y a la terminación voluntaria del embarazo para parejas con riesgo elevado de transmisión de enfermedades genéticas a su descendencia. Tras la aplicación de técnicas de reproducción asis-tida se realiza la biopsia en embriones evolutivos con la extracción de dos blastómeras para su análisis genético. Los embriones que se demuestran libres de la enfermedad genética son transferidos al útero materno. El DGP ha permitido estudiar varios aspectos del desarrollo temprano del embrión y la genética reproductiva, sin embargo también ha suscitado debates éticos en diferentes países a cerca de las técnicas en reproducción humana asistida. [Serrano CJ. Diagnóstico genético preimplantación: una alternativa hacia el futuro en el presente. MedUNAB 2005; 8(2):82-88]Preimplantational genetic diagnosis (PGT) is a new technique, promoted as an alternative for prenatal diagnosis and eventually for the voluntary termination of pregnancy when the couple is willing . Essentially, they are afraid that a genetic disease may be transmitted to their descendents. After the assisted reproduction techniques have been applied, an embryo biopsy is conducted, extracting two of the blastomeres, which are genetically analyzed. Those embryos free from genetic diseases are implanted in the mother uterus. PGT has also allowed the medical community to study different aspects of the early embryo development and the comprehension of reproductive genetics. However these new techniques have given rise to many ethical questions and debates about the moral consequences of routinely practicing PG

Cumplimiento de los agricultores aliados de palnorte s.a.s. con el principio 3 de la norma rspo; compromiso con la viabilidad económica y financiera de largo plazo

El presente artículo tuvo como objetivo determinar la viabilidad económica y financiera de largo plazo de los agricultores aliados de palnorte sas; para lo cual se aplicó un diagnóstico en las fincas de los agricultores que permitió conocer el estado de cumplimiento con el tercer (3) principio contemplado en la norma rspo. Seguidamente se realizó un análisis descriptivo del estado actual de las plantaciones de los agricultores basado en la sección del formulario de diagnóstico “registros de productividad y costos para sostenimiento del cultivo en el tiempo” de palnorte. La información recolectada de cada uno de los agricultores aliados, sobre los ingresos obtenidos y los costos generados durante los periodos 2016, 2017 y 2018, permitió realizar un análisis de cada uno de los aspectos evaluados en el diagnóstico de acuerdo al comportamiento de las cifras. Se analizaron también las respuestas de los agricultores en el diagnóstico respecto a la determinación del cumplimiento del marco legal y tributario y la aplicación de las buenas prácticas agrícolas en el cultivo como empresario palmicultor. Finalmente se formulan estrategias a los palmicultores aliados, que le permitan mejorar sus prácticas y puedan dar cumplimiento del principio 3 de la norma rspo, generando con ello un mayor control de su cultivo en los aspectos administrativo y financiero, obteniendo mayor rentabilidad. Por ello, se recomienda la ejecución de un plan de negocios para el proceso productivo del cultivo de la palma, el cual brinda al palmicultor una herramienta sólida de gestión que le permitirá planificar, coordinar, organizar, y controlar los recursos y actividades y de ese modo ser más eficiente en la creación y gestión del negocio de la palma minimizando posibles riesgos a corto, mediano y largo plazo. También le permitirá conocer la rentabilidad y viabilidad del negocio, estableciendo si vale la pena su desarrollo.The objective of this article was to determine the long-term economic and financial viability of the allied farmers of palnorte sas; for which a diagnosis was applied in the farms of the farmers that allowed to know the state of compliance with the third (3) principle contemplated in the rspo standard. Next, a descriptive analysis of the current state of farmers' plantations was made based on the section of the diagnosis form "records of productivity and costs for sustaining the crop over time" by palnorte. the information collected from each of the allied farmers, on the income obtained and the costs generated during the periods 2016, 2017 and 2018, allowed an analysis of each one of the aspects evaluated in the diagnosis according to the behavior of the figures. The answers of the farmers in the diagnosis with respect to the determination of the compliance of the legal and tributary frame and the application of the good agricultural practices in the cultivation like palm grower businessman were also analyzed. Finally, strategies are formulated to allied palm growers, which will allow them to improve their practices and can comply with principle 3 of the rspo standard, thereby generating greater control of their cultivation in the administrative and financial aspects, obtaining greater profitability. Therefore, it is recommended the implementation of a business plan for the productive process of palm cultivation, which provides the palm grower with a solid management tool that will allow him to plan, coordinate, organize, and control resources and activities and that way to be more efficient in the creation and management of the palm business minimizing possible risks in the short, medium and long term. It will also allow you to know the profitability and viability of the business, establishing if its development is worthwhile

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30: factorial models to Brazilian cancer patients

Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the seven theoretical models proposed in the literature for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), when applied to a sample of Brazilian cancer patients. Methods Content and construct validity (factorial, convergent, discriminant) were estimated. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Convergent validity was analyzed using the average variance extracted. Discriminant validity was analyzed using correlational analysis. Internal consistency and composite reliability were used to assess the reliability of instrument. Results A total of 1,020 cancer patients participated. The mean age was 53.3±13.0 years, and 62% were female. All models showed adequate factorial validity for the study sample. Convergent and discriminant validities and the reliability were compromised in all of the models for all of the single items referring to symptoms, as well as for the "physical function" and "cognitive function" factors. Conclusion All theoretical models assessed in this study presented adequate factorial validity when applied to Brazilian cancer patients. The choice of the best model for use in research and/or clinical protocols should be centered on the purpose and underlying theory of each model.FAPESPinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clinical, dietary and demographic characteristics interfering on quality of life of cancer patients

Objetivo: Estimar a ingestão dietética de pacientes com câncer e sua relação com características clínicas e demográficas, além de verificar a contribuição da ingestão dietética, apetite/sintomas e características clínicas e demográficas para a qualidade de vida deles. Métodos: Foi estimado o consumo de energia e de macronutrientes. A relação entre ingestão dietética e características clínicas e demográficas foi avaliada pela análise de variância. A ingestão de energia e macronutrientes dos pacientes foi comparada com a necessidade nutricional, utilizando intervalo de confiança de 95%. O Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) e o European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ C-30) foram utilizados para avaliar apetite/sintomas e qualidade de vida, respectivamente. As propriedades psicométricas dos instrumentos foram estimadas. Elaborou-se modelo de equações estruturais. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 772 pacientes oncológicos (63,1% mulheres). Observou-se relação significativa entre ingestão dietética e atividade laboral, classe econômica, especialidade do diagnóstico, tipo de tratamento e estado nutricional. O consumo de energia e macronutrientes dos pacientes esteve abaixo do recomendado. Tanto o CASQ quando o EORTC QLQ C-30 foram refinados para bom ajustamento aos dados. No modelo estrutural, comprometimento do apetite, maior acometimento por sintomas, presença de metástase, ser mulher e pertencer às classes econômicas mais altas foram características que contribuíram significativamente para o comprometimento da qualidade de vida dos pacientes oncológicos. Conclusão: A ingestão dietética dos pacientes oncológicos não atingiu os níveis recomendados. Diferentes características impactaram na qualidade de vida dos pacientes e devem ser consideradas em protocolos clínicos e epidemiológicos.ABSTRACT: Objective: To estimate the dietary intake of cancer patients and its relation with clinical and demographic characteristics, and to assess the contribution of dietary intake, appetite/symptoms and clinical and demographic characteristics to their quality of life. Methods: The consumption of energy and macronutrients of patients was estimated. The relation between dietary intake and clinical and demographic characteristics was evaluated by analysis of variance. The intake of energy and macronutrient of the patients was compared to the nutritional recommendations using 95% confidence interval. The Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ C-30) were used to assess appetite/symptoms and quality of life, respectively. The psychometric properties of the instruments were estimated. A structural equation model was prepared. Results: In this study, 772 cancer patients (63.1% women) participated. There was a significant relation between dietary intake and work activity, economic class, specialty field of cancer, type of treatment and nutritional status. Patients’ energy and macronutrients intake was below recommended values. Both CASQ and EORTC QLQ C-30 were refined to fit the data. In the structural model, impaired appetite, more symptoms, presence of metastasis, being female and of higher economic classes were characteristics that significantly contributed to interfering in patients’ quality of life. Conclusion: The dietary intake of oncology patients did not reach the recommended values. Different characteristics impacted on quality of life of patients and should be considered in clinical and epidemiological protocols.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP); Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PLURIPARIDADE NAS ÉGUAS: RELAÇÃO COM CARACTERÍSTICAS MATERNAS, PLACENTÁRIAS E NEONATAIS

A placenta é o órgão de ligação entre a égua e o potro e é um dos principais responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento fetal e pelas características morfométricas do neonato. Essa função se torna cada vez mais importante porque os estudos indicam que as características físicas dos potros predizem o seu desenvolvimento na vida adulta. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi correlacionar número de partos (1-5) e características maternas de éguas com as características placentárias e o tamanho do potro. As éguas foram categorizadas em grupos de acordo com o número de partos sendo G1: 1 parto (n=4); G2: 2 partos (n=6); G3: 3 partos (n=7); G4: 4 partos (n=5); e G5: 5 partos (n=3). Como principais resultados obtidos, o perímetro torácico e o peso da égua pré- e pós-parto influenciaram positivamente peso (p=0,004/ R= 0,51; p=0,002/ R= 0,55; p=0,01/ R= 0,43), altura (p=0,0005/ R= 0,60; p=0,001/ R= 0,57; p=0,005/ R= 0,50) e perímetro torácico (p=0,0001/ R= 0,65; p?0,0001/ R= 0,71; p=0,0002/ R= 0,64) dos potros ao nascimento. Éguas com maior peso corporal no pré-parto apresentaram maior peso placentário (p=0,01/R= 0,45) e pariram potros mais pesados (p=0,003/ R= 0,52) com maior perímetro torácico (p=0,01/ R= 0,45). Os neonatos de éguas do G4 foram os mais pesados, indicando que provavelmente o maior tamanho uterino em éguas pluríparas permita uma maior cobertura placentária, maior área de contato materno fetal e provavelmente maior aporte de nutrientes ao feto. Palavras-chave: equino; gestação; membrana corioalantóide; parto

University Issues Year 5. Number 5. Magazine of the Center for Research in Social Sciences and Arts

La revista Cuestiones Universitarias del Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales y Artes de la Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga presenta a la comunidad académica nacional e internacional su quinta edición, en la que se destacan artículos y trabajos derivados de investigación en sus áreas disciplinares y reseñas y reflexiones no derivadas de investigación, a propósito de diferentes saberes que convergen en las ciencias sociales.Investigación Científica y Tecnológica. - Reflexión Derivada de Investigación. - Revisión no derivada de investigación. - Anaquel.The University Questions magazine of the Center for Research in Social Sciences and Arts of the Autonomous University de Bucaramanga presents its fifth edition to the national and international academic community, which highlights articles and works derived from research in its disciplinary areas and reviews and reflections not derived from research, about different knowledge that converge in the social sciences

Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) for Brazilian Patients: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation Study

Background Appetite and symptoms, conditions generally reported by the patients with cancer, are somewhat challenging for professionals to measure directly in clinical routine (latent conditions). Therefore, specific instruments are required for this purpose. This study aimed to perform a cultural adaptation of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ), into Portuguese and evaluate its psychometric properties on a sample of Brazilian cancer patients. Methods This is a validation study with Brazilian cancer patients. The face, content, and construct (factorial and convergent) validities of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire, the study tool, were estimated. Further, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. The ratio of chi-square and degrees of freedom (χ2 /df), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used for fit model assessment. In addition, the reliability of the instrument was estimated using the composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α), and the invariance of the model in independent samples was estimated by a multigroup analysis (Δχ2). Results Participants included 1,140 cancer patients with a mean age of 53.95 (SD = 13.25) years; 61.3% were women. After the CFA of the original CASQ structure, 2 items with inadequate factor weights were removed. Four correlations between errors were included to provide adequate fit to the sample (χ2 /df = 8.532, CFI = .94, GFI = .95, and RMSEA = .08). Themodel exhibited a low convergent validity (AVE = .32). The reliability was adequate (CR = .82 α = .82). The refined model showed strong invariance in two independent samples (Δχ2 : λ: p = .855; i: p = .824; Res: p = .390). A weak stability was obtained between patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Δχ2 : λ: p = .155; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001), and between patients undergoing chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and palliative care (Δχ2 : λ: p = .058; i: p < .001; Res: p < .001). Conclusion The Portuguese version of the CASQ had good face and construct validity and reliability. However, the CASQ still presented invariance in independent samples of Brazilian patients with cancer. However, the tool has low convergent validity and weak invariance in samples with different treatment

Latitude dictates plant diversity effects on instream decomposition

Running waters contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes through decomposition of terrestrial plant litter by aquatic microorganisms and detritivores. Diversity of this litter may influence instream decomposition globally in ways that are not yet understood. We investigated latitudinal differences in decomposition of litter mixtures of low and high functional diversity in 40 streams on 6 continents and spanning 113 degrees of latitude. Despite important variability in our dataset, we found latitudinal differences in the effect of litter functional diversity on decomposition, which we explained as evolutionary adaptations of litter-consuming detritivores to resource availability. Specifically, a balanced diet effect appears to operate at lower latitudes versus a resource concentration effect at higher latitudes. The latitudinal pattern indicates that loss of plant functional diversity will have different consequences on carbon fluxes across the globe, with greater repercussions likely at low latitudes

Actas del V Congreso ISUF-H Costa Rica 2021: Ciudades espontáneas versus ciudades planificadas: distintos retos, distintas realidades

En el año 2021 celebramos en Costa Rica la V edición del Congreso ISUF-H, los días 1, 2 y 3 de diciembre, con la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Costa Rica como anfitriona del evento. El congreso “Ciudades espontáneas versus ciudades planificadas: distintos retos, distintas realidades” propuso como eje central una reflexión crítica sobre los procesos de urbanización planificada y urbanización espontánea, en el cual se fomente un abordaje de las ciudades como expresión de organización social, económica, ambiental y cultural, enfatizando el carácter ideológico de la urbanización y subrayando su continua construcción como resultado de construcciones complejas. La celebración de un nuevo congreso en América Latina, permitió reforzar la tradición crítica en el abordaje de las ciudades, y reforzar también la necesidad de plantear una perspectiva latinoamericana de los estudios urbanos, y por consiguiente de una teoría urbana latinoamericana. En esta ocasión el congreso se centró en ahondar en la temática de la forma urbana, desde perspectivas transversales que involucren las amplias disciplinas que asumen como objeto de discusión las problemáticas de la ciudad contemporánea y cuestionan la dicotomía planteada entre lo espontáneo y lo planificado. Para la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Costa Rica y su Laboratorio de Ciudad y Territorio es un honor haber podido llevar a cabo esta nueva edición del congreso de la Asociación ISUF-H como segunda sede en un país latinoamericano. Relevante para fortalecer la temática de la forma urbana en la región, reforzando alianzas y estableciendo nuevas redes que permitan compartir conocimientos a partir de las experiencias de esas diversidades urbanas. Auspiciar el debate en torno a la morfología urbana y las diferencias entre esas ciudades espontáneas y las planificadas, fue una oportunidad para reunir a expertos de las distintas latitudes hispánicas.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Arquitectur

Preimplantational genetic diagnosis: an actual alternative with future implications

Preimplantational genetic diagnosis (PGT) isa new technique, promoted as an alternative for prenatal diagnosisand eventually for the voluntary termination of pregnancy whenthe couple is willing . Essentially, they are afraid that a geneticdisease may be transmitted to their descendents. After the assistedreproduction techniques have been applied, an embryo biopsy isconducted, extracting two of the blastomeres, which are geneticallyanalyzed. Those embryos free from genetic diseases are implantedin the mother uterus. PGT has also allowed the medical communityto study different aspects of the early embryo development andthe comprehension of reproductive genetics. However these newtechniques have given rise to many ethical questions and debatesabout the moral consequences of routinely practicing PGT