Competitividad en un mundo globalizado

La competitividad nacional es la palabra clave del siglo veintiuno. Es una inminente tarea que está relacionada estrechamente con la supervivenciay la prosperidad de una nación. Es el factor imprescindible para lograr el aumento de las exportaciones, lo que reduce las restricciones inherentes a una balanza comercial de tendencia deficitaria y, consecuentemente,mejora la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos. En este contexto, el déficit en la balanza comercial de Paraguay hace sentir la necesidad de aumentar la competitividad nacional

Activation of DNA strand exchange by cationic comb-type copolymers: effect of cationic moieties of the copolymers

We have previously reported that poly(l-lysine)-graft-dextran cationic comb-type copolymers accelerate strand exchange reaction between duplex DNA and its complementary single strand by >4 orders of magnitude, while stabilizing duplex. However, the stabilization of the duplex is considered principally unfavourable for the accelerating activity since the strand exchange reaction requires, at least, partial melting of the initial duplex. Here we report the effects of different cationic moieties of cationic comb-type copolymers on the accelerating activity. The copolymer having guanidino groups exhibited markedly higher accelerating effect on strand exchange reactions than that having primary amino groups. The high accelerating effect of the former is considered to be due to its lower stabilizing effect on duplex DNA, resulting from its increased affinity to single-stranded DNA. The difference in affinity was clearly demonstrated by a fluorescence correlation spectroscopy study; the interaction of the former with single-stranded DNA still remained high even at 1 M NaCl, while that of the latter completely disappeared. These results suggest that some modes of interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, other than electrostatic interactions between the copolymers having guanidino groups and DNAs may be involved in strand exchange activation

Nutritional status and weakness following pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation

Survivorship after pediatric HCT has increased over the past decade. Focus on long‐term care and well‐being remains critical due to risk of poor dietary habits and exaggerated sedentary behavior, which can lead to muscle weakness, increased risk for obesity, and cardiometabolic disorders. Nutrition and physical activity are key factors in survivorship; however, data are limited. Comprehensive nutritional assessments, including nutrition‐focused physical examination, grip strength, and food/activity surveys, were completed in 36 pediatric HCT survivors (aged 2‐25 years). Patients were divided into undernutrition, normal‐nutrition, and overnutrition categories. Fifty percent of participants were classified as normal nutrition, 22% undernutrition, and 28% overnutrition. Few patients met the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommended intake for vegetables, fiber, saturated fat, and So FAS. Patients in the undernutrition group demonstrated significantly lower grip strength than those in the normal‐ and overnutrition groups. When grip strength was normalized to body mass, patients in the overnutrition group had the highest prevalence of weakness. Using NHANES reference data, maximum grip strength and NGS cutoffs were identified that could significantly distinguish the nutrition groups. Comprehensive nutritional assessments and grip strength measurements are feasible, non‐invasive, easy to perform, and inform both under‐ and overnutrition in pediatric HCT survivors.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134922/1/petr12821.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134922/2/petr12821_am.pd

Utilization of Laboratory Tests for Tuberculosis and Mycobacterial Disease in Korea

AbstractObjectivesIn Korea, a large portion of tuberculosis (TB) patients are diagnosed and treated in private institutes. Laboratory tests are crucial for TB control. There are many possible problems using laboratory tests in the private sector. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics and trends of utilizing laboratory tests for TB and mycobacterial diseases in the private sector by analyzing the National Health Insurance (NHI) database.MethodsAfter selecting TB or other mycobacteria-related test items, we searched the number and cost of each item on the website of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service using the code of each test from 2007 to 2012.ResultsOur data revealed that the number and cost of tests drastically increased between 2007 and 2012. Culture and molecular tests primarily contributed to the tremendous increases. For each year, concentrated smearing and fluorochrome staining were more commonly used. The number of serologic tests for latent TB infection stagnated, despite the expansion of contact investigation.ConclusionThe NHI data could be considerably useful for understanding the utilization trends of laboratory tests for TB and mycobacterial diseases in Korea. Our data showed that TB laboratory systems have recently improved. In this study, many issues were noticed. Therefore, solutions to these issues are required and the continued monitoring of NHI data regarding laboratory diagnosis

Phase II Trial of Vorinostat plus Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate to Prevent Graft versus Host Disease Following Reduced Intensity Conditioning Related Donor Allogeneic Transplant

UMCC 2008.095 ProtocolFUNDING Merck and Co., Inc., Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Institutes of Health (R01CA143379, 1K23AI091623, P01CA039542, P30CA047904, R01AI15614), St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research UL1TR00043.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100248/1/umcc_2008 095_protocol.pd