Studies of the biological and therapeutic effects of argentine stingless bee propolis

Meliponids are native bees of the Americas, characterized by having no sting (ANSA). Some live in the Yunga forests of northern Argentina, a place rich in a diversity of this type of bees of which at least thirty-three species may be found. Propolis is a resinous substance that bees collect from plants exudates. Chemical composition and functional properties vary according to the flora of the place where the hives are. They have been valued by humans for their biological properties for centuries. This study is aimed at investigating the antinociceptive, antioxidant and anti-biofilm activities of propolis from the stingless bees Tetragonisca fiebrigi Schwarz and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis Schrottky found in Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá of INTA, Tucumán, Argentina. Analgesic activity of the extracts was estimated against acetic acid induced writhing, tail immersion method and formalin test. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching assays. Propolis anti biofilm activity was tested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 6538P bacteria. Phytochemical constituents were obtained using standard chemical methods. The propolis alcoholic extracts of the studied species possess antinociceptive activity at both central and peripheral levels as demonstrated by the three algesia tests used. Both propolis extracts were effective antioxidants in DPPH and β-carotene linoleic acid model systems. S. jujuyensis propolis tested at all doses against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa presented a selective biofilm inhibition unrelated to bacterial growth inhibition, thus achieving a reduction in pathogenicity. The chemical studies revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, catechins, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and anthocyanidins. Chemical composition observed in the T.fiebrigi and S. jujuyensis propolis, suggest that those responsible for the activity would be chemical compounds of a non-phenolic nature. Our data indicate that geopropolis is a natural source of bioactive substances with promising beneficial properties for human health. Isolation and identification of compounds responsible for the pharmacological activities displayed by propolis has started.Fil: Brodkiewicz, Ivana Yanina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Marcinkevicius, Karenina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Salomon Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; Argentin

Discourses of Masculinity and Femininity in The Hunger Games: "Scarred," "Bloody," and "Stunning"

This article explores how characters in The Hunger Games trilogy are portrayed relative to Connell's gendered discourses of hegemonic masculinity, marginal masculinity, and emphasized femininity. We briefly review the plot of The Hunger Games trilogy and then discuss the ways in which three of the characters are represented with respect to societal gendered discourses, heteronormativity, and the use of violence. We argue that the ways in which these aspects are portrayed relate to the main characters' performance of discourses of hegemonic masculinity (Gale), marginalized masculinity (Peeta), and a complex amalgamation of the two that also draws somewhat on emphasized femininity (Katniss). Finally, we conclude that, while the trilogy could be read as taking a feminist stance with a strong female protagonist, it nonetheless also constrains Katniss in heteronormative ways

The challenge of sustaining critique across time and texts: “I never said that” about The Hunger Games

Abstract: This article analyzes how a group of preadolescent girls responded to the novel and film, The Hunger Games (2008; 2012) as explored throughout a series of discussion group sessions. While providing more nuanced interpretations of gender as represented in the novel, the girls were more accepting of normalized heteronormative gender performances in the film adaptation. We argue that these texts simultaneously challenge and reproduce dominant gendered and heteronormative ideas and for the importance of providing all learners with spaces for critical discussion of popular culture texts. RésuméCet article analyse la façon dont un groupe de pré-adolescentes ont réagi au roman et au film The Hunger Games (2008-2012) par une série de discussions en groupe. Bien qu’elles aient des interprétations plus nuancées du genre représenté dans le roman, les jeunes filles acceptaient plus facilement les performances hétéronormatives normalisées selon le genre dans l’adaptation cinématographique. Nous faisons valoir que ces textes remettent en question et reproduisent, simultanément, les idées dominantes hétéronormatives basées sur le genre, ainsi que l’importance d’offrir à tous les apprenants un endroit où ils peuvent discuter de façon critique les textes de la culture populaire

Balanced Scorecard dos centros de saúde familiar do departamento de saúde municipal da comunidade de Puerto Montt, Chile

The use of Balance Scorecards (bsc) has gradually increased in the Chilean health sector. Since 2006, it has been used by various Municipal Health Departments and Family Health Centers (Cesfam) attached to such departments. The bsc is a management model that translates strategy into related objectives that are measured by indicators and linked to certain action plans that allow to adjust the behavior  of the members of an organization. The usefulness of bsc does not depend on the type of company but on the problems it faces. In fact, it has been implemented in both small and large companies and for-profit and non-profit organizations, as shown in this case. This study discusses the development of Cesfam strategic planning in the commune of Puerto Montt, Chile, using the Balance Scorecard (BSC). The implementation of this model involved the work and commitment of each Cesfam’s managing team in the strategic planning process and the determination of all components in the Balance Scorecard.El uso del cuadro de mando integral (CMI) ha aumentado de manera creciente en el sector salud en Chile. A partir del 2006, comenzaron a emplearlo diversos Departamentos de Salud Municipales y Centros de Salud Familiar (Cesfam) dependientes de esos departamentos. El CMI es un modelo de gestión que traduce la estrategia en objetivos relacionados, medidos a través de indicadores, y ligados a unos planes de acción que permiten alinear el comportamiento de los miembros de la organización. La utilidad del CMI no depende del tipo de empresa sino de los problemas que enfrenta, y de hecho se ha implementado en grandes y pequeñas empresas, y en organizaciones con y sin ánimo de lucro, tal como se demuestra en este caso. Se presenta en este estudio el desarrollo de la planificación estratégica de los Cesfam de la comuna de Puerto Montt, Chile, empleando el cuadro de mando integral (CMI) o Balanced Scorecard (BSC). La implementación del modelo implicó el trabajo y compromiso de los equipos gestores de cada uno de los Cesfam en el proceso de planificación estratégica y la definición de la totalidad de los componentes del cuadro de mando.O uso do Balanced Scorecard (BSC) vem aumentando de maneira crescente no setor de saude no Chile. A partir de 2006, diversos Departamentos de Saude Municipais e Centros de Saude Familiar (Cesfam) dependentes desses departamentos comecaram a utiliza-lo.O BSC e um modelo de gestao que traduz a estrategia em objetivos relacionados, medidos por meio de indicadores e ligados a planos de acao que permitem alinhar o comportamento dos membros da organizacao. A utilidade do BSC nao depende do tipo de empresa, mas sim dos problemas que enfrenta e, de fato, vem sendo implantado em grandes e pequenas empresas, alem de organizacoes com ou sem fins lucrativos, tal como se demonstra neste caso.Apresenta-se, neste estudo, o desenvolvimento do planejamento estrategico dos Cesfam da comunidade de Puerto Montt (Chile) utilizando o BSC.A implantacao do modelo implicou o trabalho e o compromisso das equipes gestoras de cada um dos Cesfam no processo de planejamento estrategico e na definicao da totalidade dos componentes do BSC

PENGARUH STRATEGI PEMBELAJARAN DISCOVERY LEARNING BERBANTUAN MINI-MAGZ TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR KOGNITIF BIOLOGI SISWA

Penelitian ini dilakukan karena proses pembelajaran yang digunakan guru sebelumnya adalah pembelajaran teacher centre, yang mana hal tersebut membuat siswa merasa bosan, sehingga hasil belajar yang diperoleh rendah. Maka dari itu, peneliti mencoba untuk menggunakan strategi pembelajaran discovery learning berbantuan mini magz untuk melihat hasil belajar siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh strategi pembelajaran discovery learning berbantuan mini-magz dalam pembelajaran biologi materi sistem ekskresi pada manusia terhadap hasil belajar kognitif biologi siswa. Desain penelitian ini yaitu non equivalent control group design pretest-posttest. Populasi penelitian ini adalah kelas XI MIA di Pesantren Fajrul Iman, yang mana sampelnya menggunakan 2 kelas dengan metode pengambilan sampel jenuh. Kelas XI MIA A sebagai kelas eksperimen yang menggunakan strategi pembelajaran discovery learning disertai dengan membuat ringkasan berformat mini magz, sedangkan kelas XI MIA B sebagai kelas kontrol menggunakan model pembelajaran konvensional. Teknik pengumpulan datanya yaitu menggunakan tes tertulis, yang terdiri dari pretest yang berjumlah 20 soal dan posttest yang berjumlah 20 soal. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis statistik inferensial. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, untuk uji t diperoleh bahwa thitung 3,64 sedangkan ttabel 1,71, itu berarti bahwa thitung > ttabel maka H0 ditolak dan Ha diterima. Kesimpulan dari hasil penelitian ini yaitu terdapat pengaruh strategi pembelajaran discovery learning berbantuan mini magz terhadap hasil belajar kognitif biologi siswa. Saran untuk peneliti lain yaitu apabila peneliti ingin menggunakan strategi pembelajaran discovery learning sebaiknya menyiapkan waktu yang cukup untuk mensosialisasikan strategi ini, supaya hasil yang didapatkan lebih maksimal

Differentiation of argentine propolis from different species of bees and geographical origins by UV spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

Bees collect vegetal resins that they mix with their wax and mechanical impurities to elaborate propolis, whose chemical composition is complex and variable depending on botanical/geographical origin, type of bee, time of year when it was produced and function in the hive. The presence of compounds that absorb UV radiation, such as those of the phenolic type: acids, esters, flavonoids and chalcones, largely responsible for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory biological activity has been reported. The objective of the present work was to establish if it was possible to differentiate Argentine propolis using UV spectroscopy and chemometric analysis, in the following cases: a) Propolis elaborated by three different species of bees (Apis mellifera, Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Scaptotrigona jujuyensis) of the same geographical origin, and b) Propolis produced by a species of bee (Apis mellifera) of four different geographical origins. UV spectrograms were performed in the 190 to 420 nm range for all the samples followed by analysis of principal components, hierarchical clusters and linear discriminants. The results showed that Argentine propolis could be differentiated in the two cases studied, and that A.mellifera, T, fiebrigi and S. jujuyensis would not use the same plant species to produce them.Fil: Maldonado, Luis María. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Marcinkevicius, Karenina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Borelli, Romina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Gennari, Gerardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Salomón, Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Isla, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Farmacia. Cátedra de Farmacoquímica; ArgentinaFil: Borelli, Valeria Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Chaco-Formosa. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Las Breñas; Argentin

Comparison of the Interactions of Transferrin Receptor and Transferrin Receptor 2 with Transferrin and the Hereditary Hemochromatosis Protein HFE

The transferrin receptor (TfR) interacts with two proteins important for iron metabolism, transferrin (Tf) and HFE, the protein mutated in hereditary hemochromatosis. A second receptor for Tf, TfR2, was recently identified and found to be functional for iron uptake in transfected cells (Kawabata, H., Germain, R. S., Vuong, P. T., Nakamaki, T., Said, J. W., and Koeffler, H. P. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 16618-16625). TfR2 has a pattern of expression and regulation that is distinct from TfR, and mutations in TfR2 have been recognized as the cause of a non-HFE linked form of hemochromatosis (Camaschella, C., Roetto, A., Cali, A., De Gobbi, M., Garozzo, G., Carella, M., Majorano, N., Totaro, A., and Gasparini, P. (2000) Nat. Genet. 25, 14-15). To investigate the relationship between TfR, TfR2, Tf, and HFE, we performed a series of binding experiments using soluble forms of these proteins. We find no detectable binding between TfR2 and HFE by co-immunoprecipitation or using a surface plasmon resonance-based assay. The affinity of TfR2 for iron-loaded Tf was determined to be 27 nM, 25-fold lower than the affinity of TfR for Tf. These results imply that HFE regulates Tf-mediated iron uptake only from the classical TfR and that TfR2 does not compete for HFE binding in cells expressing both forms of TfR

Pengaruh Strategi Pembelajaran Discovery Learning Disertai dengan Membuat Ringkasan Berformat Mini-Magz Terhadap Hasil Belajar Biologi Di Pesantren Modern Fajrul Iman Patumbak

Berdasarkan penelitian yang telah dilakukan di kelas XI Pesantren Modern Fajrul Iman Patumbak, sebelumnya pembelajaran yang mereka gunakan hanya menggunakan model pembelajaran konvensional. Maka dari itu, perlu adanya peningkatan dalam penggunaan strategi pembelajaran, yang mana nantinya dapat membuat siswa lebih aktif dan lebih mudah memahami materi yang diajarkan. Penelitian ini dilatar belakangi karena rendahnya hasil belajar siswa, hal ini disebabkan kurang beragamnya strategi pembelajaran yang digunkan guru, sehingga membuat siswa menjadi bosan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh strategi pembelajaran discovery learning disertai dengan membuat ringkasan berformat minimagz dalam pembelajaran biologi materi sistem ekskresi pada manusia terhadap hasil belajar siswa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasi eksperimen menggunakan hasil pretest dan posttest. Populasi penelitian ini adalah kelas XI MIA di Pesantren Fajrul Iman, yang mana sampelnya menggunakan 2 kelas dengan pengambilan sampel jenuh. Kelas XI MIA A sebagai kelas eksperimen yang menggunakan strategi pembelajaran discovery learning disertai dengan membuat ringkasan berformat mini magz, sedangkan kelas XI MIA B sebagai kelas kontrol yang menggunakan model pembelajaran konvensional. Teknik pengumpulan datanya yaitu menggunakan tes, yang terdiri dari pretest dan posttest. Setelah data tes terkumpul, maka selanjutnya data dianalisis menggunakan analisis statistik seperti uji normalitas, uji homogenitas dan uji hipotesis. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa pada kelas eksperimen memiliki rata-rata nilai pretest 56 dan posttest 82,1. Sedangkan pada kelas kontrol memiliki rata-rata nilai pretest 51,7 dan posttest 72,5. Untuk hasil uji t diperoleh bahwa thitung 3,64 sedangkan ttabel 1,71, itu berarti bahwa thitung > ttabel maka H0 ditolak dan Ha diterima. Maka dari itu dapat dilihat dari hasil uji t bahwa terdapat pengaruh strategi pembelajaran discovery learning disertai dengan membuat ringkasan berformat mini magz terhadap hasil belajar sisw

Nutraceutical properties and safety evaluation of fruits and arrope of Geoffroea decorticans (chañar)

Context: Geoffroea decorticans (chañar) fruits and its derivate product (arrope) have been traditionally used as food and in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases including bronchopulmonary disorder. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects and safety of aqueous extract (AE) and arrope (Ar) of chañar.Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of AE and Ar, was evaluated through carrageenan induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. The antitussive activity was evaluated using model against ammonia induced cough in rats. The expectorant activity was evaluated by volume of phenol red in rat?s tracheas. The tested doses of extracts were of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, (p.o.). For the safety evaluation of AE and Ar, was conducted the chronic toxicity test in rats (1 and 2 g/kg, p.o.).Results: The results showed that AE (1000 mg/Kg) significantly reduced the edema (100%) induced by carrageenan 3 h post-dosing and granuloma formation (47.76 %) induced by cotton pellets. In the ammonia liquor induced cough and the amount of phenol red secretion, AE and Ar of chañar (1000 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the latent period of cough, inhibited the cough frequency and significantly enhance tracheal phenol red compared with that negative control. The result of toxicity assays suggested that AE and Ar did not induce or cause any damage to the liver and kidney of the rats and can be considered nontoxic for these animals at tested doses.Discussion and conclusions: This study has shown that the AE and Ar, possess antitussive and expectorant significant effect. Also AE possess significant anti-inflammatory effects, both extracts were nontoxic. These findings seem to justify use of the plant in traditional medicine and are proposed, the chañar fruits as an excellent nutraceutical food.Fil: Reynoso, Marcos Adrian. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Riera, Alicia Noemi. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Nancy Roxana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Competencias adquiridas a través de la experiencia en pregrado y en una agencia de viajes y turismo

El presente informe tiene el objetivo de describir los logros de aprendizaje alcanzados en las competencias profesionales de Diagnostica, Interviene y Evalúa. Para la competencia Diagnostica, se describe el diagnóstico de rotación laboral en una empresa privada de Lima Metropolitana; el cual se realizó mediante la construcción de un Indicador de Rotación de Personal y la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Como resultado, se reportó un índice elevado de rotación debido a que se percibía un clima laboral caracterizado por la poca confianza, comprensión y apoyo mutuo. Para la competencia Interviene, se presentan dos evidencias, una realizada en contexto organizacional y otra en el ámbito escolar. En la primera, se propone el diseño de un taller para desarrollar la comunicación asertiva entre trabajadores; en respuesta a los motivos de rotación identificados en el diagnóstico previo. En la segunda evidencia, se detalla la ejecución de una intervención para fomentar el desarrollo de habilidades empáticas entre adolescentes escolares. Para la competencia Evalúa, se presenta el plan de evaluación de un proyecto denominado “Maqueteando mi Sueño”; para el cual, se diseñó una matriz de evaluación bajo el enfoque de Marco Lógico, en donde se especifican los objetivos e indicadores de logro para cada acción planteada. Finalmente, en el acápite de conclusiones se presenta un balance de las principales fortalezas y oportunidades de mejora en cada una de las competencias del perfil de egreso.The objective of this report is to describe the learning achievements obtained in the professional competencies of Diagnosis, Intervention and Evaluation. For the Diagnosis competency, the diagnosis of job rotation in a private company in Metropolitan Lima is described. This was addressed through the elaboration of a Personnel Turnover Indicator and the application of semi-structured interviews. As a result, a high turnover rate was reported due to the perceived work environment characterized by low trust, understanding and mutual support. For the Intervention competency, two pieces of evidence are presented, one carried out in an organizational context and the other one in an educational environment. In the first case, the design of a workshop intended to develop assertive communication between workers is proposed; given the reasons for rotation that were identified in the previous diagnosis. In the second context, the execution of an intervention to promote the development of empathic skills among school adolescents is detailed. For the Evaluation competency, the evaluation plan of a project called "Maqueteando mi Sueño" is reported. For which, an evaluation matrix was designed following the Logical Framework approach where objectives and achievement indicators are specified for each proposed action. Finally, a balance of the main strengths and opportunities for improvement in each of the competencies of the graduate profile is presented