Serum, Saliva, and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Osteocalcin: Their Relation to Periodontal Status and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Periodontitis and osteoporosis are characterized by the loss of bone mass. Osteocalcin levels have been postulated as a marker of inhibition of bone formation. The aim of the present study was to assess plasma, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of osteocalcin and correlate them with periodontitis and osteoporosis. Methods: Seventy-three postmenopausal women, over 35 years old, were recruited for the study. Serum, saliva, and GCF osteocalcin were measured. Vertebral bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test, and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Thirty-four (46.6%) were classified in the normal healthy bone group, 11 women (15.1%) in the osteopenic group, and 28 women (38.4%) in the osteoporotic group. No statistically significant differences between these densitometric groups were observed in probing depth (P = 0.24); clinical attachment level (P = 0.11); or mean osteocalcin concentrations in serum, saliva, and GCF. Twenty-seven (37.0%) of the women were classified without periodontitis (NPG) and 63.0% (N = 46) with periodontal disease (PG). There were no statistical differences in serum and saliva osteocalcin concentrations between these two groups. GCF osteocalcin concentrations were significantly higher in the PG women than in the NPG group (P = 0.008). Mean probing depth correlated significantly with GCF osteocalcin concentrations (r = 0.35; P = 0.002). Conclusion: The results further support the concept that osteocalcin levels in GCF correlates with periodontal but not with osteoporosis status

Estimating the fatigue law of asphalt mixtures using a strain sweep test (EBADE test)

Fatigue characterization of asphalt mixtures is a very important issue. However, existing techniques to that end are expensive and time consuming. For that reason the asphalt technicians have been studying several different methods to reduce the testing time needed. Such is the case of the Visco-Elastic Continuum Damage models. In that regard, this paper presents the efforts carried out by the Road Research Laboratory at the UPC-BarcelonaTech to reduce that testing time, by implementing a strain sweep test and approximating the fatigue law of the material from the data obtained. The EBADE test was applied to four mixtures for which the conventional fatigue laws were obtained using time sweep tests. The data collected was used to fit a fatigue model based on two strain values that can be directly computed from the EBADE test, namely Failure strain and No Damage strain. A good correlation was found between the model proposed and the experimental data.Postprint (published version

Usando role playing na integração do conhecimento no processo ensino-aprendizagem em enfermagem: avaliação dos alunos

To assess role-playing as a methodology in the teaching-learning process for the Nursing Degree. To identify the attitude of nursing students towards role-playing. To analyze the response of students to their teaching-learning process after role-playing. Relationship is one of the main functions of nursing care in all fields, as it contributes to developing and coping with the various stimuli of life through therapeutic communication, which helps nurses know their role and how to behave according to the situation. Third-year students from the Nursing School of the “X”. Academic years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The reflexive nature of qualitative research is based on Symbolic Interactionism. The subject category chosen is role-playing and it is sorted into the subcategories and codes. Findings from the analysis of the summaries have allowed us to see what actually happens when using role-playing as a teaching-learning tool in nursing, why and what the consequences are.Evaluar el role-playing como metodología en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en la enseñanza del Grado de Enfermería. Identificar la actitud de los estudiantes de enfermería ante el role-playing. Analizar la respuesta de los estudiantes después de realizar el role-playing en su proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. La relación de ayuda es una de las funciones principales de los cuidados de enfermería, en todos los ámbitos con el fin de que se pueda desarrollar y hacer frente a los diversos estímulos de la vida a través de la comunicación terapéutica, que permite a las enfermeras ver su rol con las personas como un marco para “saber estar” en la relación de ayuda. Estudiantes de tercer año de la Escuela de Enfermería de la “X”. Año académico 2006-2007 y 2007-2008. El carácter reflexivo de la investigación cualitativa está fundamentado en el Interaccionismo Simbólico. La categoría temática seleccionada, es la de role-playing que permite una clasificación de subcategorías y códigos. Los resultados del análisis de las síntesis nos han permitido identificar lo que sucede realmente con la utilización del role-playing como herramienta de enseñanza-aprendizaje en enfermería, por qué y cuáles son las consecuencias.Avaliar o role-playing como metodologia no proceso ensino-aprendizagem no ensino de graduação de enfermagem. Identificar as atitudes dos estudantes de enfermagem relacionadas ao role-playing. Analisar a resposta dos alunos no proceso ensinoaprendizagem após realizarem o role-playing. a relação de ajuda é uma das principaisfunções dos cuidados de enfermagem, em todas as dimensões e, através da comunicação terapêutica busca o desenvolvimento das pessoas para enfrentar os diversos estímulos da vida. A comunicação terapêutica permite às enfermeiras reconhecerem seu papel, como um marco para “saber estar” na relação de ajuda. Estudantes de terceiro ano da Escola de Enfermagem “X” nos períodos letivos de 2006-2007 e 2007-2008. A natureza reflexiva desta pesquisa qualitativa baseia-se no interacionismo simbólico. A categoria temática selecionada foi o role-playing, que permitiuuma classificação em subcategorias e códigos. Os resultados permitiram identificar o que realmente acontece com o uso do role-playing como uma ferramenta de ensino e aprendizagem em enfermagem, porquê e quais suas consequências

Effect of filler nature and content on the bituminous mastic behaviour under cyclic loads

The role of the filler in asphalt mixtures is particularly important because of its influence on mastic behaviour. The filler improves the resistance properties of bitumen against the action of traffic loads and temperature. However, the filler can also adversely affect bitumen in mastics excessively brittle and stiff due to inappropriate design. For these reasons, it is interesting to investigate the effect of filler type and content on mastic composition. This paper presents results from a strain sweep test applied to bituminous mastics prepared with different filler types and contents at several temperatures. The obtained stiffness modulus and failure strain results provide information to assess the fatigue behaviour of the analysed mastics.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Complexity of the behaviour of asphalt materials in cyclic testing

This paper compares the results obtained in two types of cyclic tension-compression tests, a time sweep test, constant strain amplitude, and a strain sweep test, increasing strain amplitude every 5000 cycles, called EBADE (standing for the Spanish words for strain sweep test). This comparison has shown that the rapid loss of stiffness during the initial part of cyclic testing is recoverable in bituminous materials. It has been found that reversible phenomena dominate in asphalt binders, while in mixtures are as important as damage. A damage equation has been proposed to describe the evolution of the material distress during the phase II in time sweep tests. In addition, a new methodology to estimate the fatigue law of bituminous mixtures is proposed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Investigación del estigma y las comorbilidades del paciente con Lepra

La Lepra ha sido y sigue siendo una enfermedad olvidada, infradiagnosticada y cargada de un gran estigma social, que influye en muchos aspectos de la vida de las personas afectadas, aisladas ante el rechazo, especialmente si padecen deformidades visibles. El objeto de este estudio busca ahondar en las historias de los pacientes con Lepra que residen en el Sanatorio de Fontilles, en la de sus familiares y el personal sanitario, profundizando en la vivencia de su estigma. Por otro lado, al ampliar el estudio a través de grupos de discusión, se analiza el conocimiento existente sobre Lepra, tanto de la sociedad como de otros profesionales sanitarios. Mientras la sociedad desconoce aspectos básicos de su transmisión, fundamentales para eliminar el estigma asociado a su padecimiento, los propios afectados que la han “superado”, evitan nombrarla y se aíslan entre los muros del leprosorio. Conseguir reducir el estigma contribuiría a superar las barreras existentes favoreciendo su prevención, tratamiento y diagnóstico precoz, evitando su progresión y en consecuencia la afectación de la vida social, económica y psicosocial de los enfermos y enfermas.Leprosy has been and still is an illness in oblivion, underdiagnosed and highly stigmatised in society whilst impacting the lives of people, -hence, being isolated by the rejection of society, especially when one suffers visible deformities. The main of this study is being enable to attain references of the sigma of patients diagnosed with Leprosy, relatives of the cited patients, as well as health worker working in the Sanatorium of Fontilles. In the meantime, expound basic knowledge of Leprosy comprehending two groups of discussion of society and others health workers helped to expand the stigma. Whilst society doesn ́t reckon the basics of Leprosy, those who have overcome the illness are still isolating themselves within the walls of the leper colony. Decrease of Leprosy stigma entails helping to destroy barriers based on prevention, treatment and support, which in turn enables access to early diagnosis. Such course of action would avoid the development of the disease and the social, economic and psychosocial impact in the lives of Leprosy patients and further foster their inclusion in society

San Pedro Martir observations of microvariability in obscured quasars

Fast brightness variations are a unique tool to probe the innermost regions of active galactic nuclei (AGN). These variations are called microvariability or intra-night variability, and this phenomenon has been monitored in samples of blazars and unobscured AGNs. Detecting optical microvariations in targets hidden by the obscuring torus is a challenging task because the region responsible for the variations is hidden from our sight. However, there have been reports of fast variations in obscured Seyfert galaxies in X-rays, which rises the question whether microvariations can also be detected in obscured AGNs in the optical regime. Because the expected variations are very small and can easily be lost within the noise, the analysis requires a statistical approach. We report the use of a one-way analysis of variance, ANOVA, with which we searched for microvariability. ANOVA was successfully employed in previous studies of unobscured AGNs. As a result, we found microvariable events during three observing blocks: in two we observed the same object (Mrk 477), and in another, J0759+5050. The results on Mrk 477 confirm previous findings. However, since Mrk 477 is quite a peculiar target with hidden broad-line regions, we cannot rule out the possibility that we have serendipitously chosen a target prone to variations.Comment: Research note, 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Mesoporous Silica-Based Supports for the Controlled and Targeted Release of Bioactive Molecules in the Gastrointestinal Tract

JFS Special Issue: 75 Years of Advancing Food Science, and Preparing for the Next 75Mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) have attracted increasing interest as supports in the design of controlled delivery materials. Besides their excellent properties as loading supports (that is, large surface area and pore volume), the modification of their external surface with molecular/supramolecular ensembles allows the design of gated MSPs. Delivery systems based on gated MSPs show zero delivery until an adequate stimulus is present and triggers gate opening and the cargo is released. Encapsulation of bioactive molecules in gated MSPs may improve biological stability, facilitate component handling, mask unpleasant sensorial properties, and modulate the bioaccessibility of target molecules along the gastrointestinal tract. These properties make gated MSPs excellent candidates for encapsulating bioactive molecules and their subsequent utilization in the formulation of functional foods. This text highlights the most significant endogenous triggering stimuli that might be applied to design these site-specific delivery systems, as well as the strategies to develop them. Given the novelty of using MSPs in the food sector, the benefits and current potential limitations of employing MSPs in human food have been identified and discussed.Authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Projects AGL2012-39597-C02-01, AGL2012-39597-C02-02, and MAT2012-38429-C04-01) and the Generalitat Valenciana (project PROME-TEO/2009/016). E.P. and M.R. are grateful to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for their grants (AP2008-00620, AP2010-4369).Pérez-Esteve, É.; Ruiz Rico, M.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Barat Baviera, JM. (2015). Mesoporous Silica-Based Supports for the Controlled and Targeted Release of Bioactive Molecules in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Journal of Food Science. 80(11):E2504-E2516. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.13095SE2504E2516801

Comercialización de Miel de Abejas del Bosqueen el municipio El Tuma La Dalia, departamento deMatagalpa, II Semestre 2018

El presente proyecto titulado Comercialización de Miel de Abejas del Bosque,se desarrolla en la comunidad de Wasaka Arriba en el II Semestre del año 2018, del Municipio El Tuma La Dalia el cual es un plan denegocios para la realización de un emprendimiento de comercialización en apicultura. El plan de emprendimiento comprende de aporte de capital propio para el acopio de miel y las ventas se realizaran en su punto de establecimiento.Según el Codex alimentarius: se entiende por miel la sustancia dulce natural pronéctardelasflores o de secreciones de partes vivas de lasplantas.El valor nutritivo de la miel está constituido en gran parte de glúcidos (75- 80%)y agua (20 %) los principales glúcidos son la glucosa y la fructosa lo que convierte en un producto altamente energético contiene además vitaminas, sales minerales, proteínas y enzimas en pequeñas cantidades. Para la ejecución de este proyecto es importante señalar que se llevó a cabo con el acopio de 290 kg de miel para su debida comercialización con los estándares de calidad.El segmento de mercado en donde se está comercializando este producto es la población del Municipio el Tuma – La Dalia que disfruta del sabor exquisito de la miel de abeja, en donde podemos encontrar presentaciones de 1000 ml a un costo de C$250.00, Presentaciones de 500ml a un costo de C$ 130.00 y presentaciones de 333 ml a un costo de C$ 90.00 donde lo pueden adquirir de acorde al bolsillo del consumido

Nanotechnology in the Development of Novel Functional Foods or their Package. An Overview Based in Patent Analysis

[EN] In recent years nanotechnology has become a significant component in food industry. It is present in all food chain steps, from the design of new ingredients or additives, to the most modern systems of food quality methods or packaging, demonstrating the great potential of this new technology in a sector as traditional as food. However, while interest by industry in nanotechnology increases, the rejection by consumers, concerned about the potential risk, does too. The aim of this review is to evaluate the development of food nanotechnology by means of a patent analysis, highlighting current applications of nanotechnology along the whole food chain and contextualizing this evolution in the social scene.Financial support from the Spanish Government (project MAT2009-14564-C04-01 and AGL2010-20539) and the Generalitat Valencia (project PROMETEO/2009/016) are gratefully acknowledged. E.P. thanks the Ministerio de Educación for a fellowshipPérez-Esteve, É.; Bernardos Bau, A.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Barat Baviera, JM. (2013). Nanotechnology in the Development of Novel Functional Foods or their Package. An Overview Based in Patent Analysis. Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition and Agriculture. 5(1):35-43. https://doi.org/10.2174/2212798411305010006S35435