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Persistent bacterial infections are the leading risk factor that complicates the healing of chronic wounds. In this work, we formulate mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol (P), chitosan (CH), collagen (C), and honey (H) to produce nanofibrous membranes with healing properties. The honey effect at concentrations of 0 % (PCH and PCHC), 5 % (PCHC-5H), 10 % (PCHC-10H), and 15 % (PCHC-15H) on the physicochemical, antibacterial, and biological properties of the developed nanofibers was investigated. Morphological analysis by SEM demonstrated that PCH and PCHC nanofibers had a uniform and homogeneous distribution on their surfaces. However, the increase in honey content increased the fiber diameter (118.11-420.10) and drastically reduced the porosity of the membranes (15.79-92.62 nm). The addition of honey reduces the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and the adsorption properties of the membranes. Mechanical tests revealed that nanofibers were more flexible and elastic when honey was added, specifically the PCHC-15H nanofibers with the lowest modulus of elasticity (15 MPa) and the highest elongation at break (220 %). Also, honey significantly improved the antibacterial efficiency of the nanofibers, mainly PCHC-15H nanofibers, which presented the best bacterial reduction rates against Staphylococcus aureus (59.84 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47.27 %), Escherichia coli (65.07 %), and Listeria monocytogenes (49.58 %). In vitro tests with cell cultures suggest that nanofibers were not cytotoxic and exhibited excellent biocompatibility with human fibroblasts (HFb) and keratinocytes (HaCaT), since all treatments showed higher or similar cell viability as opposed to the cell control. Based on the findings, PVA-chitosan-collagen-honey nanofibrous membranes have promise as an antibacterial dressing substitute.

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The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is one of the most extensively distributed kinases among intracellular signal cascades, with a pivotal role in the regulation of various processes, including the capacitation of sperm cells. Traditional assessments of PKA activity relies on the utilization of [γ-32P] ATP and the Kemptide substrate. This methodology presents several major drawbacks, including high-costs and health risks derived from the manipulation of radioactive isotopes. In this work we introduce an enhanced non-radioactive assay for quantifying PKA activity, termed KiMSA which relies on the use of a fluorescent-labeled Kemptide (Kemptide-FITC). Once the kinase reaction is terminated, the products can be easily resolved through electrophoresis on an agarose gel and quantified by fluorescence densitometry. We show that the KiMSA assay is suitable for purified PKA, and also to address both basal and capacitation induced PKA activity in mouse sperm cells. Furthermore, the assay enables monitoring the inhibition of PKA with inhibitors such as sPKI and H-89 in live cells. Therefore, the experimental and optimal assay conditions are set so that the KiMSA assay can be used to either assess in vitro as well as in vivo PKA activity in sperm cells. Finally, this method allows for measurement of cAMP concentrations, rendering a versatile technique for the study of cAMP/PKA pathways.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the effects of endoscopic sinus surgery and endonasal approaches to the skull base on olfaction. RECENT FINDINGS: Advancements in endonasal endoscopic approaches to the sinuses and skull base allow for direct treatment of a variety of sinonasal and skull base diseases. However, these extended approaches will often require manipulation of normal anatomical structures and the olfactory neuroepithelium. Depending on the planned procedure and extent of disease, the prognosis of olfactory perception can vary significantly among patients. Endoscopic sinonasal surgical procedures may impact olfaction. Optimizing olfactory function requires proper surgical techniques, gentle handling of tissue, and perioperative care. Surgeons must discuss objectives and manage patient expectations. Routine olfactory assessment is crucial in surgical work-up and follow-up. Preserving anatomical structures while addressing the obstruction of the olfactory cleft helps to prevent decreased olfactory threshold. However, smell identification and discrimination do not always correlate with sinonasal anatomy.

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RNA guanine quadruplexes (G4s) regulate RNA functions, metabolism, and processing. G4s formed within precursors of microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) may impair pre-miRNAs maturation by Dicer, thus repressing mature miRNA biogenesis. As miRNAs are essential for proper embryonic development, we studied the role of G4s on miRNA biogenesis in vivo during zebrafish embryogenesis. We performed a computational analysis on zebrafish pre-miRNAs to find putative G4 forming sequences (PQSs). The precursor of the miRNA 150 (pre-miR-150) was found to contain an evolutionarily conserved PQS formed by three G-tetrads and able to fold in vitro as G4. MiR-150 controls the expression of myb, which shows a well-defined knock-down phenotype in zebrafish developing embryos. We microinjected zebrafish embryos with in vitro transcribed pre-miR-150 synthesized using either GTP (G-pre-miR-150) or 7-Deaza-GTP, a GTP analogue unable to form G4s (7DG-pre-miR-150). Compared to embryos injected with G-pre-miR-150, embryos injected with 7DG-pre-miR-150 showed higher levels of miRNA 150 (miR-150) and lower levels of myb mRNA and stronger phenotypes associated with myb knock-down. The incubation of pre-miR-150 prior to the injection with the G4 stabilizing ligand pyridostatin (PDS) reverted gene expression variations and rescued the phenotypes related to myb knock-down. Overall, results suggest that the G4 formed in pre-miR-150 functions in vivo as a conserved regulatory structure competing with the stem-loop structure necessary for miRNA biogenesis.

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Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids, including horses. EP has a global distribution and often leads to a significant socioeconomic impact on the equine industry. Infected animals remain as carriers and become a source of infection for tick vectors, thereby posing an immense challenge in the disease management. Therefore, detection of these carriers is crucial to assess the risk of transmission and to implement appropriate control measures in endemic countries. Paraguay is a tropical country where various tick-borne diseases are common among livestock; however, the status of EP remains unknown in this country. Because the tick vectors capable of transmitting T. equi and B. caballi are endemic in Paraguay, we hypothesised that Paraguayan horses are infected with these parasite species. To test our hypothesis, we prepared blood DNA samples from a total of 545 apparently healthy horses in 16 of the 17 departments of Paraguay and analysed them with specific PCR assays to detect T. equi and B. caballi. The PCR results showed that 178 (32.7%) and 8 (1.5%) of the horses were infected with T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. Among the infected horses, two (0.4%) were infected with both parasite species. Our analyses further indicated that the positive rates of T. equi infection did not differ between horse breeds, males and females, or age groups. We also found that haematological parameters were the same between the non-infected animals and animals with single infections. By contrast, the two horses co-infected with T. equi and B. caballi had haemoglobin and haematocrit values lower than the normal ranges. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Paraguayan horses are infected with T. equi and B. caballi and that the rate of T. equi infection is higher than that of B. caballi. Our findings highlight the need to add EP to the list of differential diagnoses when anaemic horses are presented to equine clinics in Paraguay.

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Animal trypanosomosis, caused by Trypanozoon trypanosomes (Trypanosoma evansi and T. equiperdum), and Trypanosoma vivax, is endemic to South American countries and has a negative impact on the livestock industry. However, the risk factors for trypanosomosis in Paraguay remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for equine trypanosomosis in Paraguay based on a PCR-based molecular survey and individual horse sampling data. In this study, 739 blood samples were collected from horses in 16 departments of Paraguay between August 2019 and November 2020. To elucidate the risk factors for trypanosome infection, the relationship between trypanosome infection status detected by PCR and the location, sex, age, breed of horses, and season of sample collection was analyzed. There were no significant differences in trypanosome prevalence in horses between the eastern and western regions, ages, or breeds of horses in Paraguay. Sex and season were identified as risk factors for trypanosome infection in horses in Paraguay in the current study. These results suggest that the rainy-summer season, when vectors increase in number and their blood-sucking activity, could be the most important risk factor for trypanosome infection in Paraguay horses. Preventive measures and treatments should be developed to address these factors.

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Despite the epidemic situation of animal trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma equiperdum and Trypanosoma vivax in South American countries, there are no reports for the prevalence of animal trypanosomes in Paraguay. In this study, 408 blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy horses from sixteen departments of Paraguay, for routine medical check-up from August to September 2019, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cross-sectional study was carried out to identify trypanosome prevalence. The prevalence of Trypanozoon (T. evansi and T. equiperdum) and T. vivax was 7.11% (29/408) and 26.23% (107/408), respectively. Mixed infections were detected in 4.90% (20/408) of the samples. Some of the selected trypanosome positive samples were confirmed as T. vivax and T. evansi Type A by sequence analysis of the internal transcribe spacer region and RoTat1.2 variant surface glycoprotein gene, respectively. In conclusion, we found higher prevalence of T. vivax than Trypanozoon in Paraguayan horses. However, the genotypic variation should be verified in further studies.

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The neural crest is a multipotent cell population that develops from the dorsal neural fold of vertebrate embryos in order to migrate extensively and differentiate into a variety of tissues. A number of gene regulatory networks coordinating neural crest cell specification and differentiation have been extensively studied to date. Although several publications suggest a common role for microRNA-145 (miR-145) in molecular reprogramming for cell cycle regulation and/or cellular differentiation, little is known about its role during in vivo cranial neural crest development. By modifying miR-145 levels in zebrafish embryos, abnormal craniofacial development and aberrant pigmentation phenotypes were detected. By whole-mount in situ hybridization, changes in expression patterns of col2a1a and Sry-related HMG box (Sox) transcription factors sox9a and sox9b were observed in overexpressed miR-145 embryos. In agreement, zebrafish sox9b expression was downregulated by miR-145 overexpression. In silico and in vivo analysis of the sox9b 3'UTR revealed a conserved potential miR-145 binding site likely involved in its post-transcriptional regulation. Based on these findings, we speculate that miR-145 participates in the gene regulatory network governing zebrafish chondrocyte differentiation by controlling sox9b expression.

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The tailings spilled by the Fundão Dam rupture in the Doce River basin (Brazil) had a high pH, elevated sodium (Na) and ether amine, and low soil organic matter. With the aim of decreasing the toxic compounds, we established 2 remediation strategies: treatment 1, phytoremediation with tolerant native species of the Atlantic Forest cultivated on scraped sediment plus the incorporation of organic matter; and treatment 2, phytoremediation with native species plus superficial deposition of organic matter. The experimental site was compared with a degraded site that the dam tailings had reached and with a preserved site, a fragment of preserved Atlantic Forest. After 12 mo, plants showed an outstanding growth, especially after treatment 1 (~4 m), and the remediation procedures resulted in significant decreases in pH (from 8.0 to ~ 6.0), Na (from 154 to 22-35 mg/kg), electrical conductivity, and ether amine (from 6.0 to 0.5 mg/kg) in both treatments. By contrast, ammonium, a product of ether amine degradation, showed a significant increase in the experimental site, along with a significant increase in nitrate and improvement of soil microbial populations assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The treatments also improved soil fertility in the experimental site, as estimated by soil nutrients, cation exchange capacity, and soil aggregation. Based on the parameters analyzed, a principal component analysis showed that samples from the degraded site and the preserved site clustered in an opposite position and those from the experimental site clustered in an intermediate position but closer to the samples from the preserved site. Overall, our results demonstrated that the remediation procedures adopted were effective and resulted in rehabilitation of a riparian forest contaminated with dam tailings that included Na and ether amine. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2359-2373. © 2021 SETAC.

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The failure of the Fundão dam in Brazil spilled alkaline contaminated sediments (pH ~8) into the Doce River basin. The contaminated sediments had high levels of ether amine (6 mg/kg) and Na (54 mg/kg) in relation to those in preserved sites. In the present study, a riparian forest was established over contaminated sediment using 2 main remediation strategies: phytoremediation with species native to the Atlantic forest and previously selected for their tolerance to sediment toxicity, and physicochemical remediation by incorporating organic matter (OM) into the sediment. In the experimental site (ES), the tolerant native woody species were cultivated in 2 treatments: T1, scraping of the sediments and incorporation of the OM, and T2, nonmanaged sediment and superficial deposition of the OM. The results were compared with the findings from a degraded site (DS), which was reached by the contaminated sediments but lacked vegetation, and a preserved site (PS), which was composed of a fragment of preserved Atlantic forest. Six months after transplanting, the plants from T1 showed a better height growth performance and survival index in relation to those from T2. Furthermore, T1 showed a significant decline in the pH (to ~6) concomitant with a reduction in the ether amine and Na contents (to ~0.4 mg/kg and 23 mg/kg, respectively). There was an improvement in the soil fertility and total microbial biomass in both treatments, especially in T1. Therefore, the adopted phyto- and physicochemical remediation procedures are recommended to reclaim zones reached by dam tailings containing Na and ether amine. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:669-675. © 2020 SETAC.

A ruptura da Barragen de Fundão em Mariana (Brazil) lançou um sedimento alcalino (pH ~8) ao longo da Bacia do Rio Doce. O sedimento contaminado apresentou altos níveis de éter-amina (6 mg/kg) e Na (54 mg/kg) em relação aqueles encontrados na área preservada. No presente estudo, uma floresta riparia foi estabelecida sobre este sedimento contaminado usando-se 2 estratégias de remediação: Fito-remediação com espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica, previamente selecionadas pela tolerância à toxicidade do sedimento, e remediação físico química pela raspagem superficial do sedimento e aplicação de matéria orgânica (OM). Na área experimental (ES) as espécies arbóreas da mata Atlântica selecionadas foram plantadas sob 2 tratamentos: T1, Raspagem superficial do sedimento e incorporação da OM, e T2, sedimento não foi manejado e recebeu aplicação superficial de OM. Os resultados foram comparados com aqueles obtidos na área degradada (DS), atingida pelo sedimento contaminado e sem vegetação, assim como com aqueles obtidos em uma área preservada (PS), constituída de um fragmento de Mata Atlântica. Após seis meses do plantio as plantas de T1 apresentaram um maior crescimento em altura e maior taxa de sobrevivência que as plantas de T2. Além disto ES, especialmente T1 mostraram um significante declínio do pH (~6.0) e concomitante redução nos teores de éter-amina e Na (~0.4 mg/kg e 23 mg/kg, respectivamente). Os procedimentos de remediação permitiram também um significativo aumento da fertilidade química e da biomassa microbiana do sedimento em ambos os tratamentos, especialmente em T1. Assim, os procedimentos de remediação físico-quimica e fitoremediação aqui adotados, são recomendados para recuperar as zonas atingidas pelo rejeito da barragem contaminado com sódio e éter-amina. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:669-675.

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The objectives of this study were: to assess the efficiency of high hydrostatic pressure or ultra-high pressure homogenization against Mycobacterium smegmatis in milk and to discuss whether M. smegmatis can be considered a suitable surrogate for other Mycobacterium spp. in high pressure inactivation trials using milk. Three strains of this specie (CECT 3017, 3020 and 3032) were independently inoculated into both skimmed (0.2% fat) and whole milk (3.4% fat) at an approximate load of 6.5 Log CFU/ml and submitted to HHP treatments at 300, 400 or 500 MPa for 10 m at 6°C and 20°C. Evolution of the surviving cells of the inoculated strains was evaluated analysing milk immediately after the treatments and after 5 and 8 d of storage at 6°C. HHP treatments at 300 MPa were seldom efficient at inactivating M. smegmatis strains, but lethality increased with pressure applied in all cases. Generation of sub-lethal injured cells was observed only after 400 MPa treatments since inactivation at 500 MPa was shown to be complete. Significant differences were not observed due to either temperature of treatment or fat content of milk, except for strain CECT3032, which was shown to be the most sensitive to HHP treatments. Milk inoculated with strain CECT3017 was submitted to ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH) treatments at 200, 300 and 400 MPa. Maximum reductions were obtained after 300 and 400 MPa treatments, although less than 3.50 Log CFU/ml were inactivated. UHPH did not cause significant number of injured cells. The usefulness of this species as a marker for pressure-based processing seems limited since it showed greater sensitivity than some pathogenic species including other Mycobacteria reported in previous studies.

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RESUMEN Introducción: La terapia con ondas de choque extracorpórea de baja intensidad ha demostrado ser útil en el tratamiento de los pacientes con angina de pecho refractaria. Objetivo: Valorar los resultados de este tipo de terapia en pacientes con angina refractaria al tratamiento farmacológico. Método: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental en 30 pacientes con angina de pecho refractaria a tratamiento, seleccionados de forma no probabilística a partir de los criterios de inclusión. A todos los pacientes se les aplicó terapia con ondas de choque extracorpórea de baja intensidad en el Cardiocentro Ernesto Guevara de Santa Clara, en el período comprendido de enero a diciembre de 2017. Se analizaron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y ecocardiográficas al inicio del tratamiento y 6 meses después de concluido este. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos demostraron una mejoría de la clase funcional (CF) de la Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS). Previo al tratamiento el 76,7% de los pacientes tenían una CF III y un 23,3% una CF IV, y a los 6 meses de concluida la terapia el 73,3% mejoró a la CF II y solo un 26,7% quedó en CF III. También se evidenció mejoría con respecto a parámetros ecocardiográficos como la motilidad regional y la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, la cual, en los hombres, de una media al inicio de la terapia de un 37,81% alcanzó 44,14% a los 6 meses de concluida; y en las mujeres, de una media de 37,11% inicial llegó a 47,22% a los 6 meses después. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con ondas de choque constituye una alterativa terapéutica para los pacientes con angina refractaria.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy has proven useful in the treatment of patients with refractory angina pectoris. Objective: To assess the results of this type of therapy in patients with refractory angina to drug treatment. Method: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in 30 patients with refractory angina pectoris to treatment, selected in a non-probabilistic way, taking into account the following inclusion criteria. All patients were applied low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the Cardiocentro Ernesto Guevara of Santa Clara, in the period from January to December 2017. Epidemiological, clinical and echocardiographic variables were analyzed at the beginning of the treatment and six months after it was completed. Results: The results obtained demonstrated an improvement of the functional class (FC) of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS). Previous to treatment, 76.7% of patients had a FC III and 23.3% a FC IV, and after six months of completed therapy, 73.3% improved to FC II and only 26.7 % remained in FC III. There was also an improvement with respect to echocardiographic parameters such as regional motility and left ventricular ejection fraction, which, in men, of an average at the start of therapy of 37.81% it reached 44.14% at six months of completed; and in women, of an average of 37.11% initially, it reached 47.22 % six months later. Conclusions: The treatment with shock waves represents a therapeutic alternative for patients with refractory angina.

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Anthropogenic debris ingestion has been reported for green turtles in all their life stages worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the marine debris ingestion by green turtles stranded in Uruguayan coast between 2005 and 2013. Debris items were categorized and quantified by frequency of occurrence, relative weight, volume and number of items. A total of 96 dead stranded turtles were analyzed and 70% presented debris in their guts. The majority of debris found were plastic, being hard plastics the most abundant in weight. We found no differences in debris ingestion in stranded turtles a long the Uruguayan coast. However we detected a negative correlation between the presence of debris and turtle's size. Smaller turtles are new recruits to neritic grounds indicating that the early juvenile stage of this species is the most vulnerable to this threat in the Southwestern Atlantic.

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Resumen Objetivo: Analizar el comportamiento que han tenido los indicadores de productividad y rentabilidad financieros en las empresas prestadoras de salud del Régimen Contributivo en Colombia entre 2008 y 2010. Materiales y métodos: Investigación aplicada, cuantitativa e inductiva con utilización de Análisis Discriminante (ADM), que permitió analizar el comportamiento de los indicadores seleccionados. Resultados: Se pudo evidenciar y demostrar en el trabajo de investigación que el análisis de las medias del indicador Utilidad Operacional / Valor agregado (IP2) este presentó diferencias significativas. Para el análisis de la función discriminante mejoraron los indicadores Utilidad Bruta / Ingresos Operacionales (MB) y Utilidad Operacional / Valor agregado (IP2) durante los periodos 2008 y 2010 en las entidades de salud del Régimen Contributivo. Conclusiones: A través de método utilizado se pudo analizar el comportamiento relacionado con los indicadores analizados en los años estudiados y concluir que estos presentaron diferencias relevantes. Así mismo, se puede predecir el análisis de la población con un 61,1 % de probabilidad.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the behavior that profitability and productivity financial indicators have had in Health Provider Companies from the contributory scheme in Colombia, between 2008 and 2010. Materials and Methods: Applied, quantitative and inductive research using discriminant Analysis (ADM), which allowed to analyze the behavior of the selected indicators. Results: It was evident and demonstrated in the research work that the analysis of the Operating Income/Value Added Tax (IP2) indicator presented significant differences. For the analysis of the discriminant function, indicators Gross Profit/Operating Revenues (MB) and Operating Income/Value Added Tax (IP2) improved during the periods 2008 and 2010 on the Health Entities from the Contributory Scheme. Conclusions: Through the method used, it was able to analyze the behavior related to the analyzed indicators in the years studied and conclude that these had significant differences. Likewise one can predict the analysis of population with 61.1 % probability.

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Prevention and avoidance of deadlocks in sensor networks that use the wormhole routing algorithm is an active research domain. There are diverse control policies that will address this problem being our approach a new method. In this paper we present a virtual control policy for the new specialized Petri net subclass called Binary Ordered Resources Petri Net (BORPN). Essentially, it is an ordinary class constructed from various state machines that share unitary resources in a complex form, which allows branching and joining of processes. The reduced structure of this new class gives advantages that allow analysis of the entire system's behavior, which is a prohibitive task for large systems because of the complexity and routing algorithms.

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Tetrahymena thermophila transforms exogenous cholesterol into pro-vitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol) with remarkable efficiency in a one-step reaction carried out by a C-7 cholesterol desaturase. The enzyme DES7 is encoded by the gene TTHERM_00310640, identified with RNAi and gene knock-out experiments, but has not yet been heterologously expressed actively in any organism. A model derived from its amino acid sequence classified DES7p as a Rieske-type oxygenase with transmembrane localization. The protein has catalytic activity, sequence and topological similarity to DAF-36/Neverland proteins involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones in insects and nematodes. Due to their structural and functional similarity, we analyzed the expression of a codon optimized DES7 gene from Tetrahymena in the insect Sf9 cell line, identified and measured the steroid metabolites formed, and extended the actual knowledge on its localization. We found that the accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol could be increased 16-40-fold in Spodopterafrugiperda, depending on physiological conditions, by overexpression of T. thermophila DES7. The protein was detected in the microsomal fraction, in accordance with previous reports. Although the electron transfer chain for Des7p/DAF-36/Neverland Rieske-type oxygenases is presently unknown, we identified possible donors in the ciliate and insect genomes by bioinformatic analysis. In spite of the large evolutionary distance between S. frugiperda and T. thermophila, the results indicate that there is significant functional conservation of the electron donors, since the ciliate's sterol desaturase can function in the context of the insect electron transport system. The results achieved demonstrate that DES7 is the first gene from a ciliate, coding for a microsomal enzyme, expressed in active form in an insect cell line.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between health literacy levels and medication adherence in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of adolescents ages 12-21 years was recruited April-September 2011 at an urban adolescent health center. Health literacy and medication adherence was measured via the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-TEEN (REALM-TEEN) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale. The interrelated effects of age, sex, chronic illness, learning disability, health rating, and health literacy on adherence to medication were explored via the use of regression trees. RESULTS: Of 138 adolescents surveyed, 112 (81%) were included in the analysis because they reported ever taking a medication and completed all survey questions. Median participant age was 16.1 years, 94% were African American, and 64% were female. Median REALM-TEEN score was 57 (6th-7th grade; range 0-66). Median ARMS score was 21 (poor; range 0-56). A positive correlation was found between worse adherence (greater ARMS scores) and self-report of a learning disability (P = .041), and between ARMS scores and having a chronic illness (P = .003). The ARMS and REALM-TEEN scores were not correlated (P = .069). Regression tree analysis indicated that adolescents with both a chronic illness and a learning disability had worse ARMS scores (median score 24), compared with adolescents having only a chronic illness (median score 22), independent of health literacy scores. CONCLUSION: Almost one-quarter of adolescents reported having a learning disability and had worse medication adherence independent of health literacy levels. This finding suggests other cognitive factors, beyond reading, may play a role in medication adherence.

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Abstract: Rosenberg's self-esteem scale has been extensively used in all areas of psychology to assess global self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965, 1979). Its construct validity, and specifically its factor structure, has almost from the beginning been under debate. More than four decades after its creation the cumulated evidence points that the scale measures a single trait (self-esteem) but confounded by a method factor associated to negatively worded items. The aim of the study is to examine the measurement invariance of the RSES by gender and test potential gender differences at the latent (trait and method) variable level, while controlling for method effects, in a sample of Spanish students. A series of completely a priori structural models were specified, with a standard invariance routine implemented for male and female samples. The results lead to several conclusions. Conclusions: a) the scale seem gender invariant for both trait and method factors; b) there were small but significant differences between males and females in self-esteem, differences that favored male respondents; and c) there were statistically non-significant differences between men and women in the method factor's latent means.

Resumen: La Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (EAR) ha sido utilizada extensamente en todas las áreas de la Psicología para evaluar la autoestima (Rosenberg, 1965, 1979). Su validez de constructo, y particularmente su estructura factorial, ha estado en debate casi desde que fue construida. Más de cuatro décadas después de su creación, la evidencia acumulada señala que la escala evalúa un solo rasgo (autoestima), aunque se confunde con un método factorial asociado de manera negative con reactivos verbales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la estabilidad de la medición de la EAR entre sexos y poner a prueba potenciales diferencias entre los mismos en un nivel latente de la variable (rasgo y estado), controlando efectos de método, en una muestra de estudiantes españoles. Se especificaron una serie de modelos estructurales a priori, con rutinas implementadas de invarianza estándar para muestras de hombres y mujeres. Los resultados llevan a diferentes conclusiones: a) La escala parece ser invariable ante el sexo tanto para factores de rasgo como de estado; b) existieron diferencias pequeñas, pero significativas, entre hombres y mujeres en autoestima, favoreciendo ligeramente a los hombres; y, c) no existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre hombres y mujeres en las medias de la variable latente del factor.

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Polycyclic triterpenoids, such as sterols and hopanoids, are essential components of plasmatic membrane in eukaryotic organisms. Although it is generally assumed that ciliates do not synthesize sterols, and many of them are indeed auxotrophic, a large set of annotated genomic sequences and experimental data from recently studied organisms indicate that they can carry putative genes and respond to the presence/absence of precursors in various ways. The pre-squalene pathway, for instance, is largely present in all sequenced ciliates except in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis; although Paramecium tetraurelia lacks the squalene synthase and Oxytricha trifallax the squalene hopene synthase, in addition to the former. On the other hand, the post-squalene pathway, requiring oxygen in several steps, is mostly incomplete in all ciliates analyzed. Nevertheless, a number of predicted genes, with high sequence similarity to C-4 methyl oxidase/s, C-14 demethylase, C-5 and C-7 desaturases and C-24 reductase of sterols are found in Tetrahymena and Paramecium, and scattered in other Stichotrichia ciliates. Moreover, several of these sequences are present in multiples paralogs, like the C-7 desaturase in Paramecium, that carries six versions of the only one present in Tetrahymena. The phylogenetic analyses suggest a mixed origin for the genes involved in the biosynthesis of sterols and surrogates in this phylum; while the genes encoding enzymes of the pre-squalene pathway are most likely of bacterial origin, those involved in the post-squalene pathway, including the processing of sterols obtained from the environment, may have been partially retained or acquired indistinctly from lower eukaryotes or prokaryotes. This particular combination of diverse gene/s acquisition patterns allows for survival in conditions of poor oxygen availability, in which tetrahymanol and other hopanoids may be advantageous, but also conditions of excess oxygen availability and abundant sterols, in which the latter are preferentially phagocyte, and/or transformed. Furthermore, the possibility that some of the genes involved in sterol metabolism may have another biological function in the most studied ciliate T. thermophila, was also explored.

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RESUMO

En este artículo de investigación se evalúa el impacto en los indicadores de rentabilidad de las entidades de salud acreditadas durante los periodos 2008 y 2010, por medio de la aplicación de análisis discriminante multivariado en 20 organizaciones de salud acreditadas que presentaron sus estados financieros en la Superintendencia de Salud. Para esto se definen y calculan los indicadores financieros para explicar la pertenencia, discriminación y evolución; en esta Investigación se pudo demostrar por medio de las funciones discriminantes que existen diferencias significativas para el indicador Margen Bruto (MB); y por el análisis de las medias que la acreditación impacta positivamente en los indicadores Margen Neto (MN) y Margen Operacional (MO), los cuáles evolucionaron. Se pudo concluir que el modelo permite pronosticar y facilitar la toma decisiones a los responsables de estos procesos para desarrollar acciones que contribuyan con el mejoramiento de los estados financieros de las entidades de salud acreditadas.

In this research paper, the impact on the profitability indicators of health institutions accredited during 2008 and 2010 was assessed. A multivariate discriminant analysis in 20 accredited health organizations was done. These institutions presented their financial status at the Health Superintendence. To achieve this, financial indicators were defined and calculated to explain its membership, discrimination and evolution. It was proved by means of discriminant functions that there are significant differences for Gross Margin indicator (GM); and by analysis of means, that accreditation positively impacts indicators Net Margin (MN) and Operating Margin (MO), which also evolved. It could be concluded that the model can predict and facilitate decision making for those responsible of these processes, so they can develop actions that contribute to improving the financial status of the accredited health institutions.

Assuntos