Universidad de Margarita

Drug repurposing is an efficient strategy to accelerate the identification of thera- peutic compounds by finding new uses for existing drugs. Here, we leveraged artifi- cial intelligence (AI) to optimize this process and discover protein-protein interaction (PPI) modulators targeting the Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1. AI models were trained on large datasets of known PPIs, protein structures, and small molecular graphs to predict binding score. Using virtual screening of an FDA-approved drug library, the models generated a prioritized list of candidates. The most promising compounds were selected for experimental validation. This integrated approach efficiently reduced ex- perimental workload, time, and cost, leading to the identification of dipyridamole as a selective modulator of the interaction between NCS-1 and the dopamine D2 receptor. The crystal structure of NCS-1 in complex with dipyridamole elucidates its mechanism of modulation. Our findings highlight the potential of AI to streamline and accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic PPI modulators

Abstract Background: Given global population growth and aging, it is imperative to prioritize early eye disease detection and treatment. However, the current eye specialist workforce capacity is not bridging the growing gap, making it important to consider alternative solutions for increasing eye screening capabilities. This study compared virtual reality (VR) vision screening exams that help evaluate retinal health, such as 24-2 perimetry, Ishihara color blindness, and Amsler grid tests, against their in-clinic counterparts. Methods: 86 subjects were recruited from Mount Sinai’s ophthalmology clinic for a head-to-head comparison trial that was internally controlled across healthy controls and eyes with glaucoma and retinal disease. Results: Perimetry results from Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HVFA) and VR suprathreshold testing demonstrated a good sensitivity both overall (80% OD, 84% OS) and across control (86% OD, 89% OS), glaucoma (69% OD, 78% OS), and retinal disease (76% OD, 80% OS) groups. A Garway-Heath anatomical map showed an overall 70-80% agreement. Ishihara plate tests did not show a significant difference between the two testing modalities (p = 0.12; Mann-Whitney U test), which remained true across groups. Amsler grid testing differences were also non-significant (p = 0.81; Mann-Whitney U test), including each subgroup. Patient time required to complete VR exams was significantly improved (p<0.0001; Wilcoxon) compared to the gold standard tests. Conclusions: All VR tests showed high sensitivity and percent agreement compared to in-office standards, indicating a promising potential for VR technologies in visual function screening for early identification of prevalent diseases such as glaucoma and retinal conditions.

El presente trabajo recoge las reflexiones surgidas de un proceso de acompañamiento auspiciado por un grupo de Fundaciones de empresas privadas a un grupo de instituciones oficiales de Barranquilla y Ciénaga (Colombia) con el fin de mejorar la práctica pedagógica en los niveles de preescolar. Se analizan particularidades, elementos comunes, fortalezas, debilidades, logros e inconvenientes en los diferentes contextos en que se llevó a cabo la experiencia. La finalidad de este escrito es abrir un diálogo con otras experiencias similares y develar algunas circunstancias que ayuden a aquellos que están iniciando prácticas relacionadas y que quisieran tener referencias para tener en cuenta en el diseño de sus propuestas de intervención.

ABSTRAK Banyuwangi memiliki banyak Café & Resto yang merupakan salah satu jenis usaha pariwisata yang sering menjadi tempat bersantai bagi wisatawan sambil menikmati minuman baik cocktail maupun mocktail. Margarita merupakan minuman tradisional yang mengandung alkohol (cocktail) dari Mexico. Adapun jenis non alcohol (mocktail) dari minuman ini adalah virgin margarita yang dapat menjadi alternatif minuman bagi wisatawan yang ingin menikmati minuman ini tanpa alcohol. Meski demikian, minuman ini masih jarang ditemui dikalangan masyarakat karena hanya memiliki rasa asam. Sehingga perlu dilakukan inovasi dengan penambahan ekstrak jahe sesuai dengan potensi Banyuwangi. Di Banyuwangi sendiri jahe sangat mudah didapatkan baik di pasar tradisional dan pasar modern namun, masih jarang dimanfaatkan sebagai inovasi dalam pembuatan minuman khususnya di Banyuwangi. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui sifat organoleptik antara virgin margarita original dan virgin margarita dengan penambahan ekstrak jahe mulai dari 10%, 15%, 20% dari aspek rasa, aroma, tekstur dan warna. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) non faktorial, uji organoleptik mutu hedonik dan hedonic. Hasil temuan pada penelitian menunjukkan: (1) Uji hedonik pada parameter rasa, warna, tekstur, dan aroma berpengaruh nyata (P<0,05)., (2) Uji mutu hedonik pada parameter rasa, warna, tekstur, dan aroma berpengaruh nyata (P<0,05)., (3) Perlakuan terbaik untuk uji mutu hedonik yaitu K3 (20%) dengan skor 2,97 sedangkan perlakuan terbaik untuk uji hedonik yaitu K3 (20%) dengan skor 3,51. Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan menjadi salah satu acuan bagi penelitian berikutnya. Kata Kunci: café & resto, virgin margarita, ekstrak jahe ABSTRACT Banyuwangi has many Café & Resto which is one type of tourism business which is often a relaxing place for tourists while enjoying drinks, both cocktails and mocktails. Margarita is a traditional drink containing alcohol (cocktail) from Mexico. The non-alcoholic type (mocktail) of this drink is the virgin margarita which can be an alternative drink for tourists who want to enjoy this drink without alcohol. However, this drink is still rarely found among the public because it only has a sour taste. Therefore it’s necessary to innovate with the addition of ginger extract in accordance with the potential of Banyuwangi. In Banyuwangi, ginger is very easy to find in both traditional and supermarkets however, its still rarely used as beverage innovation especially in Banyuwangi. The purpose of this study is to determine of the organoleptic properties between the original virgin margarita and the virgin margarita with the addition of ginger extract ranging from 10%, 15%, 20% from the aspect of taste, aroma, texture and color. Methods used in this study are Non-factorial randomized block design (RBD), hedonic and hedonic quality organoleptic tests. The findings in the study showed: (1) Hedonic test on the parameters of taste, color, texture, and aroma had a significant effect (P<0.05). (P<0.05)., (3) The best treatment for the hedonic quality test is K3 (20%) with a score of 2.97 while the best treatment for the hedonic test is K3 (20%) with a score of 3.51. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for future research. Keywords: café & resto, virgin margarita, ginger extract

On the Venezuelan coast, the genus Clibanarius is represented by four species, of which there is an almost absolute ignorance about the ecology of C. antillensis. For this reason it was proposed to carry out this research whose main objective was to study its population dynamics in the town of Puerto Abajo. Fortnightly samples were sampled during the March-September 2014 period. The sample consisted of 1098 specimens: 556 (50,64%) females (♀), of which 335 were ovigerous and 542 (49,36%) males (♂) The sexual ratio was 1♀: 1♂. The lowest number of organisms was collected in the month of March and the largest in May and August. The t-student of the wet weight (t = 1,66; p> 0,05) shows that there are no affected differences between females and males, while the wet weight relationship with the shield length shows a negative allometric growth. The population parameters for ♂ and ♂ of the hermit were, respectively: asymptotic length L∞ = 7,40 mm and 7,90 mm; growth coefficient: k = 0,20 / year-1 and 0,22 / year-1 ; the theoretical age: t0 = -0,22 / years-1 and -0,2 / years-1 ; calculated age limit: A0,95 = 13,8 years and 12,5 years. The coefficient of variation obtained for both ♀ (CV = 22,49%) and ♂ (CV = 27,75%), modified that the pattern of growth in length of the species differs statistically in relation to sex.

A new species of the spongicolid genus Spongicola, S. liosomatus sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on three male specimens and one female specimen collected from off northern Blanquilla Island, Venezuela, Caribbean Sea at a depth of 135-160 m, representing the first species of the genus found in the Atlantic Ocean. It appears closest to S. levigatus Hayashi Ogawa, 1987, S. teres Komai, 2015 and S. inflatus de Saint-Laurent Cleva, 1981 in having reduced armature on the body and appendages. However, the unserrated ventral edge of the third pereiopods and the membranous ridges of the first and second pereiopod cutting edges, distinguish the new species from these three species as well as all other members of the genus.

Objective.To ascertain which factors affect out-of-pocket spending on health services provided by the Ministry of Health of Peru and regional governments to the population living in relative poverty between 2010 and 2014.Materials and methods.Cross-sectional, descriptive, nationwide, econometric, year-on-year (2010Cross-sectional, descriptive, nationwide, econometric, year-on-year ( -2014) ) study using information from household surveys.The dependent variable was out-of-pocket spending by people in relative poverty to pay for medical care at public services in health.The independent variables were affiliation with the Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) scheme, level of family expenditure per capita, age group 0-5 years, being a woman of childbearing age (15-49 years), being an older adult (over age 60 years), family burden (using the number of members of the household as a proxy indicator), and the level of complexity of the service provider.Results.Only 5% of the rural population in the study were treated at higher-complexity facilities (hospitals), compared to 16% of the population in urban centers.Drugs accounted for the majority of household expenditures: 44% among those insured via SIS and 62% among the uninsured (2014).Out-of-pocket spending on health was positively associated with not being insured via SIS, higher level of provider complexity, level of family spending per capita, and being an older adult.Conclusions.Comprehensive Health Insurance coverage is a relevant policy variable to reduce out-of-pocket spending in poor households.The lower out-of-pocket spending among the rural poor--an especially vulnerable group--was strongly associated with near-exclusive use of services delivered by primary health care providers.Specific policies are needed to protect older adults living in poverty.To achieve universal health coverage, Peru needs to implement more intensive financial protection policies and restructure its public service offering.

ABSTRACTThe Cariaco Basin, located on the continental margin of the south-eastern Caribbean Sea, has been a site of extensive oceanographic research since the early 1950s. Here we examined the seasonal and spatial variability in satellite wind, sea surface temperature (SST), surface chlorophyll (CHL), and primary production (PP) within the Cariaco Basin (1994–2009). This variability has implications in modulating the vertical flux of particulate material to the bottom of the basin. While cross-shore Ekman Transport was positive (upwelling inducing) year-round, it showed 20–60% higher values (stronger upwelling) in the eastern sub-basin, compared to the western sub-basin 1.35–2.77 m2 s−1 and 1.06–1.73 m2 s−1, respectively; p < 0.01). This translated into differences in CHL concentration and PP rates between the eastern and western Cariaco sub-basins. Long-term seasonal means of SST, CHL, and PP showed significant inter-basin differences (p < 0.01) between December and July; during that period the eastern basin was cooler (24.86 ± 1.03°C vs. 25.56 ± 0.80°C, p < 0.01), with higher CHL (0.50 mg m−3 vs. 0.35 mg m−3; p < 0.01) and PP (1763 ± 994 vs. 782 ± 129 mg C m−2 day−1, p < 0.01) than the western sub-basin. The eastern Cariaco sub-basin had larger seasonal amplitude and variability in oceanographic characteristics than the western sub-basin, while the western sub-basin had slightly higher and more variable seasonal riverine run-off inputs. These differences have implications for the interpretation of the paleoclimate sediment record stored in different sectors of the Cariaco Basin.