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Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) are characterized by a bone marrow plasma cell clone producing a monoclonal component (MC). This heterogeneous group comprehends malignant diseases as multiple myeloma (MM), conditions requiring only observation, like monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and rarer entities where the MC causes organ dysfunction in absence of malignant PCD [(i.e. monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS)]. The evaluation of urine proteins has a key role in the management of PCDs, particularly quantification of proteinuria and albuminuria in the diagnostic workflow and clinical management of MGCS with renal involvement. In immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, proteinuria (cut-off: 0.5 g/24h) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR; cut-off: 300 mg/g) are used for diagnosis of renal involvement. These biomarkers are also included in staging systems that stratify the severity of renal involvement (proteinuria cut-off: 5 g/24h; UACR cut-off: 3 600 mg/g) and in renal response criteria (decrease of proteinuria/UACR >30% from baseline). In light chain deposition disease (LCDD), relatively low grade proteinuria (cut-off: 2 g/24h) results in higher risk of end-stage renal failure and its reduction after treatment (>50% from baseline) associates with better outcome. Finally, the presence of a MC and tubular proteinuria raises suspicion of light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT) with acquired Fanconi syndrome, especially in presence of other abnormalities at the urine examination (e.g. glycosuria, phosphaturia, uricosuria). The clinical laboratory, with the determination of biomarkers in urine provides crucial data in PCD management: for the diagnostic workflow, assessment of severity of the disease and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper shows that economic theory can be analyzed by means of system dynamics, an intuitive approach that makes it possible to represent graphically the feedback loops between the variables involved in the models. It models Adam Smith's view of growth, according to Robert Heilbroner's highly simplified interpretation, (developed in a more comprehensive and exhaustive way by his teacher, the German sociologist and economist Adolph Lowe) by proposing a computational system for the study of complex models. The paper does not intend to make an original contribution to economic modeling, but to show a tool that allows simulations based on the principles of system dynamics, using specialized software. This tool can be used in teaching to show alternative modeling options to the conventional ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. In 2017, the city of Bucaramanga attempted different vehicle restriction systems to improve traffic flow and air quality. These systems were: free circulation (PP0), limited restriction (PP1), and extended restriction (PP2). The Objective of this study was to compare the levels of the particulate matter (PM10) and tropospheric ozone (O3) through the three systems and evaluate their effect on air quality and its impact on the incidence of respiratory diseases. Materials and Methods. The information on meteorology variables and levels of pollutants per hour and day was provided by the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies. The statistics on respiratory diseases were provided by the Ministry of Health and Environment of Bucaramanga. All statistical information relates to the year 2017.The comparison of levels of air pollutant was based on descriptive statistics, ANOVA tests, and density functions. The analysis of the factors affecting the incidence of respiratory diseases relied on a Poisson regression model, with meteorology variables combined into factors based on principal component analysis. Results. ANOVA indicates significant differences in average levels of PM10 among sytems. Density functions show a substantial reduction of PM10 under PP2. In the Poisson model, O3 ended up being not statistically significant; the number of cases of respiratory diseases was significantly lower under PP2 and decreases with the level of PM10. Conclusions. The PP2 scheme allows a 48 % environmental gain in PM10; under PP1 this gain is less than 3 %. None of the schemes seems to contribute to reducing the already low concentrations of O3. A 10 % reduction in PM10 reduces the number of reported cases of respiratory diseases by 5.6 %. The study supports the adoption of the PP2 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. In 2018, lung cancer ranked first worldwide in both incidence and mortality with 2.0 and 1.8 million cases respectively. In addition, in the last four years, it ranked fourth in prevalence, with 2.1 million cases per year. Objective. To determine tobacco dependence and motivation to quit in a sample of university students through standardized tests and semistructured interviews. Materials and methods. This is a mixed, cross-sectional study. Fagerström and Richmond tests were used to evaluate nicotine dependence and cessation. Results. There is no relationship between the degree of motivation for smoking cessation and the level of dependence. The subjects presented a doubtful level of tobacco cessation despite being in a very low dependency. The family and social factor becomes a promoter of dependence and initiation. Conclusion. A low motivation for quitting consumption is identified, therefore, it is necessary to promote interventions aimed at tobacco care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear and nonlinear differential equations are mathematical instruments to study physical systems. In general, these equations can be analyzed and solved analytically by classical methods. In the case of complex nonlinear systems, numerical methods must be used for analysis and solution. Using Systems Dynamics (SD) methodology it is possible to represent, analyze and simulate the behavior of both linear and nonlinear physical systems. In this paper we consider some physical models using SD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si bien resulta contradictorio, las cifras oficiales en materia de desempleo y actividad económica en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela muestran simultáneamente una marcada tendencia a la baja. La reducción del desempleo en un período de recesión económica es posible si este se esconde detrás de la informalidad o del abandono de la búsqueda de trabajo. A partir de la estimación de máxima verosimilitud de matrices markovianas homogéneas aplicadas a datos de la Encuesta de Hogares por Muestreo del período comprendido entre el primer semestre de 2012 y el segundo semestre de 2013, en este estudio se analizan la duración media del desempleo y el destino de los desempleados. Los resultados indican que la larga duración del desempleo obliga a algunos individuos a abandonar la búsqueda de trabajo, por lo que dejan de pertenecer a la fuerza laboral, mientras que otros pasan al mercado informal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Telos is the property of Revista Telos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Fermentum: Revista Venezolana de Sociologia y Antropologia is the property of Universidad de Los Andes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introducción: El consumo de cigarrillo es un factor de riesgo común en seis de las ocho causas principales de mortalidad en el mundo como son las enfermedades cerebrovasculares y de vías respiratorias inferiores. A consecuencia de esta adicción a nivel mundial se proyectan 8,3 millones de muertes en 2030. La mucosa oral posee un epitelio estratificado con elevada capacidad proliferativa, lo que lo hace vulnerable al daño a nivel genético si está expuesta al humo de cigarrillo, el cual contiene sustancias carcinogénicas (hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos, benceno, entre otros). Objetivo: Clasificar el daño genotóxico por exposición al humo y consumo de tabaco en células de la mucosa bucal en estudiantes de los programas de salud del campus de Bucaramanga de la Universidad de Santander. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal realizado el primer semestre del 2016. Muestra: citología exfoliativa de la mucosa bucal. Prueba micronúcleos: se siguió el procedimiento descrito por Titenko-Holland et al. (1996). Resultados: La muestra estuvo conformada por 32 (54,2%) estudiantes del sexo masculino y 27 (45,8%) del sexo femenino. Se encontró que 26 (44,1%) de los estudiantes de la población eran fumadores y 33 (55,9%) no lo eran. Los micronúcleos se hallaron en 3 (5,1%) muestras de las cuales dos eran fumadores. Las células binucleadas se encontraron en 26 muestras (44,1%) y con cariolisis en 28 (47,5%). Conclusiones: Se pretende implementar la prueba de micronúcleos la cual podrá ser empleada en estudios del riesgo laboral donde la exposición a residuos peligrosos y mutagénicos es constante. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]