Publications by authors named "Laura Velasquez"

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens (L.)) are recognized for efficient biowaste reduction while yielding valuable proteins and fats for animals. However, lignocellulosic fibers in biowastes are difficult to digest by biowaste and larval digestive tract microorganisms as well as the larvae themselves.

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Pathogenic germline mutations in lead to glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis deficiency (GPIBD). Individuals with pathogenic biallelic mutations in genes of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor pathway exhibit cognitive impairments, motor delay, and often epilepsy. Thus far, the pathophysiology underlying the disease remains unclear, and suitable rodent models that mirror all symptoms observed in human patients have not been available.

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Synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus are integral factors in learning and memory. While there has been intense investigation of these critical mechanisms in the brain of rodents, we lack a broader understanding of the generality of these processes across species. We investigated one of the smallest animals with conserved hippocampal macroanatomy-the Etruscan shrew, and found that while synaptic properties and plasticity in CA1 Schaffer collateral synapses were similar to mice, CA3 mossy fiber synapses showed striking differences in synaptic plasticity between shrews and mice.

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All synapses require fusion-competent vesicles and coordinated Ca-secretion coupling for neurotransmission, yet functional and anatomical properties are diverse across different synapse types. We show that the presynaptic protein RIM-BP2 has diversified functions in neurotransmitter release at different central murine synapses and thus contributes to synaptic diversity. At hippocampal pyramidal CA3-CA1 synapses, RIM-BP2 loss has a mild effect on neurotransmitter release, by only regulating Ca-secretion coupling.

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School-based programs have been the central strategy to educate children about the serious nature of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the hope of prevention or early intervention. While program evaluations consistently show significant improvement in children's knowledge and skills, it behooves programs to monitor their impacts. Monitoring, or on-going assessments, can take several forms but in the current study refers to monitoring the outcome of knowledge of CSA prevention concepts.

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Background: Food protein-induced enterocolitis (FPIES) is an uncommon, non-IgE-mediated food allergy that usually debuts in infancy with profuse vomiting, lethargy, and pallor 2-4 h following ingestion of the offending food. Its immune mechanism is not known. We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcome of children with fish-FPIES as well as to investigate on cellular immune response implicated.

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A significant association between HFE gene mutations and the HLA-A*03-B*07 and HLA-A*29-B*44 haplotypes has been reported in the Spanish population. It has been proposed that these mutations are probably connected with Celtic and North African ancestry, respectively. We aimed to find the possible ancestral association between HLA alleles and haplotypes associated with the HFE gene (C282Y and H63D) mutations in 214 subjects from Antioquia, Colombia.

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Introduction: Genetic characterization of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system has provided insights into mechanisms of susceptibility to diverse diseases and immunological phenomena during pregnancy, as well as providing evidence for compatibility in the selection of organ transplant donors and recipients.

Objective: The HLA-A,-B,-DRB1 allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were determined in deceased organ donors in Medellín, Colombia.

Materials And Methods: The genotypes of 926 deceased donors were evaluated over a 17-year period (1989- 2006).

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