A graphical classification of European countries according to physical activity Level of its citizens

Data on self-reported frequency of exercising or playing sport of adults aged 15 and above in 27 EU countries were collected, from the European Commission's Special Eurobarometer. A graphical output was obtained using classical a statistical methodology known as metric Multidimensional Scaling method to better define the interrelationships between a large set of variables for the data from the 27 European countries and "average" country included in the study. People in Sweden, Denmark and Finland had the highest level of exercise and playing sport level. High level of exercise and play sport level were detected in Slovenia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and France while low level of exercise and play sport level were found in Romania, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Portugal. The lowest level of exercise and play sport was observed in Bulgaria and Greece. The groups of countries that result from this classification also are characterized by the extent of the difference between the lowest levels of activity (never practising) and the highest (regularly practising); Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia, have the highest proportion of people who seldom practising. In 4 countries, Ireland, Malta, Republic of Cyprus and Portugal, the proportion of citizens who practice exercise or play sport regularly or never (extreme behaviour) is high. This study shows what a high level and regularly of exercise and playing sport are associated with adults participating in education and training, satisfaction with household financial situation and kind of work activity

Paramera

Este Trabajo de Fin de Grado consiste en el diseño de una tipografía y ejemplos de su uso. Surge como respuesta a la ausencia de una identidad gráfica consolidada en la región que se considera. La tipografía tiene como objetivo representar la comarca de Molina de Aragón, catalogada como la zona más despoblada de Europa, con tan solo 2,04 habitantes por kilómetro cuadrado, considerablemente por debajo del umbral de riego demográfico. El proyecto trata de recuperar la herencia cultural de la comarca desde una mirada contemporánea. No pretende ser la remasterización de ninguna tipografía antigua, si no una reinterpretación actualizada e inspirada en la caligrafía del Fuero de Molina de Aragón de 1272. La tipografía está dirigida a los diferentes organismos, asociaciones y negocios de la comarca, con el fin de que su uso de una manera generalizada ayude a crear un sentimiento de vinculación con la región, y como resultado una mejor imagen de marca como destino turístico, gastronómico, cultura, etc. Indirectamente, el objetivo final es, mediante esta mejora de la visibilidad, atraer más turistas rurales y dinamizar la economía local de manera sostenible con la esperanza de ayudar a combatir la despoblación. INGLÉS This Bachelor\u27s Degree Final Project consists of the design of a typeface and examples of use. It arises as a response to the lack of a consolidated graphic identity in the region. The typography aims to represent the region of Molina de Aragón, catalogued as the most depopulated area in Europe, with only 2.04 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is considerably below the demographic risk level. The project aims to recover the cultural heritage of the region from a contemporary point of view. It is not intended to be a remastering of any old typeface, but an updated reinterpretation inspired by the characters on the Charter of Molina de Aragón (1272). The typography is aimed at the different organisations, associations and businesses in the region, so that its widespread use will help to create a feeling of belonging to the region and, as a result, a better brand image as a tourist destination. Indirectly, the ultimate aim is, through this enhanced visibility, to attract more tourists and boost the local economy in a sustainable way in the hope of fighting depopulation.https://sciencevalue.udit.es/tfg_grafico/1358/thumbnail.jp

Library of Seleno-Compounds as Novel Agents against Leishmania Species

The in vitro leishmanicidal activities of a series of 48 recently synthesized selenium derivatives against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis parasites were tested using promastigotes and intracellular amastigote forms. The cytotoxicity of the tested compounds for J774.2 macrophage cells was also measured in order to establish their selectivity. Six of the tested compounds (compounds 8, 10, 11, 15, 45, and 48) showed selectivity indexes higher than those of the reference drug, meglumine antimonate (Glucantime), for both Leishmania species; in the case of L. braziliensis, compound 20 was also remarkably selective. Moreover, data on infection rates and amastigote numbers per macrophage showed that compounds 8, 10, 11, 15, 45, and 48 were the most active against both Leishmania species studied. The observed changes in the excretion product profile of parasites treated with these six compounds were also consistent with substantial cytoplasmic alterations. On the other hand, the most active compounds were potent inhibitors of Fe superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) in the two parasite species considered, whereas their impact on human CuZn-SOD was low. The high activity, low toxicity, stability, low cost of the starting materials, and straightforward synthesis make these compounds appropriate molecules for the development of affordable antileishmanicidal agents

A Common Variant in the MC1R Gene (p.V92M) is associated with Alzheimer's Disease Risk.

Despite the recent identification of some novel risk genes for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the genetic etiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) remains largely unknown. The inclusion of these novel risk genes to the risk attributable to the APOE gene accounts for roughly half of the total genetic variance in LOAD. The evidence indicates that undiscovered genetic factors may contribute to AD susceptibility. In the present study, we sequenced the MC1R gene in 525 Spanish LOAD patients and in 160 controls. We observed that a common MC1R variant p.V92M (rs2228479), not related to pigmentation traits, was present in 72 (14%) patients and 15 (9%) controls and confers increased risk of developing LOAD (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.08-3.64, p = 0.026), especially in those patients whose genetic risk could not be explained by APOE genotype. This association remains and even increased in the subset of 69 patients with typical AD cerebrospinal fluid profile (OR: 3.40 95% CI: 1.40-8.27, p = 0.007). We did not find an association between p.V92M and age of onset of AD. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of MC1R in brain cells through the different MC1R pathways

Puntos de encuentro. Investigaciones de posgrado en proceso

“Puntos de encuentro. Investigaciones de posgrado en proceso” es un proyecto de innovación docente que ha pretendido generar espacios para el debate y el diálogo entre estudiantes de doctorado que están realizando su tesis doctoral y profesores y directores de tesis. Se ha contemplado trabajar para la creación de una comunidad de aprendizaje en la que, a través de los vínculos entre los participantes, se posibilite una tutorización entre pares. El equipo de trabajo ha estado compuesto por profesores, doctorandos, becarios de investigación y directores de tesis. Teniendo en cuenta la naturaleza de la investigación en artes, se ha planteado la necesidad de articular espacios transdisciplinares de encuentro en los que abordar las potencialidades de trabajar conjuntamente personas e investigaciones adscritas a distintas áreas de conocimiento afines. Se ha ensayado, así mismo, la confluencia de alumnos que están adscritos en diversas universidades españolas, de tal manera que el contexto en el que realizan sus investigaciones se vea ampliado y se genere una red que pueda posibilitar acciones conjuntas de movilidad en un futuro. Se ha contemplado, por otra parte, fomentar las competencias relativas a la elaboración de textos científicos. Para ello se han realizado una serie de actividades en continuidad que han abordado encuentros mensuales, un seminario de investigación público, espacios de trabajo on-line y una publicación. Esta memoria recoge la valoración de los resultados obtenidos haciendo mención a los objetivos alcanzados, la metodología empleada, al grupo de trabajo adscrito al proyecto y a las actividades desarrolladas a lo largo del curso 2017-18. Presenta a modo de anexo una serie de imágenes de los encuentros realizados y los documentos de difusión del seminario de investigación

Challenges in the practical implementation of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Blood biomarkers have emerged as accessible, cost-effective, and highly promising tools for advancing the diagnostics of Alzheimer’s disease. However, transitioning from cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers to blood biomarkers—eg, to verify amyloid β pathology—requires careful consideration. This Series paper highlights the main challenges in the implementation of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in different possible contexts of use. Despite the robustness of measuring blood biomarker concentrations, the widespread adoption of blood biomarkers requires rigorous standardisation efforts to address inherent challenges in diverse contexts of use. The challenges include understanding the effect of pre-analytical and analytical conditions, potential confounding factors, and comorbidities that could influence outcomes of blood biomarkers and their use in diverse populations. Additionally, distinct scenarios present their own specific challenges. In memory clinics, the successful integration of blood biomarkers in diagnostic tests will require well-established diagnostic accuracy and comprehensive assessments of the effect of blood biomarkers on the diagnostic confidence and patient management of clinicians. In primary care settings, and even more when implemented in population-based screening programmes for which no experience with any biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease currently exists, the implementation of blood biomarkers will be challenged by the need for education of primary care clinical staff and clear guidelines. However, despite the challenges, blood biomarkers hold great promise for substantially enhancing the diagnostic accuracy and effectively streamlining referral processes, leading to earlier diagnosis and access to treatments. The ongoing efforts that are shaping the integration of blood biomarkers across diverse clinical settings pave the way towards precision medicine in Alzheimer’s disease

Decreased CX3CL1 Levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles, constituted by tau protein, and plaques formed by amyloid-beta protein. The disease courses with high neural damage, which leads to memory loss and death. Here we analyzed the presence of CX3CL1, a chemokine expressed by neurons, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from control subjects and patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD dementia. CX3CL1 was decreased in the CSF of AD dementia patients compared to control subjects. However, there was not difference in plasma samples from the same subjects

Dense core vesicle markers in CSF and cortical tissues of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Background: New fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that reveal synaptic and neural network dysfunctions are needed for clinical practice and therapeutic trial design. Dense core vesicle (DCV) cargos are promising cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicators of synaptic failure in AD patients. However, their value as biomarkers has not yet been determined. Methods: Immunoassays were performed to analyze the secretory proteins prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2, carboxypeptidase E (CPE), secretogranins SgIII and SgII, and Cystatin C in the cerebral cortex (n = 45, provided by Bellvitge University Hospital) and CSF samples (n = 66, provided by The Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration cohort) from AD patients (n = 56) and age-matched controls (n = 55). Results: In AD tissues, most DCV proteins were aberrantly accumulated in dystrophic neurites and activated astrocytes, whereas PC1/3, PC2 and CPE were also specifically accumulated in hippocampal granulovacuolar degeneration bodies. AD individuals displayed an overall decline of secretory proteins in the CSF. Interestingly, in AD patients, the CSF levels of prohormone convertases strongly correlated inversely with those of neurodegeneration markers and directly with cognitive impairment status. Conclusions: These results demonstrate marked alterations of neuronal-specific prohormone convertases in CSF and cortical tissues of AD patients. The neuronal DCV cargos are biomarker candidates for synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in AD

El discurso subversivo de Bernard Rudofsky a través de la fotografía: estrategias visuales contra la modernidad.

Architecture without Architects (AWA) se proyectó como una exposición menor en el MoMA (Nueva York, 1964). Ampliamente citada, AWA acuñó incluso un neologismo para designar la arquitectura tradicional. Comisario, arquitecto, diseñador, crítico y fotógrafo, Bernard Rudofsky (1905-1988) evitó categorizaciones históricas o geográficas construyendo una experiencia en la que lugares muy distantes quedan conectados visualmente a través de sus paisajes vernaculares, siendo la fotografía la base principal de su mensaje. Cuestiona la hegemonía occidental de la historiografía arquitectónica y denuncia el paralelismo entre tradicional y subdesarrollado. Su crítica a la Modernidad provocó la reacción y censura del American Institute of Architects, aunque no evitó su itinerancia durante 11 años a más de 80 lugares del mundo. Esta investigación muestra las metodologías y estrategias visuales que caracterizan su discurso controvertido y desobediente hacia la Modernidad. El viaje es un componente esencial de su trayectoria; él documentó su experiencia peripatética especialmente con fotografías. Comenzando con un análisis de las metodologías rudofskianas en AWA y publicaciones, la investigación revela su aproximación naturalista, sin pretensiones antológicas, donde la imágenes no ilustran un texto sino que construyen un discurso visual paralelo. Su mirada creativa de arquitecto presenta la arquitectura tradicional como material para la construcción del presente. Con su vivienda en Frigiliana (Málaga, 1969-1971), el caso de Andalucía constituye objeto de estudio destacado hasta su muerte. Usando la metodología visual del autor y centrándonos en su fase madura, se presentan las fotografías de Rudofsky en tres escalas temáticas: la calle, la ciudad y el territorio. La investigación reflexiona sobre la naturaleza de su producción gráfica, transita entre la fotografía de paisaje y documental, y excepcionalmente de arquitectura. Se constata una aproximación fenomenológica, multisensorial, que la fotografía recoge parcialmente desde su componente plástico. La experiencia prevalece sobre el medio y la fotografía no puede ni pretende sustituirla.Architecture without Architects (AWA) was expected to be a minor exhibition at the MoMA (New York, 1964). Widely quoted, AWA even brought about a neologism used to refer to traditional architecture. Curator, architect, designer, subversive critic and photographer Bernard Rudofsky (1905-1988) avoided historical or geographical categorization, creating an experience in which very distant geographies are connected through their vernacular architectures, with photographs as the core of his message. He challenged western hegemony in architectural history and denounced the presumed parallelism between traditional architecture and the under-developed world. His critique of Modern architecture provoked the reaction and censure of the American Institute of Architects, although this did not prevent it from travelling to over 80 locations worldwide over an eleven-year period. This research shows the characteristic visual methodologies and strategies of his controversial discourse, which rebelled against Modernity. Travel is essential in Rudofsky’s trajectory; he documented his peripatetic experience especially in photographs. Using an analysis of Rudofsky’s methodologies in AWA and publications as a starting point, this research reveals his naturalist approach, with no anthological aspiration, where images build a parallel visual discourse instead of merely illustrating a text. His creative architect’s gaze presents traditional architecture as a material for the construction of the present. The case of Andalusia became a major object of study from the time his residence in Frigiliana (Malaga, 1969-1971) was built, until his death. Using Rudofsky’s visual methodology and focusing on his later period, his photographs are presented at three thematic levels: street, city and territory. The paper reflects on the nature of his graphic production, which ranges from documentary, landscape and exceptionally architectural photography. A phenomenological multi-sensory approach is observed, and partly reproduced by photography through its visual aspect. The experience prevails over the medium, and photography cannot replace it, nor does it aim to

Feasibility of lumbar puncture in the study of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer disease in subjects with Down syndrome

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main medical problem in older adults with Down syndrome (DS). Studies of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers are limited and the feasibility of lumbar puncture (LP) is controversial in this population. Objective: to analyze the frequency of complications after a LP in DS. Methods: we collected data from 80 adults with DS that underwent a LP within the Down Alzheimer Barcelona Neuroimaging Initiative. Demographics, cognitive status, headache history, and presence of complications after the LP were recorded in every subject. In 53 of them (active group), this information was collected following a semi-structured and validated protocol that actively looks for complications. Other variables related to the LP procedure were also recorded. A telephone interview to the caregiver was performed 5-7 days after the procedure to ask about complications. Data from 27 subjects (clinical practice group), from whom the presence of complications was obtained in a medical follow-up visit within the three months after the LP, were also included. Results: there were no adverse events in 90% of our participants. The most frequent complication was headache (6.25%); only one subject reported a typical post-lumbar puncture headache with moderate severity that required analgesic treatment. Dizziness (3.75%) and back pain (1.25%) were also reported. All the participants that reported complications belonged to the active group. Conclusion: LP can be safely performed to study CSF biomarkers in DS. The reported complications are qualitatively similar to the general population, but are less frequently reported, even when actively searched for