Cualificación e implicación del profesorado de infantil frente a la educación motriz

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the type of teacher training in physical education and the actual active learning time in school physical education. The sample was composed of 349 active kindergarten teachers from 59 Spanish schools. Data were collected through the "Health Education through Physical Education in Kindergarten Questionnaire” of which sixteen variables were analyzed, providing information about the active learning time in physical education, teacher´s perception of time needed a week to implement a physical education program, perceived difficulties in physical education implementation, and the type of physical education teacher training received by the subjects. The results indicate that the higher the teachers' physical education training qualifications, the more time they think is needed to implement physical education and the higher the active learning time in physical education. None of the perceived difficulties was associated with teachers' specific training in physical education. Conclusions: Specific training programs to increase kindergarten teachers' qualification in physical education could increase motor experiences in the kindergarten curriculum, as well as physical activity in the early ages.Este estudio determina si existe una relación entre la formación específica en educación motriz con la que cuenta el profesorado y el tiempo que dedica este en su desempeño profesional al aprendizaje de la educación motriz en la escuela. Participaron un total de 349 profesores de educación infantil en ejercicio de 59 centros educativos españoles. Se empleó el “Cuestionario sobre la educación para la salud a través de la educación motriz en educación infantil”. Se analizan un total de 16 variables que recogen información sobre el tiempo dedicado y la percepción del profesorado sobre el tiempo semanal necesario para implementar un programa de educación motriz, las dificultades percibidas en el desarrollo de la educación motriz y sobre la formación específica recibida en educación motriz por parte del profesorado. Se emplearon los coeficientes d de Somers, V de Cramer y la prueba ANOVA. Se estableció un nivel de significatividad de p< 0,05. Resultados: La mayoría de maestros y maestras de educación infantil han recibido muy poca formación en educación motriz. A mayor cualificación específica en educación motriz del docente, mayor es el tiempo que considera necesario para el desarrollo de la educación motriz en el centro, y mayor es su dedicación semanal. Ninguna de las dificultades percibidas se asocia con la formación específica en educación motriz del profesorado. Conclusión: Programas de formación específica para aumentar la cualificación en educación motriz de los maestros y las maestras de educación infantil podrían incrementar las experiencias motrices en el currículo de educación infantil y la actividad física desde edades tempranas

New molecular settings to support in vivo anti-malarial assays

Background Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is now commonly used as a method to confirm diagnosis of malaria and to differentiate recrudescence from re-infection, especially in clinical trials and in reference laboratories where precise quantification is critical. Although anti-malarial drug discovery is based on in vivo murine efficacy models, use of molecular analysis has been limited. The aim of this study was to develop qPCR as a valid methodology to support pre-clinical anti-malarial models by using filter papers to maintain material for qPCR and to compare this with traditional methods. Methods FTA technology (Whatman) is a rapid and safe method for extracting nucleic acids from blood. Peripheral blood samples from mice infected with Plasmodium berghei, P. yoelii, or P. falciparum were kept as frozen samples or as spots on FTA cards. The extracted genetic material from both types of samples was assessed for quantification by qPCR using sets of specific primers specifically designed for Plasmodium 18S rRNA, LDH, and CytB genes. Results The optimal conditions for nucleic acid extraction from FTA cards and qPCR amplification were set up, and were confirmed to be suitable for parasite quantification using DNA as template after storage at room temperature for as long as 26 months in the case of P. berghei samples and 52 months for P. falciparum and P. yoelii. The quality of DNA extracted from the FTA cards for gene sequencing and microsatellite amplification was also assessed. Conclusions This is the first study to report the suitability of FTA cards and qPCR assay to quantify parasite load in samples from in vivo efficacy models to support the drug discovery process

The inflammatory response to colloids and crystalloids used for pump priming during cardiopulmonary bypass

Producción CientíficaBackground: Systemic inflammatory response frequently occurs after coronary artery bypass surgery and is strongly correlated with the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study tests the hypothesis that the priming of the extracorporeal circuit with colloid solutions results in less inflammation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery than priming with crystalloid solutions. Methods: A prospective, randomized studywas designed. Forty-four patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated to one of two groups: 22 patients primed with Ringer’s lactate (RL) solution and 22 patients primed with gelatin-containing solution during the surgery. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, C-reactive protein (CRP) and, complement 4 were measured during the surgical intervention and over the following 48 postoperative hours. Cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked assays from plasma samples obtained at specific time points pre- and post-operatively. Results: In both groups the serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a), CRP, complement 4, and leukocytes increased significantly over the baseline, although no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The operation time, blood loss, need for inotropic support, extubation time, and length of intensive care unit stay did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: Priming with gelatin vs. RL produces no significant differences in the inflammatory response in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass

Generation of optical reference signals robust to diffractive effects

In grating measurement systems, a reference signal is needed to achieve an absolute measurement of the position. The zero reference signals are normally obtained illuminating two identical superimposed zero reference codes (ZRCs) and registering the transmitted light by means of a photodiode. As one ZRC moves with respect to the other, the two codes overlap and the signal registered is the autocorrelation of the ZRC transmittance. In high resolution systems, the diffraction effects degrade the geometrical shadow of the first ZRC as it propagates to the second one. As a result, the autocorrelation is also degraded and the amplitude of the reference signal is greatly reduced. In this letter, we present a method for designing ZRCs with minimum diffractive effects. The method is based on the optimization of ZRCs by means of a genetic algorithm

Optimal design of optical reference signals by use of a genetic algorithm

A new technique for the generation of optical reference signals with optimal properties is presented. In grating measurement systems a reference signal is needed to achieve an absolute measurement of the position. The optical signal is the autocorrelation of two codes with binary transmittance. For a long time, the design of this type of code has required great computational effort, which limits the size of the code to ~30 elements. Recently, the application of the dividing rectangles (DIRECT) algorithm has allowed the automatic design of codes up to 100 elements. Because of the binary nature of the problem and the parallel processing of the genetic algorithms, these algorithms are efficient tools for obtaining codes with particular autocorrelation properties. We design optimum zero reference codes with arbitrary length by means of a genetic algorithm enhanced with a restricted search operator

Risk factors related to oral candidiasis in patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome

Candidiasis is the most frequent mycotic infection of the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of clinical oral candidiasis and Candida albicans yeast in a population diagnosed of primary Sjögren?s syndrome (pSS) and to study the possible factors associated with this infection. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 61 pSS patients (60 women, 1 man, mean age 57.64±13.52) where patient based information (demographic and medical, tobacco and alcohol consumption history), intraoral parameters (presence of dentures, clinical signs of candidiasis), salivary analytical information (number of Candida albicans as colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL), salivary pH levels, unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) were collected. 13.1% of pSS patients presented oral signs of candidiasis. Denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis were the most common lesions. 87.5% of patients with clinical candidiasis presented reduced pH levels and salivary flow in both UWS and SWS. A significant statistical negative correlation was found between CFU/mL of Candida albicans and levels of UWS and SWS. A negative correlation was found between pH levels and CFU/mL, although not statistically significant. A reduced salivary flow may predispose pSS patients to Candida albicans overgrowth, which may show with clinical signs. Preventive measures are of great importance to avoid and to treat this condition promptly

La jornada lectiva a debate para (re)convertir los centros educativos en espacios para el ocio

Scientific evidence shows that educational facilities are a privileged space to promote adolescents’ practice of physical leisure activities, but do they constitute as an essential space for any kind of youth leisure? This study examines the links between the organization of class schedules in Spanish schools of post-compulsory secondary education and the use these students make of the leisure spaces. It uses a quantitative methodological approach, carried out by the application of an ad hoc developed questionnaire to a sample of 1.764 students in the entire Spanish territory. The data analysis is conducted in two stages: a descriptive analysis and a bivariate inferential analysis, by means of contingency tables. The results show the predominance of the continuous morning school day versus other class schedules in Spain’s post-compulsory secondary education. Moreover, it is the students’ preferred schedule. The influence of the type of school day regarding the use of the educational center during the youths’ leisure time is ruled out, but there is a significant relation between school day preferences and the use of educational spaces.Las evidencias científicas señalan que las instalaciones educativas se configuran en espacios privilegiados para el fomento de la práctica de actividades físicas de ocio entre los jóvenes, pero ¿se constituyen en escenarios capitales para la práctica de cualquier tipo de ocio juvenil? El presente estudio indaga sobre los vínculos entre la organización de los horarios de clases de los centros educativos españoles de educación secundaria postobligatoria y el uso que hacen sus estudiantes de los espacios educativos para la práctica de ocio. Se adopta un enfoque metológico de carácter cuantitativo, desarrollado mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc a una muestra de 1.764 estudiantes de todo el territorio español. El análisis de los datos se configura en dos fases, un análisis descriptivo y un análisis inferencial bivariado, a través de tablas de contingencia. Los resultados evidencian la predominancia de la jornada lectiva continua matutina frente a otras planificaciones de horarios de clase en la educación secundaria postobligatoria de España, siendo, además, el horario preferido por los estudiantes. Se descarta la influencia que el tipo de jornada educativa pudiera tener en el uso del centro educativo en el tiempo de ocio de los jóvenes, mientras que sí existe relación significativa entre las preferencias de la jornada escolar y la utilización de los espacios educativos

Oral lesions in patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome. A case-control cross-sectional study

To evaluate the presence of oral lesions in a group of patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome (pSS) and compare these results with a matched control group (CG). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. 61 pSS patients (60 women, 1 man, mean age 57.64±13.52) diagnosed according to the American European Criteria (2002), and 122 matched control patients (120 women, 2 men, mean age 60.02±13.13) were included. Demographic and medical data, oral lesions and salivary flow rate were collected. Compared with the controls, pSS patients were 3.95 more likely to have oral lesions (OR 3.95; 95% CI 2.06-7.58; p=0.0001). 57.4% pSS patients presented oral lesions compared to 25.4% in CG. The most common were candidiasis (13.1% vs 2.5%), traumatic lesions (13.1% vs 4.1%), apthae (8.2% vs 0), and fissuration of the tongue (8.2% vs 0.8%). pSS patients with oral lesions had lower salivary flow levels (stimulated and unstimulated), although these differences were not significant. Significant associations were found between the presence of oral lesions and systemic manifestations and history of parotid gland enlargement in pSS patients. pSS patients suffer more oral lesions than general population and these lesions may aggravate the pSS disease

Viral Disease in Lagomorphs: A Molecular Perspective

Our understanding of molecular biology of the viruses that infect lagomorphs is largely limited to the leporipoxvirus myxoma virus (MYXV) and the lagoviruses rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) that infect the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) respectively. Thanks to the great effort of historic surveillance studies and careful sample archiving, the molecular evolution of these viruses is being resolved. Although historically considered viruses that cause species specific diseases recent reports show that several lagomorphs may now face the threat of these maladies. The driving factors behind these changes has not been determined and the effect of these species jumps on lagomorph populations has yet to be seen. Lagomorphs are also affected by several other lesser studied viral diseases. In addition, recent metagenomic studies have led to the identification of novel lagomorph viruses the importance of these to lagomorph health remains to be fully determined. In this chapter we summarize molecular aspects of viruses that infect lagomorphs, paying particular attention to recent interspecies infections

MULTICAGE CAD-4 para la detección de adicciones conductuales: validez estructural después de la inclusión de una escala en el abuso de teléfonos inteligentes

Addictive behaviors are not limited to drugs use, but also include certain daily behaviors that can cause gratification. Their progression to more severe pathological patterns entails grave consequences for the individual, including multiple psychopathological manifestations. The early detection of this type of behavior is of concern to primary health care. Therefore, in order to detect risk at early stages, reliable and valid tools for daily practice are essential. The MULTICAGE CAD-4 questionnaire is a screening tool for simultaneously detecting addictive behaviors. This study includes a new scale for the detection of smartphone abuse. The objective is to evaluate the adequacy of its psychometric properties. A sample of 2,074 subjects that were recruited from primary care centers ofMadrid(Spain) completed the MULTICAGE CAD-4 questionnaire. A confirmatory factor analysis, using unweighted least squares method, was performed. The test showed good internal consistency both at item and scale levels. The questionnaire structure was consistent with theoretical expectations. The MULTICAGE CAD-4, including the new smartphone scale, is a robust, reliable tool with a valid structure for assessing the presence of dysfunctional or potentially addictive behaviors, and especially useful in primary health care services.Los comportamientos adictivos no se limitan al uso de drogas, sino que también incluyen ciertos comportamientos diarios que pueden causar gratificación. Su progresión a patrones patológicos más severos conlleva graves consecuencias para el individuo, incluidas múltiples manifestaciones psicopatológicas. La detección temprana de este tipo de comportamiento es de interés para la atención primaria de salud. Por lo tanto, para detectar riesgos en etapas tempranas, las herramientas confiables y válidas para la práctica diaria son esenciales. El cuestionario MULTICAGE CAD-4 es una herramienta de detección para detectar simultáneamente conductas adictivas. Este estudio incluye una nueva escala para la detección del abuso de teléfonos inteligentes. El objetivo es evaluar la adecuación de sus propiedades psicométricas. Una muestra de 2.074 sujetos reclutados en centros de atención primaria de Madrid (España) completó el cuestionario MULTICAGE CAD-4. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio, utilizando el método de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados. La prueba mostró una buena consistencia interna tanto a nivel del ítem como de las escalas. La estructura del cuestionario fue consistente con las expectativas teóricas. El MULTICAGE CAD-4, incluida la nueva escala para teléfonos inteligentes, es una herramienta robusta y confiable con una estructura válida para evaluar la presencia de comportamientos disfuncionales o potencialmente adictivos, y especialmente útil en servicios de atención primaria de salud