34 research outputs found
ISO 14006. Experiencias previas de estudios de arquitectura que han adoptado el eståndar de ecodiseño UNE 150301:2003
This paper aims to analyze the pioneer UNE 150301 standard, as well as its adoption process and its practical results in the sector of architecture studios.
First, the structure, the aim and the scope of norm UNE 150301 have been analysed. Second, the standard's implementation has been examined, concluding that 73% of the companies that have obtained the certificate are architecture studios. A case study has therefore been carried out with the participation of five architecture studios pioneers.
These experiences have let us know the main aspects and difficulties of the process. In conclusion, the adoption of the standard UNE 150301 can be a helpful tool in order to reduce the environmental impact of the products and obtain some competitive advantages such as cost reduction, improvement in energy efficiency of the product and a better adaptation to acts and regulations.En este artĂculo se analiza la experiencia de implantaciĂłn de la norma UNE 150301 de ecodiseño en el sector de los estudios de arquitectura.
Tras el examen de la estructura de norma UNE 150301, de sus objetivos y de su alcance, se analiza su difusión, destacåndose que el 73% de las empresas certificadas en España son estudios de arquitectura. A continuación se estudia el proceso de implantación real, mediante el estudio de caso que lo analiza en cinco estudios de arquitectura.
El estudio realizado permite conocer de primera mano las principales claves y dificultades del proceso de implantaciĂłn del estĂĄndar, asĂ como los resultados obtenidos, entre los que destaca una reducciĂłn del impacto ambiental. Se constata, en suma, que la norma UNE 150301 es una herramienta que puede proporcionar ventajas competitivas interesantes a las empresas del sector de los estudios de arquitectura
A structural equation model of achievement emotions, coping strategies and engagement-burnout in undergraduate students: a possible underlying mechanism in facets of perfectionism
Achievement emotions that the university student experiences in the learning process
can be significant in facilitating or interfering with learning. The present research looked for linear
and predictive relations between university studentsÂż achievement emotions, coping strategies, and
engagement-burnout, in three dierent learning situations (classroom, study time, and testing).
Hypotheses were identified for a possible model that would analyze the two facets of perfectionism
based on these relations. In the case of perfectionistic strivings, the test hypothesis was that positive
emotions would predispose the use of problem-focused coping strategies and an emotional state of
engagement; in the case of perfectionistic concerns, however, negative emotions would predispose
the use of emotion-focused strategies and a state of burnout. A total of 654 university students
participated in the study, using an online tool to complete validated questionnaires on the three study
variables. All students provided informed consent and corresponding permissions. Given the ex-post
facto linear design, the predictions could be verified for each situation by means of logistic regression
analyses and Structural Equations Models (SEM). Empirical results lent support, in varying degree,
to the proposed theoretical relations. The testing situation was of particular interest. We discuss
implications for perfectionism research and for the practice of prevention, education and health care
in the university setting
Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging and cognitive control studies in schizophrenia: preliminary elucidation of a core dysfunctional timing network
Timing and other cognitive processes demanding cognitive control become interlinked
when there is an increase in the level of difficulty or effort required. Both functions are
interrelated and share neuroanatomical bases. A previous meta-analysis of neuroimaging
studies found that people with schizophrenia had significantly lower activation, relative
to normal controls, of most right hemisphere regions of the time circuit. This finding
suggests that a pattern of disconnectivity of this circuit, particularly in the supplementary
motor area, is a trait of this mental disease. We hypothesize that a dysfunctional
temporal/cognitive control network underlies both cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of
schizophrenia and that timing dysfunction is at the root of the cognitive deficits observed.
The goal of our study was to look, in schizophrenia patients, for brain structures activated
both by execution of cognitive tasks requiring increased effort and by performance of time
perception tasks. We conducted a signed differential mapping (SDM) meta-analysis of
functional neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia patients assessing the brain response
to increasing levels of cognitive difficulty. Then, we performed a multimodal meta-analysis
to identify common brain regions in the findings of that SDM meta-analysis and our
previously-published activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of neuroimaging
of time perception in schizophrenia patients. The current study supports the hypothesis
that there exists an overlap between neural structures engaged by both timing tasks and
non-temporal cognitive tasks of escalating difficulty in schizophrenia. The implication is
that a deficit in timing can be considered as a trait marker of the schizophrenia cognitive
profile
Stone Age Yersinia pestis genomes shed light on the early evolution, diversity, and ecology of plague
The bacterial pathogenYersinia pestisgave rise to devastating outbreaks throughouthuman history, and ancient DNA evidence has shown it afflicted human populations asfar back as the Neolithic.Y. pestisgenomes recovered from the Eurasian Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (LNBA) period have uncovered key evolutionary steps that led to itsemergence from aYersinia pseudotuberculosis-like progenitor; however, the number ofreconstructed LNBA genomes are too few to explore its diversity during this criticalperiod of development. Here, we present 17Y. pestisgenomes dating to 5,000 to 2,500y BP from a wide geographic expanse across Eurasia. This increased dataset enabled usto explore correlations between temporal, geographical, and genetic distance. Ourresults suggest a nonflea-adapted and potentially extinct single lineage that persistedover millennia without significant parallel diversification, accompanied by rapid dis-persal across continents throughout this period, a trend not observed in other pathogensfor which ancient genomes are available. A stepwise pattern of gene loss provides fur-ther clues on its early evolution and potential adaptation. We also discover the presenceof theflea-adapted form ofY. pestisin Bronze Age Iberia, previously only identified inin the Caucasus and the Volga regions, suggesting a much wider geographic spread ofthis form ofY. pestis. Together, these data reveal the dynamic nature of plagueâs forma-tive years in terms of its early evolution and ecology
Adiponectin, leptin, and IGF-1 are useful diagnostic and stratification biomarkers of NAFLD
[EN] Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver
disease where liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Here we aimed
to evaluate the role of circulating adiponectin, leptin, and insulin-like growth factor
1 (IGF-1) levels as non-invasive NAFLD biomarkers and assess their correlation with
the metabolome.
Materials and Methods: Leptin, adiponectin, and IGF-1 serum levels were measured
by ELISA in two independent cohorts of biopsy-proven obese NAFLD patients and
healthy-liver controls (discovery: 38 NAFLD, 13 controls; validation: 194 NAFLD,
31 controls) and correlated with clinical data, histology, genetic parameters, and
serum metabolomics.
Results: In both cohorts, leptin increased in NAFLD vs. controls (discovery: AUROC
0.88; validation: AUROC 0.83; p < 0.0001). The leptin levels were similar between
obese and non-obese healthy controls, suggesting that obesity is not a confounding
factor. In the discovery cohort, adiponectin was lower in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
(NASH) vs. non-alcoholic fatty liver (AUROC 0.87; p < 0.0001). For the validation
cohort, significance was attained for homozygous for PNPLA3 allele c.444C (AUROC
0.63; p < 0.05). Combining adiponectin with specific serum lipids improved the assay
performance (AUROC 0.80; p < 0.0001). For the validation cohort, IGF-1 was lower with advanced fibrosis (AUROC 0.67, p<0.05), but combination with international normalized
ratio (INR) and ferritin increased the assay performance (AUROC 0.81; p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Serum leptin discriminates NAFLD, and adiponectin combined with
specific lipids stratifies NASH. IGF-1, INR, and ferritin distinguish advanced fibrosis.CR was funded by FEDER through the COMPETE program
and by national funds through Fundação para a CiĂȘncia
e a Tecnologia (PTDC/MED-FAR/29097/2017âLISBOA-01-
0145-FEDER-029097) and by European Horizon 2020 (H2020-
MSCA-RISE-2016-734719). This work was also supported by
Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e Tecnologia (PD/BD/135467/2017)
and Portuguese Association for the Study of Liver/MSD
2017. JB was funded by Spanish Carlos III Health Institute
(ISCIII) (PI15/01132, PI18/01075 and Miguel Servet Program
CON14/00129 and CPII19/00008), co-financed by Fondo
Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Instituto de Salud
Carlos III (CIBERehd, Spain), La Caixa Scientific Foundation
(HR17-00601), FundaciĂłn CientĂfica de la AsociaciĂłn Española
Contra el CĂĄncer, and European Horizon 2020 (ESCALON
project: H2020-SC1-BHC-2018-2020)
Increased Th17-Related Cytokine Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Polyps of Unexplained Origin
OBJECTIVES: Most patients with multiple colonic polyps do not have a known genetic or hereditary origin. Our aim was to analyze the presence of inflammatory cytokines and levels of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with multiple colonic polyps. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with 10 or more adenomatous or serrated polyps and 53 control people with normal colonoscopy were included. Smoking habits were registered, and glucose, CRP, and basal insulin in the serum/blood were measured. Quantification of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IL-17A, and IL-23 cytokine levels in the serum was performed by a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Smoking and diabetes were more prevalent in those with colonic polyps than in the control people (67% vs 16%, P = 0.001; 11% vs 2%, P = 0.048). In addition, the cytokine serum levels were higher, i.e., IL-2 (P = 0.001), IL-4 (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P = 0.001), IL-17A (P = 0.001), IL-23 (P = 0.014), and CRP (P = 0.003). Adjusting for sex, smoking, and diabetes in a multivariate analysis, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 remained independently elevated in cases with multiple polyps. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that immune responses mediated by Th17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple colonic polyps
Adiponectin, Leptin, and IGF-1 Are Useful Diagnostic and Stratification Biomarkers of NAFLD
Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease where liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Here we aimed to evaluate the role of circulating adiponectin, leptin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels as non-invasive NAFLD biomarkers and assess their correlation with the metabolome.Materials and Methods: Leptin, adiponectin, and IGF-1 serum levels were measured by ELISA in two independent cohorts of biopsy-proven obese NAFLD patients and healthy-liver controls (discovery: 38 NAFLD, 13 controls; validation: 194 NAFLD, 31 controls) and correlated with clinical data, histology, genetic parameters, and serum metabolomics.Results: In both cohorts, leptin increased in NAFLD vs. controls (discovery: AUROC 0.88; validation: AUROC 0.83; p < 0.0001). The leptin levels were similar between obese and non-obese healthy controls, suggesting that obesity is not a confounding factor. In the discovery cohort, adiponectin was lower in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) vs. non-alcoholic fatty liver (AUROC 0.87; p < 0.0001). For the validation cohort, significance was attained for homozygous for PNPLA3 allele c.444C (AUROC 0.63; p < 0.05). Combining adiponectin with specific serum lipids improved the assay performance (AUROC 0.80; p < 0.0001). For the validation cohort, IGF-1 was lower with advanced fibrosis (AUROC 0.67, p < 0.05), but combination with international normalized ratio (INR) and ferritin increased the assay performance (AUROC 0.81; p < 0.01).Conclusion: Serum leptin discriminates NAFLD, and adiponectin combined with specific lipids stratifies NASH. IGF-1, INR, and ferritin distinguish advanced fibrosis
Trends and outcome of neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis and critical assessment of a 10-year prospective national registry on behalf of the Spanish Rectal Cancer Project
Introduction: Preoperative treatment and adequate surgery increase local control in rectal cancer. However, modalities and indications for neoadjuvant treatment may be controversial. Aim of this study was to assess the trends of preoperative treatment and outcomes in patients with rectal cancer included in the Rectal Cancer Registry of the Spanish Associations of Surgeons.
Method: This is a STROBE-compliant retrospective analysis of a prospective database. All patients operated on with curative intention included in the Rectal Cancer Registry were included. Analyses were performed to compare the use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment in three timeframes: I)2006â2009; II)2010â2013; III)2014â2017. Survival analyses were run for 3-year survival in timeframes I-II.
Results: Out of 14, 391 patients, 8871 (61.6%) received neoadjuvant treatment. Long-course chemo/radiotherapy was the most used approach (79.9%), followed by short-course radiotherapy ± chemotherapy (7.6%). The use of neoadjuvant treatment for cancer of the upper third (15-11 cm) increased over time (31.5%vs 34.5%vs 38.6%, p = 0.0018). The complete regression rate slightly increased over time (15.6% vs 16% vs 18.5%; p = 0.0093); the proportion of patients with involved circumferential resection margins (CRM) went down from 8.2% to 7.3%and 5.5% (p = 0.0004). Neoadjuvant treatment significantly decreased positive CRM in lower third tumors (OR 0.71, 0.59â0.87, Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel P = 0.0008). Most ypN0 patients also received adjuvant therapy. In MR-defined stage III patients, preoperative treatment was associated with significantly longer local-recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.0001). The survival benefit was smaller in upper third cancers.
Conclusion: There was an increasing trend and a potential overuse of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer of the upper rectum. Most ypN0 patients received postoperative treatment. Involvement of CRM in lower third tumors was reduced after neoadjuvant treatment. Stage III and MRcN + benefited the most
Parametric exploration of the liver by magnetic resonance methods
MRI, as a completely noninvasive technique, can provide quantitative assessment of perfusion, diffusion, viscoelasticity and metabolism, yielding diverse information about liver function. Furthermore, pathological accumulations of iron and lipids can be quantified. Perfusion MRI with various contrast agents is commonly used for the detection and characterization of focal liver disease and the quantification of blood flow parameters. An extended new application is the evaluation of the therapeutic effect of antiangiogenic drugs on liver tumours. Novel, but already widespread, is a histologically validated relaxometry method using five gradient echo sequences for quantifying liver iron content elevation, a measure of inflammation, liver disease and cancer. Because of the high perfusion fraction in the liver, the apparent diffusion coefficients strongly depend on the gradient factors used in diffusion-weighted MRI. While complicating analysis, this offers the opportunity to study perfusion without contrast injection. Another novel method, MR elastography, has already been established as the only technique able to stage fibrosis or diagnose mild disease. Liver fat content is accurately determined with multivoxel MR spectroscopy (MRS) or by faster MRI methods that are, despite their widespread use, prone to systematic error. Focal liver disease characterisation will be of great benefit once multivoxel methods with fat suppression are implemented in proton MRS, in particular on high-field MR systems providing gains in signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution
Meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging and cognitive control studies in schizophrenia: preliminary elucidation of a core dysfunctional timing network
Timing and other cognitive processes demanding cognitive control become interlinked
when there is an increase in the level of difficulty or effort required. Both functions are
interrelated and share neuroanatomical bases. A previous meta-analysis of neuroimaging
studies found that people with schizophrenia had significantly lower activation, relative
to normal controls, of most right hemisphere regions of the time circuit. This finding
suggests that a pattern of disconnectivity of this circuit, particularly in the supplementary
motor area, is a trait of this mental disease. We hypothesize that a dysfunctional
temporal/cognitive control network underlies both cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of
schizophrenia and that timing dysfunction is at the root of the cognitive deficits observed.
The goal of our study was to look, in schizophrenia patients, for brain structures activated
both by execution of cognitive tasks requiring increased effort and by performance of time
perception tasks. We conducted a signed differential mapping (SDM) meta-analysis of
functional neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia patients assessing the brain response
to increasing levels of cognitive difficulty. Then, we performed a multimodal meta-analysis
to identify common brain regions in the findings of that SDM meta-analysis and our
previously-published activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis of neuroimaging
of time perception in schizophrenia patients. The current study supports the hypothesis
that there exists an overlap between neural structures engaged by both timing tasks and
non-temporal cognitive tasks of escalating difficulty in schizophrenia. The implication is
that a deficit in timing can be considered as a trait marker of the schizophrenia cognitive
profile