A novel taxonomy of student-generated video styles

Video is a medium increasingly used in education. The styles of videos produced for academic purposes have been studied in the literature based mainly on those initially designed by instructors for use in MOOCs. In this work, we define a novel taxonomy of academic video design styles based on the videos produced by students. We have defined 10 different styles after reviewing 105 student-generated videos over 5 y ears. These types of videos reflect the tastes of students when making a video, which do not necessarily coincide with those of instructors. Based on our classification, a comparative analysis was done between the types of videos developed by instructors and by students, and significant differences were found. The style most commonly used by instructors is similar to the presentation slides while students' videos are based on the integration of videos and images they search for on the Internet

Broad application of a simple and affordable protocol for isolating plant RNA

BACKGROUND: Standard molecular biological methods involve the analysis of gene expression in living organisms under diverse environmental and developmental conditions. One of the most direct approaches to quantify gene expression is the isolation of RNA. Most techniques used to quantify gene expression require the isolation of RNA, usually from a large number of samples. While most published protocols, including those for commercial reagents, are either labour intensive, use hazardous chemicals and/or are costly, a previously published protocol for RNA isolation in Arabidopsis thaliana yields high amounts of good quality RNA in a simple, safe and inexpensive manner. FINDINGS: We have tested this protocol in tomato and wheat leaves, as well as in Arabidopsis leaves, and compared the resulting RNA to that obtained using a commercial phenol-based reagent. Our results demonstrate that this protocol is applicable to other plant species, including monocots, and offers yield and purity at least comparable to those provided by commercial phenol-based reagents. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we show that this previously published RNA isolation protocol can be easily extended to other plant species without further modification. Due to its simplicity and the use of inexpensive reagents, this protocol is accessible and affordable and can be easily implemented to work on different plant species in laboratories worldwide

El vídeo como herramienta docente para los estudios universitarios

En este artículo presentamos los resultados obtenidos de una experiencia de uso de vídeo en el contexto de la docencia universitaria, que implica centros universitarios de informática de universidades de diferentes países. Los elementos de la experiencia son (a) planteamiento a pequeños equipos de estudiantes de un microproyecto de creación y publicación de vídeo en Internet, sin proporcionarles una formación específica previa de ninguna índole; (b) valoración de los vídeos por parte de profesores y estudiantes en base a un marco común de indicadores de calidad preestablecido y (c) recogida de información mediante encuestas sobre sus niveles competenciales previos, su satisfacción con el proceso y producto realizado, las herramientas utilizadas y el aprendizaje logrado. El análisis desarrollado sobre los datos recogidos nos ha permitido extraer un conjunto de conclusiones sobre las capacidades de los estudiantes universitarios en cuanto al uso y manejo del vídeo como herramienta de comunicación, las condiciones en las que es viable incorporar el vídeo como recurso docente en los estudios de informática en cualquier curso y algunas lecciones aprendidas en lo relativo a organizar experiencias docentes basadas en este tipo de proyecto de vídeo. Gracias a ello también hemos constatado que, o bien por los niveles competenciales previos, bien por los aprendizajes informales realizados durante la experiencia, los estudiantes están en condiciones de desarrollar otros aprendizajes y competencias relevantes, como por ejemplo en nuestro caso, relativos a la Gestión de Proyectos. Estas conclusiones pueden ser de interés y/o utilidad para cualquier profesor universitario interesado en incorporar el vídeo a su asignatura, y la experiencia propuesta es extensible a otros centros y estudios.In this article we present the results obtained from a video experience in the context of university education, involving computer science centers of crossborder universities. The features of the experience are: (a) to propose small teams of students a microproject to create and publish a video in internet, without providing specific prior training of any kind; (b) to assess the videos by teachers and students based on a common framework of pre-established quality indicators and (c) to gather information through surveys of their previous competency levels, of their satisfaction with the process and made product, used tools and made learning. The analysis performed on the collected data has allowed us to draw a set of conclusions about the capabilities of university students regarding to the use and management of the video as a communication tool, the conditions in which it is feasible to incorporate the video as a teaching resource in computer science studies in any course and learned lessons with regard to organize educational experiences based on this type of video project. As a result we have also found that either by the previous levels of competence or by the informal learning during the experience, students are able to develop other learning and relevant skills, such as in our case, related to Project Management. These findings may be of interest or useful for any university teacher interested in incorporating video into their subject, and the proposed experience is extensible to other centers and studies.Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente subvencionado por el Vicerrectorado de Innovación, Compromiso social y Acción cultural de la Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, a través del proyecto DIMAROVE dentro del Programa de Innovación Educativa bienio 2017-18

Integración de buenas prácticas de metodologías activas con la reutilización de objetos de aprendizaje digitales

En este artículo presentamos un planteamiento metodológico integrado, partiendo de un conjunto de propuestas de innovación docentes orientadas al aprendizaje activo que han sido testadas por separado e implantadas en diversas asignaturas pertenecientes a cursos de niveles diferentes. Se trata de integrar los siguientes elementos: (1) generación dinámica de contenidos digitales por parte de los estudiantes e integración en Bases de Conocimiento compartidas de las asignaturas implicadas; (2) uso sistemático de contenidos de calidad, principalmente en formato vídeo, distribuidos en plataformas on-line como soporte para la clase invertida (flipped classroom); (3) valoración entre iguales como elemento de desarrollo de la capacidad reflexiva y (auto)crítica; (4) uso sistemático de la colaboración con estudiantes y profesores de otras universidades en el desarrollo de las actividades enumeradas. Como soporte para lograr un despliegue viable y ágil de la propuesta metodológica, a la par que, para reforzar las competencias específicas del profesional de la Ingeniería Informática, se utilizan herramientas de amplio uso, acceso universal, y con una amplísima base de usuarios extendida a nivel mundial. Todas ellas basadas en la nube e independientes del dispositivo y sistema. Se completa este artículo presentando datos concretos de uso de esta metodología durante varios cursos académicos en diversas asignaturas, así como los resultados obtenidos.In this article we present an integrated methodological approach, starting from a set of proposals for educational innovation oriented towards active learning that have been tested separately and implemented in various subjects belonging to courses of different levels. The aim is to integrate the following elements: (1) dynamic generation of digital content by students and their integration into shared Knowledge Bases of the subjects involved; (2) systematic use of quality content, mainly in video format, distributed on online platforms as support for flipped classroom;(3) peer evaluation as an element of developing reflective capacity and self-critical ability; (4) systematic use of collaboration with students and professors from other universities in the development of the enumerated activities. As a support to achieve a viable and agile deployment of the methodological proposal as well as to strengthen the specific competencies of computer engineering professional, widely used tools are used, with a very large user base extended worldwide and universal access. All of them are cloud-based and device and system independent. This article ends with specific data on the use of this methodology during several academic courses in different subjects, as well as the results obtained.Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente subvencionado por el Vicerrectorado de Innovación, Compromiso social y Acción cultural de la UPV/EHU, a través del proyecto DIMAROVE dentro del Programa de Innovación Educativa bienio 2017-18 y por el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, proyecto EDU2016-79838-P

Transcriptomic profiling of urine extracellular vesicles reveals alterations of CDH3 in prostate cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are emerging structures with promising properties for intercellular communication. In addition, the characterization of EV in biofluids is an attractive source of non-invasive diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Here we show that urinary EV (uEV) from prostate cancer (PCa) patients exhibit genuine and differential physical and biological properties compared to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Importantly, transcriptomics characterization of uEVs led us to define the decreased abundance of Cadherin 3, type 1 (CDH3) transcript in uEV from PCa patients. Tissue and cell line analysis strongly suggested that the status of CDH3 in uEVs is a distal reflection of changes in the expression of this cadherin in the prostate tumor. CDH3 was negatively regulated at the genomic, transcriptional, and epigenetic level in PCa. Our results reveal that uEVs could represent a non-invasive tool to inform about the molecular alterations in PCa

Low-dose statin treatment increases prostate cancer aggressiveness

Prostate cancer is diagnosed late in life, when co-morbidities are frequent. Among them, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or metabolic syndrome exhibit an elevated incidence. In turn, prostate cancer patients frequently undergo chronic pharmacological treatments that could alter disease initiation, progression and therapy response. Here we show that treatment with anti-cholesterolemic drugs, statins, at doses achieved in patients, enhance the pro-tumorigenic activity of obesogenic diets. In addition, the use of a mouse model of prostate cancer and human prostate cancer xenografts revealed that in vivo simvastatin administration alone increases prostate cancer aggressiveness. In vitro cell line systems supported the notion that this phenomenon occurs, at least in part, through the direct action on cancer cells of low doses of statins, in range of what is observed in human plasma. In sum, our results reveal a prostate cancer experimental system where statins exhibit an undesirable effect, and warrant further research to address the relevance and implications of this observation in human prostate cancer

Low-dose statin treatment increases prostate cancer aggressiveness

Altres ajuts: NM-M was supported by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), AECC JP Vizcaya. VT is supported by Fundación Vasca de Innovación e Investigación Sanitarias, BIOEF (BIO15/CA/052), the department of health of the Basque Government (2016111109) and the 2016 grant of the AECC (Junta provincial de Bizkaia). LA, AA-A and LV-J were supported by the Basque Government of education. The work of A.C. is supported by the Ramón y Cajal award, the Basque Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Etortek) and the department of education (IKERTALDE IT1106-16), FERO VIII Fellowship, the BBVA foundation, Severo Ochoa. Excellence Accreditation SEV-2016-0644) and the European Research Council (Starting Grant 336343; Proof of Concept 754627). The participation of AC, VT, NM-M, SF and AZ as part of CIBERONC was co-funded with FEDER funds.Prostate cancer is diagnosed late in life, when co-morbidities are frequent. Among them, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or metabolic syndrome exhibit an elevated incidence. In turn, prostate cancer patients frequently undergo chronic pharmacological treatments that could alter disease initiation, progression and therapy response. Here we show that treatment with anti-cholesterolemic drugs, statins, at doses achieved in patients, enhance the pro-tumorigenic activity of obesogenic diets. In addition, the use of a mouse model of prostate cancer and human prostate cancer xenografts revealed that in vivo simvastatin administration alone increases prostate cancer aggressiveness. In vitro cell line systems supported the notion that this phenomenon occurs, at least in part, through the direct action on cancer cells of low doses of statins, in range of what is observed in human plasma. In sum, our results reveal a prostate cancer experimental system where statins exhibit an undesirable effect, and warrant further research to address the relevance and implications of this observation in human prostate cancer

A loss-of-function allele of a TAC1-like gene (SlTAC1) located on tomato chromosome 10 is a candidate for the Erectoid leaf (Erl) mutation

The genetic basis of an erectoid leaf phenotype was investigated in distinct tomato breeding populations, including one derived from Solanum lycopersicum ‘LT05’ (with the erectoid leaf phenotype and uniform ripening, genotype uu) × S. pimpinellifollium ‘TO-937’ (with the wild-type leaf phenotype and green fruit shoulder, genotype UU). The erectoid leaf phenotype was inherited as a semi-dominant trait and it co-segregated with the u allele of gene SlGLK2 (Solyc10g008160). This genomic location coincides with a previously described semi-dominant mutation named as Erectoid leaf (Erl). The genomes of ‘LT05’, ‘TO-937’, and three other unrelated accessions (with the wild-type Erl+ allele) were resequenced with the aim of identifying candidate genes. Comparative genomic analyses, including the reference genome ‘Heinz 1706’ (Erl+ allele), identified an Erectoid leaf-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene Solyc10g009320. This SNP caused a change of a glutamine codon (present in all the wild-type genomes) to a TAA (= ochre stop-codon) in the Erl allele, resulting in a smaller version of the predicted mutant protein (221 vs. 279 amino acids). Solyc10g009320, previously annotated as an ‘unknown protein’, was identified as a TILLER ANGLE CONTROL1-like gene. Linkage between the Erl and Solyc10g009320 was confirmed via Sanger sequencing of the PCR amplicons of the two variant alleles. No recombinants were detected in 265 F2 individuals. Contrasting S7 near-isogenic lines were also homozygous for each of the alternate alleles, reinforcing Solyc10g009320 as a strong Erl candidate gene and opening the possibility for fine-tuning manipulation of tomato architecture in breeding programs

The metabolic co-regulator PGC1α suppresses prostate cancer metastasis

Cellular transformation and cancer progression is accompanied by changes in the metabolic landscape. Master co-regulators of metabolism orchestrate the modulation of multiple metabolic pathways through transcriptional programs, and hence constitute a probabilistically parsimonious mechanism for general metabolic rewiring. Here we show that the transcriptional co-activator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α (PGC1α) suppresses prostate cancer progression and metastasis. A metabolic co-regulator data mining analysis unveiled that PGC1α is downregulated in prostate cancer and associated with disease progression. Using genetically engineered mouse models and xenografts, we demonstrated that PGC1α opposes prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Mechanistically, the use of integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics revealed that PGC1α activates an oestrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα)-dependent transcriptional program to elicit a catabolic state and metastasis suppression. Importantly, a signature based on the PGC1α–ERRα pathway exhibited prognostic potential in prostate cancer, thus uncovering the relevance of monitoring and manipulating this pathway for prostate cancer stratification and treatment

PI3K-regulated Glycine N-methyltransferase is required for the development of prostate cancer

[EN] Glycine N-Methyltransferase (GNMT) is a metabolic enzyme that integrates metabolism and epigenetic regulation. The product of GNMT, sarcosine, has been proposed as a prostate cancer biomarker. This enzyme is predominantly expressed in the liver, brain, pancreas, and prostate tissue, where it exhibits distinct regulation. Whereas genetic alterations in GNMT have been associated to prostate cancer risk, its causal contribution to the development of this disease is limited to cell line-based studies and correlative human analyses. Here we integrate human studies, genetic mouse modeling, and cellular systems to characterize the regulation and function of GNMT in prostate cancer. We report that this enzyme is repressed upon activation of the oncogenic Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, which adds complexity to its reported dependency on androgen signaling. Importantly, we demonstrate that expression of GNMT is required for the onset of invasive prostate cancer in a genetic mouse model. Altogether, our results provide further support of the heavy oncogenic signal-dependent regulation of GNMT in prostate cancer.We are grateful to the Carracedo lab for valuable input, to Drs. Ana M. Aransay, James D. Sutherland and F. Elortza for technical advice, and Drs. Michelle Clasquin, Katie Sellers and Katya Marjon at Agios Pharmaceuticals for performing, processing and analyzing the metabolomics experiments. We thank the Basque Biobank for Research (BIOEF) for the support with prostate specimen acquisition and management. A.A-A. was funded by the Basque Government (predoctoral fellowship). V.T. is funded by Fundación Vasca de Innovación e Investigación Sanitarias, BIOEF (BIO15/CA/052), the AECC J.P. Bizkaia, the Basque Department of Health (2016111109) and the MICINN RTI2018-097267-B-I00. I.M. is supported by Fundación Cris Contra el Cáncer (PR_TPD_2020-19). The work of A. Carracedo is supported by the Basque Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Elkartek), the department of education (IKERTALDE IT1106-16) and health (RIS3), the BBVA foundation, the MICINN (SAF2016-79381-R; PID2019-108787RB-I00 (FEDER/EU); Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation SEV-2016-0644; Excellence Networks RED2018-102769-T), the AECC (GCTRA18006CARR), Vencer el Cáncer Foundation, La Caixa Foundation (ID 100010434), under the agreement LCF/PR/HR17/ and the European Research Council (Starting Grant 336343, PoC 754627, Consolidator Grant 819242). CIBERONC was co-funded with FEDER funds and funded by ISCIII. We are grateful for the support of Mondravember and Movembergara. A.E. was supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the EU programme NextGenerationEU/PRTR (IJC2020-043583-I). The work of JM Mato was supported by NIH grant R01CA172086 and SAF2017-88041-R. EB is funded by the MICINN (BFU2016-76872-R (FEDER/EU), PID2019-108112RB-I00, and Excellence Networks SAF2017-90794-REDT)