An investigation into CLIL-related sections of EFL coursebooks : issues of CLIL inclusion in the publishing market

The current ELT global coursebook market has embraced CLIL as a weak form of bilingual education and an innovative component to include in General English coursebooks for EFL contexts. In this paper I investigate how CLIL is included in ELT coursebooks aimed at teenaged learners, available to teachers in Argentina. My study is based on the content analysis of four series which include a section advertised as CLIL-oriented. Results suggest that such sections are characterised by (1) little correlation between featured subject specific content and school curricula in L1, (2) oversimplification of contents, and (3) dominance of reading skills development and lower-order thinking tasks. Through this study, I argue that CLIL components become superficial supplements rather than a meaningful attempt to promote weak forms of bilingual education

An international comparative study of blood pressure in populations of European vs. African descent

Background: The consistent finding of higher prevalence of hypertension in US blacks compared to whites has led to speculation that African-origin populations are particularly susceptible to this condition. Large surveys now provide new information on this issue. Methods: Using a standardized analysis strategy we examined prevalence estimates for 8 white and 3 black populations (N = 85,000 participants). Results: The range in hypertension prevalence was from 27 to 55% for whites and 14 to 44% for blacks. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that not only is there a wide variation in hypertension prevalence among both racial groups, the rates among blacks are not unusually high when viewed internationally. These data suggest that the impact of environmental factors among both populations may have been under-appreciated

Key Concept: Criticality

In English language education, the word 'critical' can be used in different ways, qualifying different phenomena. Thus, the development of 'critical thinking' is a goal in some ELT classrooms or teacher education programmes; there is also 'critical pedagogy', which seeks empowerment and social transformation; and 'critical perspectives' can be taken towards the enterprise of ELT itself. Here, we will try to show how these apparently different forms of criticality are linked together

Hypertension Treatment and Control in Five European Countries, Canada, and the United States

Levels of hypertension treatment and control have been noted to vary between Europe and North America, although direct comparisons with similar methods have not been undertaken. In this study, we sought to estimate the relative impact of hypertension treatment strategies in Germany, Sweden, England, Spain, Italy, Canada, and the United States by using sample surveys conducted in the 1990s. Hypertension was defined as a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg or 140/90 mm Hg, plus persons taking antihypertensive medication. Controlled hypertension was defined as a blood pressure less than threshold among persons taking antihypertensive medications. Among persons 35 to 64 years, 66% of hypertensives in the United States had their blood pressure controlled at 160/95 mm Hg, compared with 49% in Canada and 23% to 38% in Europe. Similar discrepancies were apparent at the 140/90 mm Hg threshold, at which 29% of hypertensives in the United States, 17% in Canada, and ≤10% in European countries had their blood pressure controlled. At the 140/90 mm Hg cutpoint, two thirds to three quarters of the hypertensives in Canada and Europe were untreated compared with slightly less than half in the United States. Although guidelines vary among countries, resulting in different case definitions, this does not account entirely for the varying success of different national control efforts. Low treatment and control rates in Europe, combined with a higher prevalence of hypertension, could contribute to a higher burden of cardiovascular disease risk attributable to elevated blood pressure compared with that in North America

VKORC1 gene polymorphism as cardiovascular biomarker: Detection by electrochemical genosensors

Warfarin is an anticoagulant generally used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Since of the low therapeutic index of warfarin and frequent complications of prevention or treatment, significant differences in individual doses of warfarin are needed to achieve prophylactic and therapeutic ranges. Recent studies have been reporting that genetic variants of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex (VKORC1) influence the response to warfarin and doses [9]. So, the genetic and pharmacogenetic information of the major cardiovascular diseases plays an important role in the identification of the cardiovascular risk factors and in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. This work addresses the development of a disposable electrochemical genosensor able of detecting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the VKORC1 gene. Analysing public databases, two specific 52 bp DNA probes, one with adenine (TA) and another with guanine (TG) SNP genetic variation were selected and selected and designed. The genosensor methodology implied the immobilization of a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) linear VKORC1 DNA-capture probe and mercaptohexanol (MCH) onto screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGE). To improve the genosensor´s selectivity and avoid strong secondary structures, that could hinder the hybridization efficiency, a sandwich format of the VKORC1 allele was designed using a complementary fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled signaling DNA probe and enzymatic amplification of the electrochemical signal. Preliminary studies indicate that differences in the electrochemical answers were obtained depending of the hybridization reaction format. In fact, higher electrochemical intensities were measured when the hybridization reaction was performed with a complementary DNA (without SNPs). These results suggested that the sensor is able to discriminate between the complementary DNA and single base mismatch targets having a great potential for the DNA polymorphism analysis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of electrochemical genosensors for the CYPC*2 gene polymorphism detection

Pharmacogenetic studies search for heritable genetic polymorphisms that influence responses to drug therapy. Pharmacogenetics has many possible applications in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy including screening for polymorphisms to choose agents with the greatest potential for efficacy and least risk of toxicity. Pharmacogenetics also informs dose adaptations for specific drugs in patients with aberrant metabolism. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. To prevent cardiovascular complications and further loss of life oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) are frequently prescribed to patients. Nevertheless, warfarin therapeutic agent presents narrow therapeutic windows with well-documented health risks. Some of these dose-responses are a result of specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic variations present in a patient´s DNA. Among them, determined SNP in the cytochrome P4502C9 (CYP2C9), namely the CYP2C9*2, gene has been identified as dose-response altering SNP. Therefore, the need for a rapid, selective, low-cost and in real time detection device is crucial before prescribing any anticoagulant. In this work an analytical approach based on electrochemical genosensor technique is under development to create a low-cost genotyping platform able to genotype SNPs related with the therapeutic response of warfarin. Analyzing public databases, two specific 71 bp DNA probes, one with adenine (TA) and other with guanine (TG) SNP genetic variation were selected and designed. The design of this electrochemical genosensor consists of ssDNA immobilization onto gold surfaces that act as the SNPs complementary probes. The hybridization reaction is performed in a sandwich format of the complementary ssDNA, using an enzymatic scheme to amplify the electrochemical signal. The electrochemical signal was performed by using chronoamperometric technique.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Patterns of medication adherence in a multi-ethnic cohort of prevalent statin users diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer

Purpose: To investigate the implications of a cancer diagnosis on medication adherence for pre-existing comorbid conditions, we explored statin adherence patterns prior to and following a new diagnosis of breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer among a multi-ethnic cohort. Methods: We identified adults enrolled at Kaiser Permanente Northern California who were prevalent statin medication users, newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer between 2000 and 2012. Statin adherence was measured using the proportion of days covered (PDC) during the 2-year pre-cancer diagnosis and the 2-year post-cancer diagnosis. Adherence patterns were assessed using generalized estimating equations, for all cancers combined and stratified by cancer type and race/ethnicity, adjusted for demographic, clinical, and tumor characteristics. Results: Among 10,177 cancer patients, statin adherence decreased from pre- to post-cancer diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio (ORadj):0.91, 95% confidence interval (95% CI):0.88–0.94). Statin adherence decreased from pre- to post-cancer diagnosis among breast (ORadj:0.94, 95% CI:0.90–0.99) and colorectal (ORadj:0.79, 95% CI:0.74–0.85) cancer patients. No difference in adherence was observed among prostate cancer patients (ORadj:1.01, 95% CI:0.97–1.05). Prior to cancer diagnosis, adherence to statins was generally higher among non-Hispanic whites and multi-race patients than other groups. However, statin adherence after diagnosis decreased only among these two populations (ORadj:0.85, 95% CI:0.85–0.92 and ORadj:0.86, 95% CI:0.76–0.97), respectively. Conclusions: We found substantial variation in statin medication adherence following diagnosis by cancer type and race/ethnicity among a large cohort of prevalent statin users in an integrated health care setting. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Improving our understanding of comorbidity management and polypharmacy across diverse cancer patient populations is warranted to develop tailored interventions that improve medication adherence and reduce disparities in health outcomes

Functional and neurometabolic asymmetry in SHR and WKY rats following vasoactive treatments

A lateralized distribution of neuropeptidase activities in the frontal cortex of normotensive and hypertensive rats has been described depending on the use of some vasoactive drugs and linked to certain mood disorders. Asymmetrical neuroperipheral connections involving neuropeptidases from the left or right hemisphere and aminopeptidases from the heart or plasma have been suggested to play a role in this asymmetry. We hypothesize that such asymmetries could be extended to the connection between the brain and physiologic parameters and metabolic factors from plasma and urine. To assess this hypothesis, we analyzed the possible correlation between neuropeptidases from the left and right frontal cortex with peripheral parameters in normotensive (Wistar Kyoto [WKY]) rats and hypertensive rats (spontaneously hypertensive rats [SHR]) untreated or treated with vasoactive drugs such as captopril, propranolol and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester. Neuropeptidase activities from the frontal cortex were analyzed fluorometrically using arylamide derivatives as substrates. Physiological parameters and metabolic factors from plasma and urine were determined using routine laboratory techniques. Vasoactive drug treatments differentially modified the asymmetrical neuroperipheral pattern by changing the predominance of the correlations between peripheral parameters and central neuropeptidase activities of the left and right frontal cortex. The response pattern also differed between SHR and WKY rats. These results support an asymmetric integrative function of the organism and suggest the possibility of a different neurometabolic response coupled to particular mood disorders, depending on the selected vasoactive drug.This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation through project no. SAF 2008 04685 C02 01

Mediterranean lifestyle index and 24-h systolic blood pressure and heart rate in community-dwelling older adults

Specifc foods, nutrients, dietary patterns, and physical activity are associated with lower blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), but little is known about the joint efect of lifestyle factors captured in a multidimensional score. We assessed the association of a validated Mediterranean-lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index with 24-h-ambulatory BP and HR in everyday life among community-living older adults. Data were taken from 2,184 individuals (51% females, mean age: 71.4 years) from the SeniorsENRICA-2 cohort. The MEDLIFE index consisted of 29 items arranged in three blocks: 1) Food consumption; 2) Dietary habits; and 3) Physical activity, rest, and conviviality. A higher MEDLIFE score (0–29 points) represented a better Mediterranean lifestyle adherence. 24-h-ambulatory BP and HR were obtained with validated oscillometric devices. Analyses were performed with linear regression adjusted for the main confounders. The MEDLIFEhighest quintile (vs Q1) was associated with lower nighttime systolic BP (SBP) (-3.17 mmHg [95% CI: -5.25, -1.08]; p-trend=0.011), greater nocturnal-SBP fall (1.67% [0.51, 2.83]; p-trend=0.052), and lower HR (-2.04 bpm [daytime], -2.33 bpm [nighttime], and -1.93 bpm [24-h]; all p-trend<0.001). Results were similar for each of the three blocks of MEDLIFE and by hypertension status (yes/no). Among older adults, higher adherence to MEDLIFE was associated with lower nighttime SBP, greater nocturnal-SBP fall, and lower HR in their everyday life. These results suggest a synergistic BP-related protection from the components of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Future studies should determine whether these results replicate in older adults from other Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countriesThis work was supported by FIS grants 19/319, 20/00896, and 22/1164 from the Carlos III Health Institute, the Secretary of R+D+I, and the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund; and by International; REACT EU Program. Comunidad de Madrid and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Union: FACINGLCOVID-CM project, Comunidad de Madrid and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Union. MSP holds a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC2018–025069-I) from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universitie

Estrategia pedagógica en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje para acercar a los estudiantes a la realidad productiva en la cual desarrollarán su profesión: programa de iniciación profesional

La vinculación de la Universidad con la comunidad, procura a partir de la respuesta que brinda a las demandas y necesidades que se presenten en el ámbito social, articular conocimientos académicos, científicos y tecnológicos, con las diferentes realidades que emergen del medio. La Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias de la U.N.C, a través de la asignatura Mejoramiento Animal, implementa en el Campo Escuela un sistema productivo con bovinos de la raza Angus, la cual focaliza su función como unidad de transferencia tecnológica y espacio de formación de recursos humanos, tanto a nivel de grado, con los alumnos de la carrera, como a nivel regional mediante la capacitación de los actores sociales regionales. La implementación del Programa de Iniciación Profesional como técnica participativa de educación adaptada a las temáticas relacionadas y objetivos propuestos y a partir de la generación de debates y reflexiones con productores, tiende a la búsqueda y generación de respuestas conjuntas. Dichos espacios de capacitación permitieron aportar fundamentos teóricos y entrenamiento en manejo productivo y técnicas ganaderas para favorecer los procesos formativos integrales y críticos que afiancen el desarrollo y sustentabilidad productiva regional. Es así que dicho programa relaciono a los estudiantes de esta Facultad a través del contacto directo con la práctica y la realidad productiva promoviendo y fortaleciendo la experiencia socio-productiva en la región del Noroeste de La Provincia de Córdoba.Eje temático 2: Problemáticas y alternativas de mejora de la enseñanza (continuación) e - Los enfoques y modalidades de integración curricularFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale