Se hace geografía al andar : la salida de campo itinerante y senderista

Las salidas de campo representan un método de enseñanza fuera del aula muy característico de la Geografía y cuentan con una larga trayectoria histórica. En este artículo presentamos la Salida Itinerante de Geografía, una experiencia docente transversal en la que profesores y alumnos universitarios recorren a pie durante varios días seguidos unespacio de carácter natural y rural. La caminata sirve para vertebrar el trabajo de campo, que se organiza por grupos, abordando las distintas claves territoriales y paisajísticas del ámbito. Asimismo, llevamos a cabo una evaluación de esta experiencia docente queservirá para mejorar futuras ediciones.The field trips represent a method of teaching outside the classroom, which is very characteristic in Geography and have a long history. In this paper we present the Salida Itinerante de Geografía, a cross-cutting teaching experience where university teachers and students walk for several days through natural and rural areas. The hike serves to vertebrate the field work, which is organized by groups and themes, addressing the different territorial keys of the area. Likewise, an evaluation of this teaching experience is carried out as a feedback to improve future editions.Les sorties de terrain constituent une méthode d’enseignement en dehors de la salle de cours caractéristiques de la Géographie qui ont une longue trajectoire historique. Dans cet article, nous présentons la Salida Itinerante de Geografía, une expérience d’enseignement transversale dans laquelle les enseignants et les élèves du parcourent un espace à caractère naturel et rural. La randonnée sert à structurer le travail sur le terrain, organisé en groupes qui abordent les aspectsles plus remarquables du parcours du point de vue territorial. En outre, nous avons effectué une évaluation de cette expérience éducative qui serviront de feedback à appliquer dans les éditions à venir.Fil: Miguel García Martín. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Arsenio Villar Lama. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Pablo Fraile Jurado. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Sanchez Carnero, Noela Belen. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR - CONICET); ArgentinaFil: Márquez Pérez, Joaquín. Universidad de Sevilla; Españ

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p < 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics

Efficacy of the combination of amlodipine and valsartan in patients with hypertension uncontrolled with previous monotherapy: the Exforge in Failure after Single Therapy (EX-FAST) study

In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter study, patients whose blood pressure (BP) was uncontrolled by monotherapy were switched directly to amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg (n=443) or 10/160 mg (n=451). After 16 weeks, BP control (levels <140/90 mm Hg or <130/80 mm Hg for diabetics) was achieved in 72.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68.6-76.9) of patients receiving amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg and in 74.8% (95% CI, 70.8-78.9) receiving amlodipine/valsartan 10/160 mg. Incremental reductions from baseline in mean sitting systolic and diastolic BP were significantly greater with the higher dose (20.0+/-0.7 vs 17.5+/-0.7 mm Hg; P=.0003 and 11.6+/-0.4 vs 10.4+/-0.4 mm Hg; P=.0046). Incremental BP reductions were also achieved with both regimens irrespective of previous monotherapy, hypertension severity, diabetic status, body mass index, and age. Peripheral edema was the most frequent adverse event. These results provide support for the BP-lowering benefits of complementary antihypertensive therapy with amlodipine and valsartan in patients with hypertension uncontrolled by previous monotherapy

Mapping inundation probability due to increasing sea level rise along El Puerto de Santa María (SW Spain)

Global sea levels have risen through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This rise will almost certainly continue and probably accelerate during the rest of the twenty-first century, albeit there is strong disagreement about the range of future sea level rise due to uncertainties regarding scenarios and emission of greenhouse gasses. Although the impacts of sea level rise are diverse, inundation during high tides is one of the most obvious and immediate consequences. A probabilistic methodology for mapping the inundation hazard because of sea level rise has been applied to the coast of El Puerto de Santa María in the province of Cádiz in southwest Spain. This methodology involves a step forward since represents the full range of probabilities, associated with each scenario of sea level rise considered, and thus offers a more realistic view of the probability of inundation in each area. Results show large differences in the spatial distribution of probable inundation in urban areas and wetlands leading to different consequences for management actions.Fil: Fraile Jurado, Pablo. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Álvarez Francoso, José I.. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Guisado Pintado, Emilia. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Sanchez Carnero, Noela Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda Zújar, José. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Leatherman, Stephen P.. Florida International University; Estados Unido

Bone Health and Its Relationship with Impact Loading and the Continuity of Physical Activity throughout School Periods

Bone is influenced by physical activity (PA) throughout life, but childhood and adolescence provide a key opportunity to maximize peak bone mass. Thus, it is important to identify the relationship between PA practiced in childhood and young adulthood to design a promotion plan for bone health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between different impact-loading PAs (and their continuity throughout school periods from childhood to young adulthood) and bone stiffness index (SI). In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted on 145 university students aged 18&ndash;21 years, bone measurements were measured by quantitative ultrasonometry (QUS), and PA information was recalled using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between the SI and the impact of PA performed during secondary school (p = 0.027), high school (p = 0.002), and university (p = 0.016) periods were observed. The continuity of PA over a longer period of time was related to a higher SI (p = 0.007). Those who practiced PA throughout all school periods had a higher SI than those who practiced during primary school only (p = 0.038) or through primary and secondary schools (p = 0.009). These results suggest that impact-loading PA practiced during different school periods is related to higher values of the SI. Therefore, continuous PA from an early age may be an important contributing factor to achieving and maintaining adequate bone health

A pilot study identifying a set of microRNAs as precise diagnostic biomarkers of acute kidney injury

© 2015 Aguado-Fraile et al.In the last decade, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) diagnosis and therapy have not notably improved probably due to delay in the diagnosis, among other issues. Precocity and accuracy should be critical parameters in novel AKI biomarker discovery. microRNAs are key regulators of cell responses to many stimuli and they can be secreted to the extracellular environment. Therefore, they can be detected in body fluids and are emerging as novel disease biomarkers. We aimed to identify and validate serum miRNAs useful for AKI diagnosis and management. Using qRT-PCR arrays in serum samples, we determined miRNAs differentially expressed between AKI patients and healthy controls. Statistical and target prediction analysis allowed us to identify a panel of 10 serum miRNAs. This set was further validated, by qRT-PCR, in two independent cohorts of patients with relevant morbi-mortality related to AKI: Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Cardiac Surgery (CS). Statistical correlations with patient clinical parameter were performed. Our results demonstrated that the 10 selected miRNAs (miR-101-3p, miR-127-3p, miR-210-3p, miR-126-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-93-3p and miR-10a-5p) were diagnostic biomarkers of AKI in ICU patients, exhibiting areas under the curve close to 1 in ROC analysis. Outstandingly, serum miRNAs estimated before CS predicted AKI development later on, thus becoming biomarkers to predict AKI predisposition. Moreover, after surgery, the expression of the miRNAs was modulated days before serum creatinine increased, demonstrating early diagnostic value. In summary, we have identified a set of serum miRNAs as AKI biomarkers useful in clinical practice, since they demonstrate early detection and high diagnostic value and they recognize patients at risk.This work was supported by grants FIS PS09/02183 and PS12/00094 by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Comunidad de MAdrid-Consorcio de Investigación en Fracaso Renal Agudo (CAM-CIFRA, S2010/BMD-2378). EAF was supported by CAM-CIFRA (S2010/BMD-2378) and is currently funded by Eusebio Martín Escudero Foundation Fellowship, ER was funded by Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN, RD12/0021/0020), MR was recipient of contract from ISCIII (CA11/00491)