Purposeful Humour: Laughter and Ethnicity in Michele Serros' How to Be a Chicana Role Model.

El/la Chicano/a vive en contacto con dos culturas diferentes: la mexicana y la anglo-americana. Así, la Chicanidad se suele definir en términos de dualidad, fluidez, transculturalidad, alteridad, mestizaje (Anzaldúa) o hibridez (Bhabha). En última instancia, sin embargo, la identidad étnica se basa en una concepción abierta que depende de la performatividad de cada individuo. El humor puede aprovechar el carácter artificial de la Chicanidad para de-construir y redefinir los parámetros que la limitan, funcionando pues como una herramienta fundamental para la transformación individual y colectiva. Múltiples teorías sobre los mecanismos del humor (teoría de la descarga y de la incongruencia, lo carnavalesco, la “antiretórica” del humor [Gilbert] y la sympathy theory [O’Donnell]) revelan la utilidad de la risa como estrategia terapéutica, como instrumento para el diálogo intercultural y para el cambio social, y como una forma de resistencia. Este trabajo presta atención a los modos en los que Michele Serros emplea el humor con fines sociales en How to Be a Chicana Role Model (2000). La escritora fomenta el diálogo intra- e intercultural, promueve el sentimiento de comunidad, y desestabiliza suposiciones racistas. Con respeto a este último caso, se prestará especial atención al uso de la ironía y la imitación burlesca de discursos racistas. El ensayo llega a la conclusión de que, por medio de un género cómico, Serros entra en la cultura popular y se presenta como sujeto defendiendo la libertad de definirse a sí misma.<br /

A genome-wide association study follow-up suggests a possible role for PPARG in systemic sclerosis susceptibility

Introduction: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) comprising a French cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) reported several non-HLA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing a nominal association in the discovery phase. We aimed to identify previously overlooked susceptibility variants by using a follow-up strategy.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: Sixty-six non-HLA SNPs showing a P value &#60;10-4 in the discovery phase of the French SSc GWAS were analyzed in the first step of this study, performing a meta-analysis that combined data from the two published SSc GWASs. A total of 2,921 SSc patients and 6,963 healthy controls were included in this first phase. Two SNPs, PPARG rs310746 and CHRNA9 rs6832151, were selected for genotyping in the replication cohort (1,068 SSc patients and 6,762 healthy controls) based on the results of the first step. Genotyping was performed by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Results: We observed nominal associations for both PPARG rs310746 (PMH = 1.90 × 10-6, OR, 1.28) and CHRNA9 rs6832151 (PMH = 4.30 × 10-6, OR, 1.17) genetic variants with SSc in the first step of our study. In the replication phase, we observed a trend of association for PPARG rs310746 (P value = 0.066; OR, 1.17). The combined overall Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis of all the cohorts included in the present study revealed that PPARG rs310746 remained associated with SSc with a nominal non-genome-wide significant P value (PMH = 5.00 × 10-7; OR, 1.25). No evidence of association was observed for CHRNA9 rs6832151 either in the replication phase or in the overall pooled analysis.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusion: Our results suggest a role of PPARG gene in the development of SSc

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture. Methods: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded. We analyzed associations with risk factors for fracture in both populations and with disease-related variables in RA patients. Results: Median age of RA patients was 64 years; median RA duration was eight years. Sixty-nine percent were in remission or on low activity. Eighty-five percent had received glucocorticoids (GCs); 85 %, methotrexate; and 40 %, ≥1 biologic DMARD. Fifty-four patients and 47 controls had ≥1 major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). Incidence of MOFs was 3.55 per 100 patient-year in patients and 0.72 in controls (HR: 2.6). Risk factors for MOFs in RA patients were age, previous fracture, parental hip fracture, years since menopause, BMD, erosions, disease activity and disability, and cumulative dose of GCs. Previous fracture in RA patients was a strong risk for MOFs (HR: 10.37). Conclusion: Of every 100 postmenopausal Spanish women with RA, 3-4 have a MOF per year. This is more than double that of the general population. A previous fracture poses a high risk for a new fracture. Other classic risk factors for fracture, RA disease activity and disability, and the cumulative dose of GCs are associated with fracture development

Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

Cross-disease Meta-analysis of Genome-wide Association Studies for Systemic Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Reveals IRF4 as a New Common Susceptibility Locus

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are autoimmune diseases that share clinical and immunological characteristics. To date, several shared SSc- RA loci have been identified independently. In this study, we aimed to systematically search for new common SSc-RA loci through an inter-disease meta-GWAS strategy. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis combining GWAS datasets of SSc and RA using a strategy that allowed identification of loci with both same-direction and opposingdirection allelic effects. The top single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were followed-up in independent SSc and RA case-control cohorts. This allowed us to increase the sample size to a total of 8,830 SSc patients, 16,870 RA patients and 43,393 controls. Results: The cross-disease meta-analysis of the GWAS datasets identified several loci with nominal association signals (P-value < 5 x 10-6), which also showed evidence of association in the disease-specific GWAS scan. These loci included several genomic regions not previously reported as shared loci, besides risk factors associated with both diseases in previous studies. The follow-up of the putatively new SSc-RA loci identified IRF4 as a shared risk factor for these two diseases (Pcombined = 3.29 x 10-12). In addition, the analysis of the biological relevance of the known SSc-RA shared loci pointed to the type I interferon and the interleukin 12 signaling pathways as the main common etiopathogenic factors. Conclusions: Our study has identified a novel shared locus, IRF4, for SSc and RA and highlighted the usefulness of cross-disease GWAS meta-analysis in the identification of common risk loci

Estudio fitotoxicológico preliminar de diez especies vegetales utilizadas en medicina tradicional

Se realizó un análisis fitoquímico preliminar y un estudio de la letalidad sobre larvas de A. salina y toxicidad en Daphnia magna, de doce extractos etanólicos obtenidos de  diez plantas utilizadas por algunas comunidades indígenas y campesinas de Colombia.  Se encontró que todas poseen varios grupos de  metabolitos secundarios y que la mayoría de los extractos, presentaron una alta toxicidad frente a los organismos de prueba, evidenciándose de esta forma la actividad biológica de las especies estudiadas y la posible correlación de las mismas con su uso en la medicina tradicional.It was accomplished a Preliminary phytochemicals screening and a study of the Artemia salina (brine shrimp) lethality  as  well as  Daphnia magna toxicity of  twelve ethanolic extracts obtained of ten plants used by some indigenous communities and peasantes from Colombia.  It was found that all possess several groups of secondary metabolites and most of the extracts, presented a high toxicity as compared to the test organisms, being evidenced in this way the biological activity of the studied species and the possible relation of the same with its  use in the traditional medicine

Aragón educa : revista del Museo Pedagógico de Aragón

Se habla del desarrollo creciente de la función educativa en los museos de Aragón. Se evidencia el acercamiento del patrimonio cultural que ofrecen, sirviendo de apoyo en el desarrollo curricular de diversas materias. Se resumen las actividades, los talleres, las exposiciones y las visitas guiadas que se ofrecen en los museos más importantes de Aragón. Se destaca el aumento de las exigencias de calidad de sus usuarios debido a la extensión de los medios audiovisuales, las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación.AragónDirección General de Política Educativa; Avda. Gómez Laguna, 25, planta 2; 50009 Zaragoza; Tel. +34976715416; Fax +34976715496ES

Por cuatro rincones de mi ciudad : un proyecto intergeneracional

Esta publicación obtuvo el Primer Premio Joaquín Guichot a investigaciones, experiencias y materiales sobre Andalucía y su cultura de la edición nº XXIX del curso 2016/2017Se presenta una innovación educativa en la que han colaborado, en distintas etapas y localidades, varios centros educativos de la provincia de Jaén unidos por la inquietud de hacer de la investigación el lugar desde el que avanzar hacia un modelo compartido de intervención en las aulas. Se crea un punto de encuentro intergeneracional donde infancia, familia, escuela y sociedad surgen como pilares para el andamiaje de una ciudadanía comprometida con su entorno. El alumnado fija la mirada sobre determinados lugares de la ciudad o pueblo: lugares emblemáticos o escondidos (plazas, parques, monumentos...) que presenten un incipiente estado de abandono o que permitan dejarse mirar “con ojos de niño” para descubrir sus posibilidades de juego, de mejora y de reivindicación de la ciudadanía de la infancia. Por grupos, de la mano de docentes, familias, agentes sociales o alumnado de mayor edad, se investiga sobre los lugares seleccionados para descubrir los tesoros que encierran (artísticos, culturales, urbanísticos, naturales, medioambientales…) y se proponen mejoras al tiempo que se tejen redes de selección de contenidos vinculados al aprendizaje colaborativo, social y emocional.AndalucíaES