A case study of university student networks and the COVID-19 pandemic using a social network analysis approach in halls of residence

[EN] The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that young university students have had to adapt their learning and have a reduced relational context. Adversity contexts build models of human behaviour based on relationships. However, there is a lack of studies that analyse the behaviour of university students based on their social structure in the context of a pandemic. This information could be useful in making decisions on how to plan collective responses to adversities. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) method has been chosen to address this structural perspective. The aim of our research is to describe the structural behaviour of students in university residences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a more in-depth analysis of student leaders. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at one Spanish Public University, León, from 23th October 2020 to 20th November 2020. The participation was of 93 students, from four halls of residence. The data were collected from a database created specifically at the university to "track" contacts in the COVID-19 pandemic, SiVeUle. We applied the SNA for the analysis of the data. The leadership on the university residence was measured using centrality measures. The top leaders were analyzed using the Egonetwork and an assessment of the key players. Students with higher social reputations experience higher levels of pandemic contagion in relation to COVID-19 infection. The results were statistically significant between the centrality in the network and the results of the COVID-19 infection. The most leading students showed a high degree of Betweenness, and three students had the key player structure in the network. Networking behaviour of university students in halls of residence could be related to contagion in the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be described on the basis of aspects of similarities between students, and even leaders connecting the cohabitation sub-networks. In this context, Social Network Analysis could be considered as a methodological approach for future network studies in health emergency contexts.S

Monitoring of microbial bioarosols in a metabolic and dietetic kitchen of a Public hospital in Paraguay.

The metabolic kitchen is a sensitive point within a hospital, so it must be free of potentially food contaminating pathogenic microorganisms, hence the monitoring of bioarosols is an important tool for air quality control and the establishment of cleaning procedures. This work aimed to monitor fungal and bacterial bioaerosols present in the metabolic-diet cooking area of a public hospital in Paraguay.CONACYT - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y TecnologíaPROCIENCI

Paraguay’s approach to biotechnology governance: a comprehensive guide

This study analyzes Paraguay’s biotechnology regulatory framework and its alignment with international standards amid biotechnological advancements. It also identifies areas of improvement for enhancing framework effectiveness. Through this work, we aim to provide a resource for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers navigating Paraguay’s biotechnology regulation

La integración intercátedras en el profesorado universitario como un espacio de formación en investigación - acción

La investigación educativa ha revestido a través de su historia concepciones epistemológicas, abordajes metodológicos y formas de enunciación diversas ordenadas según la mirada de investigador y el propósito que cada trabajo conlleva, explícita e implícitamente. En ese sentido, la presente investigación tiene el propósito de describir analíticamente el proceso de formación en investigación- acción efectuado en la experiencia de integración realizada por dos cátedras de la Carrera del Profesorado Universitario: Investigación educativa y Didáctica Especial. Dicho proceso se sostiene a partir del reconocimiento de problemáticas planteadas por los alumnos-profesionales, en su trabajo como docentes. La construcción del problema de investigación requiere de la utilización de diferentes estrategias pedagógicas, como las siguientes: la presentación de la propuesta conjunta de ambas cátedras, el acompañamiento para focalizar la temática, las orientaciones en la construcción del problema de investigación, el seguimiento, devolución y evaluación de los avances del proyecto, brindados de manera conjunta por las docentes de ambas cátedras. De esta manera, se pretende avanzar desde esquemas amplios respecto a la temática a investigar para orientar- en un trabajo sostenido- a la delimitación en tiempo, espacio y contenido que revisen confusiones, confrontaciones y dudas en el proceso de conocimiento por parte de los alumnos-profesionales. Ello permitiría generar procesos de reflexión sobre las acciones mencionadas y permitir una retroalimentación para docentes y estudiantes posibilitando desarrollar las asignaturas de una forma diferente, mejorar el proceso educativo y combinar la enseñanza con la investigación convirtiéndose esta última en una estrategia para el aprendizaje.Fil: Calneggia, María Isabel. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Lucchese, Marcela Susana María. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Di Francesco, Adriana Carlota. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; Argentin

Stress coping behaviour, brain connectivity and LPA1 receptor: similarities and differences between the genetic and the pharmacological approach

LPA1 receptor is one of the six characterized G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-6) through which lysophosphatidic acid acts as an intercellular signalling molecule. It has been recently proposed that this receptor has a key role in controlling depression-like behaviours and in the detrimental consequences of stress. Here, we sought to establish the involvement of the LPA1 receptor in brain activity after an acute stressor. To this end, we examined behavioural despair in mice with a constitutive depletion of the LPA1 receptor (maLPA1-null mice), wild-type mice and mice receiving one single icv dose of the LPA1 receptor antagonist Ki16425 or vehicle. Furthermore, the expression of c-Fos protein in stress-related brain areas and the corticosterone response following acute stress were examined. Our data indicated that, contrary to the knockout model, the antagonism of the LPA1 receptor significantly increased immobility in the Forced Swim Test. However, latency to first immobility was reduced in both experimental conditions. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed an increased in activity in key limbic structures such as medial prefrontal cortex in both the LPA1 antagonist-treated mice and maLPA1-null mice, with an interesting opposed effect on hippocampal activity. Following acute stress, the sole infusion of Ki16425 in the cerebral ventricle increased corticosterone levels. In conclusion, the alteration of LPA1 receptor function, through both genetic deletion or pharmacological antagonism, is involved in behavioural despair and hyperactivity of brain stress systems, thus contributing to explore specific susceptibility mechanisms of stress as targets for therapeutic recovery.Funding by the Andalusian Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment (SEJ1863) and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports ( PSI2017 - 83408 - P). Authors RD. M-F and A. N-Q hold a Grant of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (FPU14/01610 and FPU16/05308, respectively). Author S.T. holds a Grant of the Andalusian Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment C. R. (FPDI 2016); Andalucía Tech. I Plan Propio de Investiga ción y Transferencia de la Universidad de Málaga. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Social avoidance and altered stress axis in a mouse model of anxious depression

Prevalence of stress-related disorders, such as depression, is raising in modern societies. Indeed, current neurobiological research aims to elucidate the link between deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis among vulnerable individuals and the onset of depressive symptoms, such as social withdrawal. Herein, we seek to determine the role of LPA1 receptor in social behaviour and the performance of maLPA1-null mice, a model of anxious depression, in the dexamethasone (DEX) suppression test. For that purpose, we used the three-chamber test for social preference. Also, we administered vehicle or DEX 0.1mg/kg to wild-type (WT) mice and maLPA1-null mice, analysed corticosterone (CORT) response by ELISA method and determine glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) in the hippocampus by Western-Blot analysis. We found that maLPA1-null mice lack preference for the social chamber as compared to WT animals. Additionally, mice lacking the LPA1 receptor did not suppress CORT after DEX treatment and increased significantly hippocampal SGK1 expression despite unaltered GR protein levels. These results provide further insight on the role of LPA1 receptors in depressive-like behavior and the pathological intracellular signals involved in stress regulation.Andalusian Regional Ministries of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment (SEJ1863 to CP and CTS-643 to GE-T) and of Health (Nicolas Monardes Programme to GE-T). Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (PSI2013-44901-P to LJS and CP; and co-financed with Funds of the European Commission “FEDER” PSI2017-83408-P to CP). Author AN-Q and RDM-F hold Grants of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (FPU 16/05308; FPU14/01610, respectively). Author FJG-S held a Grant of the First Research and Transfer Plan of the University of Malaga. University of Malaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech, and I Plan Propio de Investigación y Transferencia of the University of Malaga

La integración intercátedras en el profesorado universitario como un espacio de formación en investigación - acción

La investigación educativa ha revestido a través de su historia concepciones epistemológicas, abordajes metodológicos y formas de enunciación diversas ordenadas según la mirada de investigador y el propósito que cada trabajo conlleva, explícita e implícitamente. En ese sentido, la presente investigación tiene el propósito de describir analíticamente el proceso de formación en investigación- acción efectuado en la experiencia de integración realizada por dos cátedras de la Carrera del Profesorado Universitario: Investigación educativa y Didáctica Especial. Dicho proceso se sostiene a partir del reconocimiento de problemáticas planteadas por los alumnos-profesionales, en su trabajo como docentes. La construcción del problema de investigación requiere de la utilización de diferentes estrategias pedagógicas, como las siguientes: la presentación de la propuesta conjunta de ambas cátedras, el acompañamiento para focalizar la temática, las orientaciones en la construcción del problema de investigación, el seguimiento, devolución y evaluación de los avances del proyecto, brindados de manera conjunta por las docentes de ambas cátedras. De esta manera, se pretende avanzar desde esquemas amplios respecto a la temática a investigar para orientar- en un trabajo sostenido- a la delimitación en tiempo, espacio y contenido que revisen confusiones, confrontaciones y dudas en el proceso de conocimiento por parte de los alumnos-profesionales. Ello permitiría generar procesos de reflexión sobre las acciones mencionadas y permitir una retroalimentación para docentes y estudiantes posibilitando desarrollar las asignaturas de una forma diferente, mejorar el proceso educativo y combinar la enseñanza con la investigación convirtiéndose esta última en una estrategia para el aprendizaje.Fil: Calneggia, María Isabel. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Lucchese, Marcela Susana María. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Di Francesco, Adriana Carlota. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; Argentin

Impact of Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit on Incidence of Lower-Extremity Amputations by Diabetic Foot

Diabetis; Diabetic foot ulcer; Lower-extremity amputationsDiabetes; Úlcera del pie diabético; Amputaciones de extremidades inferioresDiabetis; Úlcera del peu diabètic; Amputacions d'extremitats inferiorsBackground: One of the most devastating complications of diabetes is diabetes-related foot disease (DFD), which is a priority for public health systems. The 2016–2020 Catalonia Health Plan aimed to reduce the incidence of total and major lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) due to DFD by 10% in the population aged 45–74 years. The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence of LEA-DFD 5 years before and after the creation of the Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit at our Hospital. Methods: We prospectively collected all cases of LEA-DFD performed at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. Cases of LEA-DFD performed from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of LEA-DFD between these periods was compared. Results: A total of 457 LEAs due to DFD were performed in 316 patients. We observed a reduction of 27.9% [CI: 23.7–32.1%] in the incidence of total LEA in the 2016–2020 period in comparison with the period 2011–2016 (0.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 per 10.000 inhabitants/year, p < 0.001), as well as a reduction of 49.3% [CI: 44.6–53.9%] in the incidence of major LEA-DFD (0.15 ± 0.1 vs. 0.30 ± 0.1 per 10.000 inhabitants/year, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The implementation of a Diabetic Foot Multidisciplinary Unit resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of amputations due to DFD in the population with diabetes in North Barcelona

Evaluación de tres medios de cultivo para la determinación de la calidad del aire de dos ambientes de un hospital público especializado

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el medio de cultivo más efectivo para el crecimiento de bioaerosoles fúngicos en un hospital público especializado.CONACYT - Consejo Nacional de Ciencias y TecnologíaPROCIENCI