Learning of the economic analysis of inequality through Team-based learning

[spa] Introducción: Esta investigación persigue describir y comparar cómo, a través de una propuesta contextualizada de "Team-based learning" (TBL), varió el conocimiento del análisis económico de la desigualdad (a nivel conceptual y de aplicación de dicho conocimiento) entre estudiantes del Grado de Administración y Dirección de Empresas en la Universidad de Barcelona. Metodología: El estudio, desarrollado durante 2018-2019, contó con una muestra de 318 estudiantes distribuidos en cinco grupos. Los datos fueron recogidos en tres momentos utilizando una prueba inicial individual (Ci), una prueba en clase en equipos (Cg) y una prueba final individual (Pfa). Estos datos fueron analizados cuantitativamente -atendiendo a porcentaje de aprobados y calificaciones promedio- y comparando su evolución global, intragrupal e intergrupal. Resultados: Se dio una clara evolución positiva para el total de la muestra e intragrupalmente entre Ci y Cg, tanto a nivel conceptual como de aplicación del conocimiento. En este sentido, la variación porcentual en la calificación promedio para el total de la muestra fue de un 49,8%, mientras que el porcentaje de aprobados creció cerca de un 30%. En cambio, en términos de aplicación del conocimiento, dicha evolución positiva se revirtió completamente entre Cg y Pfa para el total de la muestra, si bien con sustanciales diferencias intergrupales debido a matices en las actividades planteadas. Conclusión: La propuesta analizada, fruto del trabajo en equipos, contribuyó positivamente al conocimiento conceptual del análisis económico de la desigualdad, evidenciando cómo este favorece el aprendizaje en procesos cognitivos elementales como recordar y comprender. Por otro lado, pese a cierta reversión esperable en los resultados entre Cg y Pfa, las diferencias intergrupales en la aplicación del conocimiento sugieren que, en contraste con lo que en ocasiones apunta la literatura, las actividades de aplicación que realizan los grupos durante el TBL habrían de ser idénticas, no solo comparables.[eng] Introduction: This research seeks to describe and compare how, through a contextualized team-based learning (TBL) design, varied the knowledge about the economic analysis of inequality (conceptually and at a knowledge application level) among students of the Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management at the University of Barcelona. Method: Conducted during 2018-2019, this study was carried out with a sample of 318 students distributed in five groups. Data was collected at three moments using an initial individual questionnaire (Ci), a questionnaire to respond in teams during class time (Cg), and a final individual test (Pfa). Data was quantitatively analyzed–attending to passing percentages and mean grades–and comparing the global, intragroup, and intergroup evolution. Results: We observed a clear positive evolution for the whole sample and for each group between Ci and Cg, both conceptually and in terms of knowledge application. In this sense, percentual variation in mean grades was of 49.8%, while passing percentages grew around 30%. Differently, this positive evolution was completely reverted between Cg and Pfa in knowledge application, although we found substantial intergroup differences, attributable to nuances in the activities proposed. Conclusion: The proposal analyzed, because of teamwork, positively contributed to the conceptual knowledge of the economic analysis of inequality, making evident how teamwork favors learning in relation to elementary cognitive processes such as remembering and understanding. On the other hand, despite a certain expected degree of reversion in results between Cg and Pfa, intergroup differences in knowledge application suggest that, in contrast with what literature in occasions suggests, the activities for knowledge application that groups solve during TBL should be identical, not only comparable

An enhanced method for dynamic characterization of high-power LEDs for visible light communication applications

Visible light communications (VLC) have been proposed for several applications beyond the traditional indoor scenarios, from vehicular to underwater communications. The common element in all these applications is the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in which the forward current that flows through each LED plays a major role. Therefore, knowing the electrical equivalent of the LEDs is a useful tool for the proper design of the VLC systems. Currently, some measurement instruments exist, such as the LCR (inductance, capacitance, and resistance) meters or impedance analyzers to characterize the main parameters of the LEDs. However, these instruments and measurement procedures are subject to satisfying some requirements, such as a minimum value of the input impedance or the maximum forward current. In this work, the LED LXHL-BW02 is used to obtain its equivalent circuit, using different measurement methods and traditional methods of measurement with our proposed method. The equivalent model is implemented on the simulation tool LTSPICE. Our alternative method can be used for determining the electrical equivalent circuit of LEDs subject to high current variations at very high frequencies, in the MHz range, i.e., in an operating range for VLC applications.This research was co-financed by Comunidad de Madrid and the FSE/FEDER Program under grant SINFOTON2-CM (S2018/NMT-4326), the Madrid Government (Comunidad de Madrid) under the Multiannual Agreement with UC3M in the line of “Fostering Young Doctors Research” (GEOVEOLUZ-CM-UC3M), and in the context of the V PRICIT (Regional Programme of Research and Technological Innovation, and the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-109072RB-C31) and under the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) throughthe European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) EXP 00119337/IDI-2019029

Prognostic value of replication errors on chromosomes 2p and 3p in non-small-cell lung cancer

As chromosomes 2p and 3p are frequent targets for genomic instability in lung cancer, we have addressed whether alterations of simple (CA)n DNA repeats occur in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at early stages. We have analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay replication errors (RER) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at microsatellites mapped on chromosomes 2p and 3p in 64 paired tumour-normal DNA samples from consecutively resected stage I, II or IIIA NSCLC. DNA samples were also examined for K-ras and p53 gene mutations by PCR-single-stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and cyclic sequencing, as well as their relationship with clinical outcome. Forty-two of the 64 (66%) NSCLC patients showed RER at single or multiple loci. LOH was detected in 23 tumours (36%). Among patients with stage I disease, the 5-year survival rate was 80% in those whose tumours had no evidence of RER and 26% in those with RER (P = 0.005). No correlation was established between RER phenotype and LOH, K-ras or p53 mutations. RER remained a strong predictive factor (hazard ratio for death, 2.89; 95% confidence interval, 2.23-3.79; P = 0.002) after adjustment for all other evaluated factors, including p53, K-ras, LOH, histological type, tumour differentiation and TNM stage, suggesting that microsatellite instability on chromosomes 2p and 3p may play a role in NSCLC progression through a different pathway from the traditional tumour mechanisms of oncogene activation and/or tumour-suppressor gene inactivation

A CXCR4-targeted nanocarrier achieves highly selective tumor uptake in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma mouse models

Altres ajuts: U COST Action CA 17140 to RM; FIS PI17/01246, RD12/0036/0071 and FIS PI14/00450 to JS; CP15/00163 to MVC; FIS PI15/00272 to EV ; CIBER-BBN [CB06/01/1031 and 4NanoMets to RM ; and VENOM4CANCER to AV. Grant from La Generalitat de Catalunya (PERIS) [SLT002/16/00433 to JSOne-third of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients are refractory to initial treatment or relapse after rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone chemotherapy. In these patients, CXCR4 overexpression (CXCR4+) associates with lower overall and disease-free survival. Nanomedicine pursues active targeting to selectively deliver antitumor agents to cancer cells; a novel approach that promises to revolutionize therapy by dramatically increasing drug concentration in target tumor cells. In this study, we intravenously administered a liganded protein nanocarrier (T22-GFP-H6) targeting CXCR4+ lymphoma cells in mouse models to assess its selectivity as a nanocarrier by measuring its tissue biodistribution in cancer and normal cells. No previous protein-based nanocarrier has been described as specifically targeting lymphoma cells. T22-GFP-H6 achieved a highly selective tumor uptake in a CXCR4+ lymphoma subcutaneous model, as detected by fluorescent emission. We demonstrated that tumor uptake was CXCR4-dependent because pretreatment with AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, significantly reduced tumor uptake. Moreover, in contrast to CXCR4+ subcutaneous models, CXCR4- tumors did not accumulate the nanocarrier. Most importantly, after intravenous injection in a disseminated model, the nanocarrier accumulated and internalized in all clinically relevant organs affected by lymphoma cells with negligible distribution to unaffected tissues. Finally, we obtained antitumor effect without toxicity in a CXCR4+ lymphoma model by administration of T22-DITOX-H6, a nanoparticle incorporating a toxin with the same structure as the nanocarrier. Hence, the use of the T22-GFP-H6 nanocarrier could be a good strategy to load and deliver drugs or toxins to treat specifically CXCR4-mediated refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphom

Synthesis, antileishmanial activity and QSAR studies of 2-chloro- N -arylacetamides

ABSTRACT We describe herein the synthesis and evaluation of the antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis and cytotoxicity to murine macrophages of a series of 2-chloro-N-arylacetamide derivatives. All compounds were active, except one (compound 3). Compound 5 presented the most promising results, showing good antileishmanial activity (CI50=5.39±0.67 µM) and moderate selectivity (SI=6.36), indicating that further development of this class is worthwhile. Preliminary QSAR studies, although not predictive, furnished some insights on the importance of electronic character of aryl substituent to biological activity, as well as an indirect influence of hydrophobicity on activity

Intracellular CXCR4 + cell targeting with T22-empowered protein-only nanoparticles

Cell-targeting peptides or proteins are appealing tools in nanomedicine and innovative medicines because they increase the local drug concentration and reduce potential side effects. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a cell surface marker associated with several severe human pathologies, including colorectal cancer, for which intracellular targeting agents are currently missing. Four different peptides that bind CXCR4 were tested for their ability to internalize a green fluorescent protein-based reporter nanoparticle into CXCR4 + cells. Among them, only the 18 mer peptide T22, an engineered segment derivative of polyphemusin II from the horseshoe crab, efficiently penetrated target cells via a rapid, receptor-specific endosomal route. This resulted in accumulation of the reporter nanoparticle in a fully fluorescent and stable form in the perinuclear region of the target cells, without toxicity either in cell culture or in an in vivo model of metastatic colorectal cancer. Given the urgent demand for targeting agents in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of CXCR4-linked diseases, including colorectal cancer and human immunodeficiency virus infection, T22 appears to be a promising tag for the intracellular delivery of protein drugs, nanoparticles, and imaging agents

Sheltering DNA in self-organizing, protein-only nano-shells as artificial viruses for gene delivery

By recruiting functional domains supporting DNA condensation, cell binding, internalization, endosomal escape and nuclear transport, modular single-chain polypeptides can be tailored to associate with cargo DNA for cell-targeted gene therapy. Recently, an emerging architectonic principle at the nanoscale has permitted tagging protein monomers for self-organization as protein-only nanoparticles. We have studied here the accommodation of plasmid DNA into protein nanoparticles assembled with the synergistic assistance of end terminal poly-arginines (R9) and poly-histidines (H6). Data indicate a virus-like organization of the complexes, in which a DNA core is surrounded by a solvent-exposed protein layer. This finding validates end-terminal cationic peptides as pleiotropic tags in protein building blocks for the mimicry of viral architecture in artificial viruses, representing a promising alternative to the conventional use of viruses and virus-like particles for nanomedicine and gene therapy

In vivo architectonic stability of fully de novo designed protein-only nanoparticles

The fully de novo design of protein building blocks for self-assembling as functional nanoparticles is a challenging task in emerging nanomedicines, which urgently demand novel, versatile, and biologically safe vehicles for imaging, drug delivery, and gene therapy. While the use of viruses and virus-like particles is limited by severe constraints, the generation of protein-only nanocarriers is progressively reachable by the engineering of protein-protein interactions, resulting in self-assembling functional building blocks. In particular, end-terminal cationic peptides drive the organization of structurally diverse protein species as regular nanosized oligomers, offering promise in the rational engineering of protein self-assembling. However, the in vivo stability of these constructs, being a critical issue for their medical applicability, needs to be assessed. We have explored here if the cross-molecular contacts between protein monomers, generated by end-terminal cationic peptides and oligohistidine tags, are stable enough for the resulting nanoparticles to overcome biological barriers in assembled form. The analyses of renal clearance and biodistribution of several tagged modular proteins reveal long-term architectonic stability, allowing systemic circulation and tissue targeting in form of nanoparticulate material. This observation fully supports the value of the engineered of protein building blocks addressed to the biofabrication of smart, robust, and multifunctional nanoparticles with medical applicability that mimic structure and functional capabilities of viral capsids

SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient’s hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO2, neutrophils > 7.5 × 103/µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome