El ambiente de clase virtual y el discurso multimodal en la producción de argumentos científicos escolares: el caso de la vacunación

El Multimodality allows a comprehensive analysis of the languages ​​and semiotic resources that constitute discursive interaction. In science classes, meanings are constructed through the discursive orchestration that intervenes in the school scientific argumentation process, favored by an appropriate class environment. This work analyzes the characteristics of synchronous virtual class environments framed in educational isolation during the pandemic. The influence of multimodal discourse on argumentative processes is identified in the development of a didactic sequence related to a socio-scientific problem: vaccination. The objective is to recognize the elements of multimodal discourse and learning by promoting school scientific argumentation in virtual classroom environments. The methodology is descriptive-interpretive. The data was obtained from the recording  El Multimodality allows a comprehensive analysis of the languages ​​and semiotic resources that constitute discursive interaction. In science classes, meanings are constructed through the discursive orchestration that intervenes in the school scientific argumentation process, favored by an appropriate class environment. This work analyzes the characteristics of synchronous virtual class environments framed in educational isolation during the pandemic. The influence of multimodal discourse on argumentative processes is identified in the development of a didactic sequence related to a socio-scientific problem: vaccination. The objective is to recognize the elements of multimodal discourse and learning by promoting school scientific argumentation in virtual classroom environments. The methodology is descriptive-interpretive. The data was obtained from the recording of non-face-to-face synchronous classes, interviews with the teacher and student productions. They were examined by using the content analysis technique (Bardín, 2002). As a result, we identified the influence of digital communication media in the segments of significance: vaccination, immune system and argumentative structure that contain a central concept of the didactic sequence and where a semiotic plot is recognized (Pedrol et al, 2020).    La multimodalidad permite hacer un análisis integral de los lenguajes y recursos semióticos que constituyen la interacción discursiva. En las clases de ciencias se construyen significados a través de la orquestación discursiva que interviene en el proceso de argumentación científica escolar, favorecido por un ambiente de clase adecuado. En este trabajo se analizan las características de los ambientes de clases virtuales sincrónicas enmarcadas en el aislamiento educativo durante la pandemia. Se identifica la influencia del discurso multimodal en los procesos argumentativos en el desarrollo de una secuencia didáctica relacionada con una problemática socio científica: la vacunación. El objetivo es reconocer los elementos del discurso multimodal y los aprendizajes que promueven la argumentación científica escolar en ambientes de clases virtuales. La metodología es descriptiva-interpretativa. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir de la grabación de las clases sincrónicas no presenciales, entrevistas a la docente y producciones de los alumnos. Los mismos fueron tratados mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido (Bardín, 2002). Como resultado identificamos la influencia de medios comunicacionales digitales en los segmentos de significatividad: vacunación, sistema inmunológico y estructura argumentativa que contienen un concepto central de la secuencia didáctica y donde se reconoce una trama semiótica (Pedrol et al, 2020)

Modulation of microRNome by Human Cytomegalovirus and Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Possible Significance in the Induction of Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) have been reportedly suggested as triggers of the onset and/or progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a severe autoimmune disorder characterized by multi-organ fibrosis. The etiology and pathogenesis of SSc are still largely unknown but virological and immunological observations support a role for these beta-herpesviruses, and we recently observed a direct impact of HCMV and HHV-6 infection on the expression of cell factors associated with fibrosis at the cell level. Since miRNA expression has been found profoundly deregulated at the tissue level, here we aimed to investigate the impact on cell microRNome (miRNome) of HCMV and HHV-6 infection in in vitro infected primary human dermal fibroblasts, which represent one of the main SSc target cells. The analysis, performed by Taqman arrays detecting and quantifying 754 microRNAs (miRNAs), showed that both herpesviruses significantly modulated miRNA expression in infected cells, with evident early and late effects and deep modulation (>10 fold) of >40 miRNAs at each time post infection, including those previously recognized for their key function in fibrosis. The correlation between these in vitro results with in vivo observations is strongly suggestive of a role of HCMV and/or HHV-6 in the multistep pathogenesis of fibrosis in SSc and in the induction of fibrosis-signaling pathways finally leading to tissue fibrosis. The identification of specific miRNAs may open the way to their use as biomarkers for SSc diagnosis, assessment of disease progression and possible antifibrotic therapies

Argumentación multimodal en la enseñanza de la fisicoquímica. Controversia sobre el uso de protectores solares nanoparticulados

El objetivo del trabajo es reconocer los elementos del discurso multimodal en las clases y en los aprendizajes durante la forma-ción de alumnos de tercer año de la escuela secundaria. La metodología es descriptivo-interpretativa. Se aplicó una secuencia didáctica con las controversias sobre la acción de los protectores nanoparticulados y sus efectos sobre el ambiente. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir de las filmaciones de clases, entrevistas, WhatsApp y producciones de los alumnos. Se realizó análisis de contenido sobre los datos. Como resultado identificamos la cooperación entre medios comunicacionales digitales y tradicionales. Se logró un desarrollo de diseños experimentales en forma conjunta con los alumnos, a través del cual se construyeron algunas de las evidencias utilizadas en los argumentos. También tramas semióticas gestuales corporales y orales que cooperan o se especializan en los diferentes segmentos de significatividad identificados. Los medios digitales generan el aula extendida. Como aprendizajes, se produjeron argumentos científicamente válidos

Los ambientes de clase y su influencia sobre el proceso de argumentación científica escolar

Se presentan resultados preliminares de un proyecto de investigación que busca relevar el tipo y calidad de competencias argumentativas en alumnos de la asignatura Metodología y Proyecto de Investigación (17/18 años). Se indagan las producciones orales y escritas del grupo clase desde el punto de vista de sus recursos argumentativos. Para ello, se diseñan ambientes de aprendizaje proclives a la argumentación científica, sustentados en un modelo de autorregulación de los aprendizajes. Se lleva adelante un tratamiento didáctico durante 8 clases de 2 horas, promoviendo el trabajo cooperativo y el desarrollo de intereses a partir del análisis de controversias sociocientíficas en un contexto CTS de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Se emplea una matriz de datos incluyendo las dimensiones consideradas en relación con los modelos empleados (argumentativo y de autorregulación), que conforman, según nuestro criterio, un ambiente que favorece la adquisición de las competencias buscadas. Las dimensiones tomadas son el escenario espacio temporal; el escenario de interacciones; los propósitos docentes y las expectativas de los alumnos. Los resultados aún parciales revelan que nuestra hipótesis de que las preguntas gestan un tipo de clima de aula y acciones cognitivas proclives a la argumentación es real.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

La educación en ciencias de la naturaleza en la Argentina: su desarrollo histórico en el contexto latinoamericano

Este trabajo recupera los orígenes y el desarrollo de la didáctica de las ciencias en la Argentina, dentro del contexto latinoameri-cano, hasta la década del noventa del siglo pasado, con atención a la aplicación de políticas públicas vinculadas a la educación científica, según los modelos didácticos predominantes en cada época. Recurre a un relato de tipo historiográfico de fuente primaria, mediante una serie de entrevistas realizadas a un actor central desde los inicios de los programas de enseñanza de las ciencias en nuestro país. El resultado de las entrevistas se complementó con documentos escritos, fotografías, materiales curri-culares, memorias de congresos, revistas, material fílmico, entre otros, según la metodología conocida como ‘historias de vida’. Con la intención de enriquecer el desarrollo de la enseñanza de las ciencias, se pretende aportar a la revisión, al análisis y a la mejora de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje en la formación, inicial y permanente, del profesorado de ciencias de la naturaleza

Characterization of Clostridioides difficile Strains from an Outbreak Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

The epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has changed over the last two decades, due to the emergence of C. difficile strains with clinical relevance and responsible for nosocomial outbreaks with severe outcomes. This study reports an outbreak occurred in a Long-term Care Unit from February to March 2022 and tracked by using a Matrix-Assisted Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) typing approach (T-MALDI); subsequently, a characterization of the toxigenic and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the C. difficile isolates was performed. A total of 143 faecal samples belonging to 112 patients was evaluated and C. difficile DNA was detected in 51 samples (46 patients). Twenty-nine C. difficile isolates were obtained, and three different clusters were revealed by T-MALDI. The most representative cluster accounted 22 strains and was considered to be epidemic, in agreement with PCR-Ribotyping. Such epidemic strains were susceptible to vancomycin (MIC <= 0.5 mg/mL) and metronidazole (MIC <= 1 mg/mL), but not to moxifloxacin (MIC > 32 mg/mL). Moreover, they produced only the Toxin A and, additionally, the binary toxin. To our knowledge, this is the first reported outbreak referable to a tcdA+/tcdB-/cdt+ genotypic profile. In light of these results, T-MALDI is a valid and rapid approach for discovering and tracking outbreaks

Aspirin responsiveness safely lowers perioperative cardiovascular risk

IntroductionVascular surgeries are related to high cardiac morbidity and mortality, and the maintenance of aspirin in the perioperative period has a protective effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative platelet aggregability and perioperative cardiovascular (CV) events.MethodsA preoperative platelet aggregation test was performed on an impedance aggregometer in response to collagen and to arachidonic acid (AA) for 191 vascular surgery patients under chronic use of aspirin. We analyzed the following CV events: acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, isolated troponin elevation, acute ischemic stroke, reoperation, and cardiac death. Hemorrhagic events were also evaluated and classified according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction criteria.ResultsThe incidence of CV events was 22% (n = 42). Higher platelet response to AA was associated with CV events, so that patients in the fourth quartile (higher than 11Ω) had almost twice the incidence of CV events when compared with the three lower quartiles: 35% vs 19%; P = .025. The independent predictors of CV events were hemodynamic instability during anesthesia (odds ratio [OR], 4.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87-9.06; P < .001), dyslipidemia (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.32-11.51; P = .014), preoperative anemia (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.19-5.85; P = .017), and AA platelet aggregability in the upper quartile (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.07-5.76; P = .034). Platelet aggregability was not associated with hemorrhagic events, even when we compared the lowest quartile of AA platelet aggregability (0-1.00 Ω) with the three upper quartiles (>1.00 Ω; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.43-1.37; P = .377).ConclusionsThe degree of aspirin effect on platelet aggregability maybe important in the management of perioperative CV morbidity, without increment in the bleeding toll

Pleural tuberculosis: medical thoracoscopy greatly increases the diagnostic accuracy

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a standardised work-up in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (TB) that included fibreoptic bronchoscopy and medical thoracoscopy. A consecutive series of 52 pleural TB patients observed during the period 2001-2015 was evaluated retrospectively. 20 females, mean (range) age 39.7 (18-74) years, and 32 males, mean (range) age 45.75 (21-83) years, were included (28 non-EU citizens (53.8%)). The diagnosis of TB infections was established by identification (using stains, culture or molecular tests) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the pleura, sputum and/or bronchial specimens, or by evidence of caseous granulomas on pleural biopsies. Patients with and without lung lesions were considered separately. The diagnostic yield of the microbiological tests on pleural fluid was 17.3% (nine out of 52 patients). Among the 18 patients with lung lesions, bronchial samples (washing, lavage or biopsy) were positive in 50% of cases (nine patients). Cultures of pleural biopsies were positive in 63% of cases (29 out of 46 patients); pleural histology was relevant in all patients. Without pleural biopsy, a diagnosis would have been reached in 15 out of 52 patients (28.6%) and in four of them only following culture at 30-40 days. An integrated diagnostic work-up that includes all the diagnostic methods of interventional pulmonology is required for a diagnosis of pleural TB. In the majority of patients, a diagnosis can be reached only with pleural biopsy

Impact of cardiology referral: clinical outcomes and factors associated with physicians' adherence to recommendations

OBJECTIVES: Cardiology referral is common for patients admitted for non-cardiac diseases. Recommendations from cardiologists may involve complex and aggressive treatments that could be ignored or denied by other physicians. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients who were given recommendations during cardiology referrals and to examine the clinical outcomes of patients who did not follow the recommendations. METHODS: We enrolled 589 consecutive patients who received in-hospital cardiology consultations. Data on recommendations, implementation of suggestions and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Regarding adherence of the referring service to the recommendations, 77% of patients were classified in the adherence group and 23% were classified in the non-adherence group. Membership in the non-adherence group (

Active surveillance for carbapenemaseproducing Klebsiella pneumoniae and correlation with infection in subjects attending an Italian tertiary-care hospital: a 7-year retrospective study

Objectives The distribution of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) phenotypes and genotypes in samples collected during 2011–2018 was evaluated. The association between patients with CPKP-positive rectal swab and those with CPKP infection, as well as the overall analysis of CPKP-infected patients, was performed. Setting The study was performed in a tertiary-care hospital located in Northern Italy. Participants Two groups were considered: 22 939 ‘atrisk’ patients submitted to active surveillance for CPKP detection in rectal swabs/stools and 1094 CPKP-infected patients in which CPKP was detected in samples other than rectal swabs. Results CPKP-positive rectal swabs were detected in 5% (1150/22 939). A CPKP infection was revealed in 3.1% (719/22 939) of patients: 582 with CPKP-positive rectal swab (50.6% of the 1150 CPKP-positive rectal swabs) and 137 with CPKP-negative rectal swab. The 49.4% (568/1150) of the patients with CPKP-positive rectal swab were carriers. The overall frequency of CPKP-positive patients (carriers and infected) was almost constant from 2012 to 2016 (excluding the 2015 peak) and then increased in 2017–2018. blaKPC was predominant followed by blaVIM. No difference was observed in the frequency of CPKP-positive rectal swab patients among the different material groups. Among the targeted carbapenemase genes, blaVIM was more significantly detected from urine than from other samples. Conclusions The high prevalence of carriers without evidence of infection, representing a potential reservoir of CPKP, suggests to maintain the guard about this problem, emphasising the importance of active surveillance for timely detection and separation of carriers, activation of contact precautions and antibiotic treatment guidance on suspicion of infection