Multifunctional Activity of the β-Defensin-2 during Respiratory Infections

Human β-defensin-2 is a small cationic peptide that is part of the innate and adaptive immunity. It is expressed mainly in the epithelium and has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, it has other biological functions. The alteration of the expression of β-defensin-2 in the respiratory epithelium has been associated with the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, rhinitis, etc. The acute respiratory infections caused by viruses are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world; there are few studies and it is necessary to study this peptide to understand its role in the viral pathogenesis. In addition, it also becomes relevant in its potential to take advantage of its properties in the development of alternative therapies that allow the prevention or treatment of viral respiratory infections

Further evidence of the long-term thermospheric density variation using 1U CubeSats

Faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students of the School of Communication and Aerospace Engineering (Polytechnical University of Catalonia) are participating in a series of studies to determine the thermospheric density. These studies involve planning a space mission, designing and constructing small satellites, and performing related data analysis. This article presents a method for determining the thermospheric density and summarises the academic context in which we develop our work. Several studies have reported the existence of a downtrend in thermospheric density, with relative values ranging from –2% to –7% per decade. Although it is well known that solar and geomagnetic activity are the main drivers of the variations of the thermospheric density, this downtrend was reported to be caused by the rise of greenhouse gases. We present an update of this progression, considering the last solar cycle (2009-2021) and using Two-Line Elements sets (TLE) of 1U CubeSats and the spherical satellites ANDE-2. TLEs were used to propagate the orbits numerically using SGP4 (Simplified General Perturbations), and then compute the average density between two consecutive TLEs by integrating the appropriate differential equation. Then, using the NRLMSISE-00 (Picone 2002) and JB2008 (Bowman 2008) atmospheric models, we calculated an average density deviation per year. We built a comprehensive time series of the thermospheric density values, ranging from 1967 to the present. We merged Emmert (2015) thermospheric density data and our results computed both with NRLMSISE-00 and with JB2008. A linear regression on the combined dataset yields a decreasing trend of –5.1% per decade. We also studied the geomagnetic and solar activity to isolate the possible greenhouse gasses effect during the considered period. Our results show a strong correlation between geomagnetic activity and density deviation near the solar minima, and we propose that the cause of the previously reported long-term density deviation could be a poor adjustment of the effects of geomagnetic activity. Finally, we proved that orbital information from small satellites could be efficiently used to assess the evolution of thermospheric density variations. Additional data obtained from future missions (as the one proposed by our group) will eventually allow a better characterisation of the atmospheric density and help disentangle the possible greenhouse gasses effects on its variation

Effectiveness of video-assisted debriefing versus oral debriefing in simulation-based interdisciplinary health professions education: A randomized trial

* Corresponding author at: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18016, Spain. E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Gil-Gutiérrez).Aim We aimed to compare the debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection, anxiety and simulation satisfaction of using oral debriefing versus video-assisted debriefing after a simulated clinical session in an interdisciplinary cohort of health sciences students. Background Debriefing is a reflective process that takes place after a clinical simulation and that can be performed either in a traditional way (oral) or using video-assisted debriefing. Design A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 143 health sciences students (35.7% male, 61.5% female). Methods The simulation scenario was designed to evaluate the procedure for donning and doffing personal protective equipment. Differences in debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection, anxiety and satisfaction were assessed. Results Regarding debriefing experience, significant differences were observed for the category “learning” (34.9 (6.13) vs. 36.7 (3.89); p = 0.039). For simulation assessment, significantly higher scores for all categories were identified in video-assisted debriefing compared with oral debriefing (p<0.001). There were also significant differences between the oral debriefing versus video-assisted debriefing for the overall score of reflection ability (86.97 (10.55) vs. 90.74 (9.67); p=0.028) as well as for the category “reflective communication” (24.72 (3.77) vs 26.04 (4.07); p=0.047). Perceived satisfaction was significantly higher in the video-assisted debriefing group compared with oral debriefing group (p <0.001). For anxiety, no significant differences were observed between debriefing groups. Conclusion Video-assisted debriefing after a simulated clinical session improves debriefing experience, simulation assessment, reflection and simulation satisfaction, but does not increase anxiety compared with oral debriefing among health sciences students.*Funding for open access charge: Univeresidad de Granada/CBUA

Acceleration of the DNA methylation clock among lynch syndrome‑associated mutation carriers

The research leading to these results has received funding from "la Caixa" Foundation (Ref: CAIXA2017/1) for library preparation, sequencing, and employment of research personnel, from The Fundacion Progreso y Salud, Junta de Andalucia, Spain and from DPI2017-84439-R of MINECO, Madrid and FEDER for sequencing and employment of research personnel. Finally, grant ref. A-BIO-470-UGR20 from University of Granada and FEDER has funded article processing charges (APC) and sample processing expenses.Background: DNA methylation (DNAm) age metrics have been widely accepted as an epigenetic biomarker for biological aging and disease. The purpose of this study is to assess whether or not individuals carrying Lynch Syndromeassociated mutations are affected in their rate of biological aging, as measured by the epigenetic clock. Methods: Genome-wide bisulfite DNA sequencing data were generated using DNA from CD4 + T-cells obtained from peripheral blood using 27 patient samples from Lynch syndrome families. Horvath’s DNAm age model based on penalized linear regression was applied to estimate DNAm age from patient samples with distinct clinical and genetic characteristics to investigate cancer mutation-related aging effects. Results: Both Lynch mutation carriers and controls exhibited high variability in their estimated DNAm age, but regression analysis showed steeper slope for the Lynch mutation carriers. Remarkably, six Lynch Syndrome-associated mutation carriers showed a strong correlation to the control group, and two sisters carrying Lynch Syndrome-associated mutations, with no significant difference in lifestyle and similar chronological age, were assigned very different DNAm age. Conclusions: Future studies will be required to explore, in larger patient populations, whether specific epigenetic age acceleration is predictive of time-to-cancer development, treatment response, and survival. Epigenetic clock DNAm metrics may be affected by the presence of cancer mutations in the germline, and thus show promise of potential clinical utility for stratified surveillance strategies based on the relative risk for imminent emergence of tumor lesions in otherwise healthy Lynch Syndrome-associated mutation carriers.La Caixa Foundation CAIXA2017/1Junta de AndaluciaSpanish Government DPI2017-84439-REuropean CommissionUniversity of Granada A-BIO-470-UGR2

Kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption using the Rhodococcus opacus strain

Microbial biomass is considered a renewable and environmentally friendly resource. Thus, the research conducted a kinetic study and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling of the cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) bioadsorption process using the Rhodococcus opacus (RO) strain as a biosorbent. The inactive biomass subjected to 0.1 M NaOH pretreatment was brought into contact with synthetic solutions of Co and Mn. The experimental data for the Co(II) and Mn(II) bioadsorption process were fit to the Langmuir model with kads of 0.65 and 0.11 L.mg-1, respectively. A better statistical fit was also obtained for the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2Co(II) = 0.994 and R2Mn(II) = 0.995), with 72.3% Co(II) and 80% Mn(II) removals during the first 10 min. In addition, a higher affinity of RO for the Co(II) ion was observed, with maximum uptake values of 13.42 mg.g-1; however, a higher adsorption rate was observed for Mn(II) ion (k = 0.21 g.mg-1.min-1 at 318 K). The bioadsorption process was spontaneous and dependent on temperature, being endothermic and irreversible for the Co(II) ion (∆H = 2951.91 J.mol-1) and exothermic and reversible for the Mn(II) ion (∆H = -2974.8 J.mol-1). The kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium modeling allowed to identify the main mechanisms involved in the biosorption process of both metals.Campus San Juan de Luriganch

Tratado de justicia restaurativa. Un enfoque integrador

Esta obra nos presenta a la Justicia Restaurativa desde la configuración del derecho penal y los procesos de la misma en el orden penitenciario, en las comunidades escolares, en la igualdad de género. Realzando así mismo la habiliades del facilitador que habrá de llevarla a cabo, como parte integral de un nuevo paradigma en la formación de recursos humnos que atiendan la inminente necesidad de este tipo de ejercicio y en las redes primarias de apoyo, como elemento restaurativo para las mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica, dónde ha crecido la respuesta de la sociedad para abatir este sector de la violenci

Salidas profesionales y desarrollo de carreras relacionadas con la titulación estudiada

El objetivo de este proyecto es la mejora de la empleabilidad de los alumnos del grado de Comercio. El proyecto consiste en un ciclo de conferencias con directivos que tienen responsabilidades en áreas comerciales de empresas, con el objetivo de que conozcan las posibilidades de trabajo y las competencias y habilidades que se exigen.Depto. de Organización de EmpresasFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesFALSEsubmitte

Long-Term Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn’s Disease Patients: The SUSTAIN Study

Background Large real-world-evidence studies are required to confirm the durability of response, effectiveness, and safety of ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients in real-world clinical practice. Methods A retrospective, multicentre study was conducted in Spain in patients with active CD who had received ≥1 intravenous dose of ustekinumab for ≥6 months. Primary outcome was ustekinumab retention rate; secondary outcomes were to identify predictive factors for drug retention, short-term remission (week 16), loss of response and predictive factors for short-term efficacy and loss of response, and ustekinumab safety. Results A total of 463 patients were included. Mean baseline Harvey-Bradshaw Index was 8.4. A total of 447 (96.5%) patients had received prior biologic therapy, 141 (30.5%) of whom had received ≥3 agents. In addition, 35.2% received concomitant immunosuppressants, and 47.1% had ≥1 abdominal surgery. At week 16, 56% had remission, 70% had response, and 26.1% required dose escalation or intensification; of these, 24.8% did not subsequently reduce dose. After a median follow-up of 15 months, 356 (77%) patients continued treatment. The incidence rate of ustekinumab discontinuation was 18% per patient-year of follow-up. Previous intestinal surgery and concomitant steroid treatment were associated with higher risk of ustekinumab discontinuation, while a maintenance schedule every 12 weeks had a lower risk; neither concomitant immunosuppressants nor the number of previous biologics were associated with ustekinumab discontinuation risk. Fifty adverse events were reported in 39 (8.4%) patients; 4 of them were severe (2 infections, 1 malignancy, and 1 fever). Conclusions Ustekinumab is effective and safe as short- and long-term treatment in a refractory cohort of CD patients in real-world clinical practice

Using Interpretable Machine Learning to Identify Baseline Predictive Factors of Remission and Drug Durability in Crohn’s Disease Patients on Ustekinumab

Ustekinumab has shown efficacy in Crohn's Disease (CD) patients. To identify patient profiles of those who benefit the most from this treatment would help to position this drug in the therapeutic paradigm of CD and generate hypotheses for future trials. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether baseline patient characteristics are predictive of remission and the drug durability of ustekinumab, and whether its positioning with respect to prior use of biologics has a significant effect after correcting for disease severity and phenotype at baseline using interpretable machine learning. Patients' data from SUSTAIN, a retrospective multicenter single-arm cohort study, were used. Disease phenotype, baseline laboratory data, and prior treatment characteristics were documented. Clinical remission was defined as the Harvey Bradshaw Index <= 4 and was tracked longitudinally. Drug durability was defined as the time until a patient discontinued treatment. A total of 439 participants from 60 centers were included and a total of 20 baseline covariates considered. Less exposure to previous biologics had a positive effect on remission, even after controlling for baseline disease severity using a non-linear, additive, multivariable model. Additionally, age, body mass index, and fecal calprotectin at baseline were found to be statistically significant as independent negative risk factors for both remission and drug survival, with further risk factors identified for remission