University teachers' self-perception of digital research competencies. A qualitative study conducted in Peru

Previous research warns about the limitations that some university teachers in Ibero-America have in relation to digital research competencies. The objective of this research was to analyze the research competencies from the university teacher's self-perception, contrasted with the classroom evaluation. The study had a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted via the Zoom virtual platform, and recordings (of an average of 4 h each) of classes delivered by 10 teachers with an average age of 58 years old, in charge of scientific research courses at the postgraduate level in Peruvian universities were analyzed. The instruments used included an in-depth interview guide and a checklist. The results show that university teachers perceive themselves as specialists in the area of research, however, they present limitations when transmitting knowledge during the teaching-learning process. There is evidence of a lack of pedagogy, as well as limitations in the use of digital resources and technological tools due to their resistance to change. The conclusions reveal that it is key to make teachers aware of the paradigm shift, with a teaching that includes as digital competencies: knowing how to create and manipulate data, knowing how to use programs and information systems, knowing how to socialize and collaborate in digital environments, knowing how to exercise and respect a digital citizenship, knowing how to manage knowledge assertively, and, as we propose in this paper, knowing how to be a researcher in a digital environment

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Hábitos alimenticios del tiburón piloto Carcharhinus falciformis (Bibron, 1839) en la costa occidental de Baja California Sur.

impreso y digita

Data_Sheet_1_University teachers' self-perception of digital research competencies. A qualitative study conducted in Peru.docx

Previous research warns about the limitations that some university teachers in Ibero-America have in relation to digital research competencies. The objective of this research was to analyze the research competencies from the university teacher's self-perception, contrasted with the classroom evaluation. The study had a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted via the Zoom virtual platform, and recordings (of an average of 4 h each) of classes delivered by 10 teachers with an average age of 58 years old, in charge of scientific research courses at the postgraduate level in Peruvian universities were analyzed. The instruments used included an in-depth interview guide and a checklist. The results show that university teachers perceive themselves as specialists in the area of research, however, they present limitations when transmitting knowledge during the teaching-learning process. There is evidence of a lack of pedagogy, as well as limitations in the use of digital resources and technological tools due to their resistance to change. The conclusions reveal that it is key to make teachers aware of the paradigm shift, with a teaching that includes as digital competencies: knowing how to create and manipulate data, knowing how to use programs and information systems, knowing how to socialize and collaborate in digital environments, knowing how to exercise and respect a digital citizenship, knowing how to manage knowledge assertively, and, as we propose in this paper, knowing how to be a researcher in a digital environment.</p

Nanoformulations with Leishmania braziliensis Antigens Triggered Controlled Parasite Burden in Vaccinated Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) against Visceral Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a widespread vector-borne disease in Brazil, with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum as the primary etiological agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Dogs are considered the main reservoir of this parasite, whose treatment in Brazil is restricted to the use of veterinary medicines, which do not promote a parasitological cure. Therefore, efficient vaccine development is the best approach to Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) control. With this in mind, this study used hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) as an experimental model in an anti-Leishmania preclinical vaccine trial to evaluate the safety, antigenicity, humoral response, and effects on tissue parasite load. Two novel formulations of nanoparticles made from poly(D, L-lactic) acid (PLA) polymer loading Leishmania braziliensis crude antigen (LB) exhibiting two different particle sizes were utilized: LBPSmG (570 nm) and LBPSmP (388 nm). The results showed that the nanoparticles were safe and harmless to hamsters and were antigenic with the induction in LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmG groups of total anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies 30 days after challenge, which persists 200 days in LBSap and LBPSmP. At the same time, a less pronounced hepatosplenomegaly in LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP was found when compared to control groups, as well as a less pronounced inflammatory infiltrate and granuloma formation in the spleen. Furthermore, significant reductions of 84%, 81%, and 90% were observed in spleen parasite burden accessed by qPCR in the LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP groups, respectively. In this way, LBSap, LBPSmG, and LBPSmP formulations showed better results in vaccinated and L. infantum-challenged animals in further reducing parasitic load in the spleen and attenuating lesions in liver and splenic tissues. This results in safe, harmless nanoformulation vaccines with significant immunogenic and infection control potential. In addition, animals vaccinated with LBPSmP had an overall reduction in parasite burden in the spleen, indicating that a smaller nanoparticle could be more efficient in targeting antigen-presenting cells

Vaccination with Formulation of Nanoparticles Loaded with <i>Leishmania amazonensis</i> Antigens Confers Protection against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Hamster

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania infantum for which dogs are the main reservoirs. A vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) could be an important tool in the control of human and CVL by reducing the infection pressure of L. infantum. Despite the CVL vaccine available on the market, the Brazilian Ministry of Health did not implement the use of it in their control programs. In this sense, there is an urgent need to develop more efficient vaccines. In this study, the association between two polymeric nanoformulations, (poly (D, L-lactic) acid (PLA) polymer) loading Leishmania amazonensis antigens, was evaluated as a potential immunobiological agent against VL using golden hamsters as an experimental model. The results indicated that no significant adverse reactions were observed in animals vaccinated with LAPSmP. LAPSmP presented similar levels of total anti-Leishmania IgG as compared to LAPSmG. The LAPSmP and LAPSmG groups showed an intense reduction in liver and spleen parasitic load by qPCR. The LAPSmP and LAPSmG vaccines showed exceptional results, indicating that they may be promising candidates as a VL vaccine