Development of quantitative suspension array assays for six immunoglobulin isotypes and subclasses to multiple Plasmodium falciparum antigens

Background Quantitative suspension arrays are powerful immunoassays to measure antibodies against multiple antigens in large numbers of samples in a short time and using few microliters. To identify antigen targets of immunity for vaccine development against complex microbes like Plasmodium falciparum, such technology allows the characterization of the magnitude and antigenic specificity of Ig isotypes and subclasses that are important for functional responses. However, standardized assays are not widely available. Methods We developed six quantitative suspension array assays to measure IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM and IgE specific to multiple P. falciparum antigens. Secondary and tertiary antibodies, as well as human purified antibodies for standard curves, were tested among several commercially available sources. Positive and negative controls included plasmas from malaria hyper-immune African adults and from malaria-naïve European adults, respectively. Reagents were selected and optimal antibody and test sample dilutions established according to sensitivity, specificity and performance of the standard curves. The variability between replicates and plates was assessed with 30 test samples and controls. Results Assays were able to detect P. falciparum antigen-specific antibodies for all isotypes and subclasses in samples from malaria-exposed individuals, with low background signal in blank wells. Levels detected in malaria-naïve individuals were overall low except for IgM. For the IgG2 and IgE assays, a triple sandwich was required for sensitivity. Standard curves with 5-parameter logistic fit were successfully obtained in all assays. The coefficients of variation for measurements performed in different days were all <30%, and <5% when comparing duplicates from the same plate. Conclusion The isotype/subclass assays developed here were sensitive, specific, reproducible and of adequate quantification dynamic range. They allow performing detailed immuno-profiling to large panels of P. falciparum antigens to address naturally- and vaccine-induced Ig responses and elucidate correlates of malaria protection, and could also be applied to other antigenic panels

Digital communication ethics: new media accountability models and tools

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Accountability of the media as seen by Spanish citizens

This article analyses the opinions of citizens on the core values of the so-called Media accountability: truthfulness, independence, transparency, public participation and respect for peoples’ rights. It also analyses citizens’ perceptions of various deontological instruments to measure the effectiveness of compliance with these ethical values. The qualitative methodology used to carry out this analysis is part of the R+D+I research project “Accountability and Journalistic Cultures project in Spain. Impact and proposal of good practices in the Spanish media” (MediaACES), which has been achieved through six focus groups in different Spanish cities. The results of the analysis reflect the critical spirit of citizens towards the media due to the following factors: the absence of objectivity, the mixture of economic interests with their editorial line and an ambiguous participation of the public, which requires a better definition of their role within the information process. The conclusions derived from this analysis allow us to reflect on several aspects: among others, the competition in a deregulated market leads to infotainment and affects the quality of information, as well as the rights of people affected by the news. At the same time, the excess of information channels leads to greater disinformation, under the appearance of a spontaneous pluralism that is superfluous. Ethics, therefore, seems to be a necessary requirement to differentiate professional journalism from other inappropriate information channels and to guarantee the right to information of citizens.El presente artículo analiza las opiniones de los ciudadanos sobre los valores centrales de la denominada Media Accountability: veracidad, independencia, transparencia, participación del público y respeto a los derechos de las personas. Asimismo, se estudia la percepción de la ciudadanía hacia diversos instrumentos deontológicos para medir la eficacia del cumplimiento de dichos valores éticos. La metodología cualitativa empleada para realizar este análisis, enmarcado en el proyecto I+D+i “Accountability y Culturas Periodísticas en España. Impacto y propuesta de buenas prácticas en los medios de comunicación españoles” (MediaACES), se ha concretado mediante la realización de seis grupos de discusión (focus groups) en diversas ciudades del territorio español. Los resultados reflejan el espíritu crítico de la ciudadanía hacia los medios de comunicación por los siguientes factores: la ausencia de objetividad, la mezcla de intereses económicos con su línea editorial y una ambigua participación del público, que exige definir mejor su rol dentro del proceso informativo. Las conclusiones permiten reflexionar sobre diversos aspectos, entre otros, que la competencia en un mercado desregularizado conduce al infoespectáculo y afecta a la calidad informativa y los derechos de las personas afectadas por las noticias. Asimismo, el exceso de canales de información conduce a una mayor desinformación, bajo la apariencia de un pluralismo espontáneo que resulta superfluo. La ética, por tanto, se antoja como una exigencia necesaria para distinguir el periodismo profesional de otras opciones informativas impropias y garantizar el derecho a la información de los ciudadanos

Cyperus esculentus L. Tubers (Tiger Nuts) Protect Epithelial Barrier Function in Caco-2 Cells Infected by Salmonella Enteritidis and Promote Lactobacillus plantarum Growth

Cyperus esculentus L. tubers (tiger nuts) contain different compounds with several intestinal health-promoting properties. Here, we studied the capacity of tiger nuts from Valencia, Spain, to prevent epithelial barrier function disruption induced by Salmonella enteritidis in Caco-2 cell cultures. Paracellular permeability was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and tight junction protein immunolocalization. Moreover, the effect of tiger nuts on S. enteritidis agglutination, oxidative stress, and Lactobacillus plantarum growth was tested. Compared to controls, tiger nuts partially restored TER in S. enteritidis-infected cultures, an effect confirmed by immunolocalization of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The results also revealed that this protective effect may be associated with the capacity to agglutinate the pathogen, restore TER in TNF -stimulated cultures, and reduce reactive oxygen species in H2O2-stimulated cultures. Moreover, they favor L. plantarum growth. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the tiger nut protects epithelial barrier function by reducing bacterial invasion, along with counteracting TNF and H2O2 effects, thus giving an additional value to this tuber as a potential functional food

Uma visão téorico-prática sobre como os livros didáticos são usados na formação de professores de inglês

Este artigo reflete sobre o papel dos livros didáticos na formação inicial de professores de inglês, com base nas diretrizes da didática tradicional, que considera o livro uma ferramenta essencial para se ensinar uma língua estrangeira.Palavras-chave: Livro Didático; Formação para Ensino de Inglês; Recursos Didáticos

Desarrollo de la ciudadanía intercultural en Sant Quintí de Mediona a través de redes comunitarias

This paper intends to better understand the reality of villages with fewer than 4,000 inhabitants and an immigrant population of over 10%. It based on a case-study carried out in Sant Quint&iacute; de Mediona. From a dynamic model of intercultural citizenship, there is a focus on acceptance and integration processes of immigrants and the enhancement of the optimal conditions for coexistence. The study of these conditions required a diagnostic evaluation to ascertain the nature of the population and of the migration process, initial policies developed for the acceptance of immigrants and the viewpoint of the participants in this process and the provision of entities that make up the community network to be open to the newcomer population. We collected all the information through a documental study, interviews with key informants, focus groups and a survey addressed to existing associations in the target population. From the data analysis, this diagnostic study includes the needs of structural change and of new relations of coexistence and education for the entire population and for specific groups. Once the findings of the search as well as their limitations are submitted, we propose to develop a Plan for Intercultural Citizenship for multicultural populations similar to the one studied, by strengthening community networks.Con este art&iacute;culo, se propone profundizar en la realidad de una localidad de menos de 3.000 habitantes con un porcentaje de poblaci&oacute;n inmigrante extranjera de m&aacute;s del 10%, se trata de un estudio de caso llevado a cabo en Sant Quint&iacute; de Mediona, desde un modelo din&aacute;mico de ciudadan&iacute;a intercultural, incidiendo especialmente en los procesos de acogida y de integraci&oacute;n de la poblaci&oacute;n inmigrante y potenciando unas condiciones &oacute;ptimas para la convivencia. El estudio de estas condiciones ha exigido una evaluaci&oacute;n diagn&oacute;stica para conocer las caracter&iacute;sticas de la poblaci&oacute;n y del proceso migratorio, primeras pol&iacute;ticas desarrolladas para la acogida de la poblaci&oacute;n inmigrante y el punto de vista de los participantes en todo este proceso as&iacute; como la disposici&oacute;n de las entidades que componen la red comunitaria para abrirse a la poblaci&oacute;n reci&eacute;n llegada. Se ha recogido toda esta informaci&oacute;n a trav&eacute;s del estudio documental, entrevistas a informantes claves, grupos de discusi&oacute;n y una encuesta a las entidades existentes en la poblaci&oacute;n seleccionada. Desde el an&aacute;lisis de datos, este estudio diagn&oacute;stico, incluye las necesidades de cambio estructural, de nuevas relaciones de convivencia y de formaci&oacute;n para toda la poblaci&oacute;n y para colectivos determinados. Una vez presentadas las conclusiones, se ofrece una propuesta de desarrollo de un Plan de ciudadan&iacute;a intercultural orientado a la convivencia para poblaciones multiculturales, que puede hacerse extensivo a poblaciones parecidas a la estudiada, contemplando el papel de las redes comunitarias como un elemento b&aacute;sico para su desarrollo

A theoretical-practical view over the way textbooks are used in the training of English teachers

This article reflects on the role textbooks have in the initial training of English teachers, which is based on the guidelines given by the traditional didactics that considers the textbook as an essential tool to teach a foreign language.Keywords: Textbook; English Teaching Training; Didactic Resources

Introducción y presentación

Depto. de Ciencia Política y de la AdministraciónFac. de Ciencias Políticas y SociologíaTRUEpu

Factores que influyen en la pérdida prematura del primer molar permanente en niños de 7 A 13 años de edad de I.E.D Jacqueline Kennedy sede 4, primero de Mayo.

El presente Trabajo de Grado es requisito para optar al título de Odontólogo General de la Universidad del Magdalena, se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo, observacional de corte transversal cuyo propósito es el de determinar los factores que influyen en la pérdida prematura del primer molar permanente en niños de 7 a 13 años de edad de la institución educativa distrital Jacqueline Kennedy sede 4 primero de mayo, jornada de la mañana de Santa Marta. Las variables objeto de estudio fueron sexo, edad, índice de COP e índice de ceo-d, la recolección de datos se realizó a través de 2 instrumentos tomados de investigaciones realizadas por Ros Santana Marcos y cols. En el año 2005 en Bayamo Cuba y Jorge Eduardo Tascón y cols. En el año 2005 en Cali Colombia, además se reforzó con un odontograma el cual utilizado para el banco de pacientes de la clínica odontológica de la Universidad del Magdalena. Santa marta Colombia. El tamaño de la muestra fue de 126 niños de ambos sexos, de los cuales, 46 presentaron pérdida prematura del primer molar permanente siendo el sexo masculino el más afectado y que el molar con mayor prevalencia de pérdida fue el molar inferior izquierdo cuyo factor desencadenante fue la caries y desconocimiento de la importancia del primer molar permanente por parte de los padres