Mensaje y audiencias. El programa Gran Hermano - El sueño de Orwell

Este trabajo analiza el formato televisivo del programa Gran Hermano, emitido entre abril y junio de 2000. La finalidad de esta investigación está relacionada con la detección de los elementos formales que convierten a un espacio en un producto de éxito, así como la respuesta que puede generar en los telespectadores. La vivienda artificial enclavada en las proximidades de Soto del Real (Madrid) se convirtió en una ventana que abría la vida cotidiana del prójimo a la curiosidad de millones de hogares. Este experimento televisivo, que no científico, es la excusa programada por un complejo financiero de cifras y letras que marcó un precedente en la historia de la pequeña pantalla. La filosofía del liberalismo mediático limita en unas reglas donde la intimidad forma parte del mercado. Ahora, la demanda televisiva se vende en un “mercado” orquestado por las emociones.This article analyses the elements from the Big Brother's broadcast, the TV program emited from April to June in Telecinco. The purpose of this research is explaining the key points of these production an their influence over the audience. The artificial house created for this play seems a window where people look their neighbour's life. Big Brother's experience supposes a way from the media's liberalism, because it opens a commercial behaviour that is based in emotions

A Narrative Review about Autism Spectrum Disorders and Exclusion of Gluten and Casein from the Diet

This research received funding from CTS549 group of Psiquiatry and Neurosciences from the University of Granada.Objective: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) appear in the early stages of neurodevelopment, and they remain constant throughout life. Currently, due to limitations in ASDs treatment, alternative approaches, such as nutritional interventions, have frequently been implemented. The aim of this narrative review is to gather the most relevant and updated studies about dietary interventions related to ASDs etiopathogenesis. Results: Our literature search focused on the gluten- and casein-free (GFCF) diet. The literature found shows the inexistence of enough scientific evidence to support a general recommendation of dietary intervention in children with ASD. Protocols and procedures for assessing risk and safety are also needed. Future lines: Prospective and controlled research studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are scarce and needed. In addition, studies considering an assessment of intestinal permeability, bacterial population, enzymatic, and inflammatory gastrointestinal activity are interesting to identify possible responders. Besides brain imaging techniques, genetic tests can also contribute as markers to evaluate the comorbidity of gastrointestinal symptoms.University of Granada CTS54

Low-dose Computed Tomography screening for lung cancer

Publicación que tiene como objetivo conocer la efectividad de la tomografía computarizada de baja dosis de radiación (TCBD) para reducir la mortalidad de cáncer de pulmón en pacientes fumadores con historia de más de 20 paquetes/año o ex-fumadores con menos de 10 años de abstinencia.Publicación que ten como obxectivo coñecer a efectividade da tomografía computarizada de baixa dose de radiación (TCBD) para reducir a mortalidade do cancro de pulmón en pacientes fumadores con historia de máis de 20 paquetes/ano o ex-fumadores con menos de 10 anos de abstinencia

Radiofrequency ablation for Barrett´s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal cancer: a systematic review

En portada aparecen logos de Red Española de Agencias de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias y Prestaciones del SNS, y Ministeriod e Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualda

Analysis of a HVAC zoning control system with an air-to-water heat pump and a ducted fan coil unit in residential buildings

This paper presents an analysis of a thermal zoning system integrated in a Heating, Ventilation and Air- Conditioning (HVAC) system based on an air-to-water heat pump with a ducted fan coil. Zoned systems are based on independently controlling the temperature of each of the zones of a building. When a zone is not occupied or not in demand, the control board sends a control signal to the zone’s motorised damper which interrupts the airflow supply to that room. Although this control system is gaining popularity in the residential sector, the results obtained in terms of thermal comfort and energy consumptions are not evident and should be documented. Besides, the control strategy is based on an algorithm that allows acting on the heat pump, setting the set-point temperature, and on the fan-coil, setting the fan speed. Based on this, it is possible to design an algorithm to optimize the performance of the installation ensuring thermal comfort and achieving energy savings. The thermal zoning and the HVAC control system are modelled and simulated in Trnsys17 for the case of study of a residential dwelling, compared with two different configurations: a non-zoned ducted fan coil and individual fan coils. Important benefits are obtained in the evaluation of thermal comfort, with higher values of PPD in all zones. From the point of view of energy consumption, the influence of the thermal zoning on the performance of the heat pump reports important energy savings. Finally, an economic analysis results in payback periods lower than 4.9 years.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

The human-specific duplicated α7 gene inhibits the ancestral α7, negatively regulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated transmitter release

Gene duplication generates new functions and traits, enabling evolution. Human-specific duplicated genes in particular are primary sources of innovation during our evolution although they have very few known functions. Here we examine the brain function of one of these genes (CHRFAM7A) and its product (dupα7 subunit). This gene results from a partial duplication of the ancestral CHRNA7 gene encoding the α7 subunit that forms the homopentameric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR). The functions of α7-nAChR in the brain are well defined, including the modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity underlying normal attention, cognition, learning, and memory processes. However, the role of the dupα7 subunit remains unexplored at the neuronal level. Here, we characterize that role by combining immunoblotting, quantitative RT-PCR and FRET techniques with functional assays of α7-nAChR activity using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell variants with different dupα7 expression levels. Our findings reveal a physical interaction between dupα7 and α7 subunits in fluorescent protein-tagged dupα7/α7 transfected cells that negatively affects normal α7-nAChR activity. Specifically, in both single cells and cell populations, the [Ca2+]i signal and the exocytotic response induced by selective stimulation of α7-nAChR were either significantly inhibited by stable dupα7 overexpression or augmented after silencing dupα7 gene expression with specific siRNAs. These findings identify a new role for the dupα7 subunit as a negative regulator of α7-nAChR-mediated control of exocytotic neurotransmitter release. If this effect is excessive, it would result in an impaired synaptic transmission that could underlie the neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders associated with α7-nAChR dysfunction.Ministerio de Economía Españ

Influencia del sistema de control zonificado en la combinación de un suelo radiante refrescante con un fancoil de conductos

La aerotermia está siendo promovida como solución en el sector residencial tanto para la producción de agua caliente sanitaria como para la climatización con instalaciones con agua, reemplazando a la energía solar térmica y los equipos de expansión directa. Este estudio presenta el análisis, desde el punto de vista del confort térmico y el consumo de energía, de un sistema de control zonificado aplicado a una instalación de suelo radiante y fancoil de conductos, comparado con un sistema de suelo radiante y fancoils individuales. El sistema de control incluye el uso eficiente combinado de ambas unidades terminales. La capacidad de refrigeración del suelo refrescante está limitada y en climas cálidos es necesario el uso del fancoil para asegurar el confort térmico y combatir la carga latente de la zona. El sistema se ha modelado en Trnsys17 y el caso de estudio se ha aplicado a una vivienda residencial y en diferentes zonas climáticas

Rescue of neurogenesis and age-associated cognitive decline in SAMP8 mouse: Role of transforming growth factor-alpha

Neuropathological aging is associated with memory impairment and cognitive decline, affecting several brain areas including the neurogenic niche of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG). In the healthy brain, homeostatic mechanisms regulate neurogenesis within the DG to facilitate the continuous generation of neurons from neural stem cells (NSC). Nevertheless, aging reduces the number of activated neural stem cells and diminishes the number of newly generated neurons. Strategies that promote neurogenesis in the DG may improve cognitive performance in the elderly resulting in the development of treatments to prevent the progression of neurological disorders in the aged population. Our work is aimed at discovering targeting molecules to be used in the design of pharmacological agents that prevent the neurological effects of brain aging. We study the effect of age on hippocampal neurogenesis using the SAMP8 mouse as a model of neuropathological aging. We show that in 6-month-old SAMP8 mice, episodic and spatial memory are impaired; concomitantly, the generation of neuroblasts and neurons is reduced and the generation of astrocytes is increased in this model. The novelty of our work resides in the fact that treatment of SAMP8 mice with a transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFα) targeting molecule prevents the observed defects, positively regulating neurogenesis and improving cognitive performance. This compound facilitates the release of TGFα in vitro and in vivo and activates signaling pathways initiated by this growth factor. We conclude that compounds of this kind that stimulate neurogenesis may be useful to counteract the neurological effects of pathological aging.19 página

Successful development and clinical translation of a novel anterior lamellar artificial cornea

We thank the Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health, through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies, for assuming the roles and responsibilities of sponsoring this clinical trial. We thank Dr. Manuel de la Rosa and Dr. Salvador Arias Santiago for providing insight and expertise that assisted the research.The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public repository, ref. GSE86584 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE86584Blindness due to corneal diseases is a common pathology affecting up to 23 million individuals worldwide. The tissue‐engineered anterior human cornea, which is currently being tested in a Phase I/II clinical trial to treat severe corneal trophic ulcers with preliminary good feasibility and safety results. This bioartificial cornea is based on a nanostructured fibrin–agarose biomaterial containing human allogeneic stromal keratocytes and cornea epithelial cells, mimicking the human native anterior cornea in terms of optical, mechanical, and biological behavior. This product is manufactured as a clinical‐grade tissue engineering product, fulfilling European requirements and regulations. The clinical translation process included several phases: an initial in vitro and in vivo preclinical research plan, including preclinical advice from the Spanish Medicines Agency followed by additional preclinical development, the adaptation of the biofabrication protocols to a good manufacturing practice manufacturing process, including all quality controls required, and the design of an advanced therapy clinical trial. The experimental development and successful translation of advanced therapy medicinal products for clinical application has to overcome many obstacles, especially when undertaken by academia or SMEs. We expect that our experience and research strategy may help future researchers to efficiently transfer their preclinical results into the clinical settings.This study was supported by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (I + D + I) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Carlos III Institute of Health), grants FIS PI14/0955 and FIS PI17/0391 (both cofinanced by ERDF‐FEDER, European Union); by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equity, grant EC10‐285; and by preclinical research funds from the Regional Ministry of Health through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies