Ventajas e inconvenientes de la asistencia obligatoria a “Fisiología de la Digestión”, una asignatura de posgrado

Objetivos: Los criterios de evaluación actuales deben valorar no solo la adquisición de habilidades cognitivas que facilitan la asimilación progresiva de los contenidos, sino también de competencias específicas para el desarrollo de su formación profesional. Así, en este trabajo se analizan las ventajas e inconvenientes de la asistencia diaria obligatoria con respecto a la asistencia libre, como un criterio de evaluación para la asignatura de Posgrado Fisiología de la Digestión del Máster Universitario de Fisiología y Neurociencia de la Universidad de Sevilla. Material y Métodos: Se han comparado las calificaciones obtenidas por los alumnos de la asignatura de posgrado Fisiología de la Digestión durante dos cursos académicos (cursos 2010-2011, 2011-2012), donde la asistencia a clase fue obligatoria y los siguientes cursos (2012-2013, 2013-2014), donde dejó de tenerse en cuenta este criterio. Resultados y Discusión: Los alumnos con asistencia obligatoria no acudieron más a clase que los alumnos con asistencia libre y presentaron un porcentaje menor de calificaciones con sobresalientes y notables. Además, estos alumnos presentaron alrededor de un 5% de suspensos en comparación a los de asistencia libre, que nunca suspendieron. Finalmente, los alumnos de este último grupo participaron en las actividades de innovación con mayor interés. Conclusiones: En base a estos resultados se puede sugerir que durante los estudios de posgrado, la asistencia obligatoria disminuyó el interés y el rendimiento de los alumnos, mientras que la asistencia libre fomentó la participación en clase y en las actividades de innovación complementarias, mejorando sus calificaciones, por tanto la asistencia obligatoria no es un buen criterio de evaluación para la asignatura Fisiología de la Digestión.Aim: The current evaluation criteria assess not only the acquisition of cognitive skills that facilitate the gradual assimilation of the contents, but also specific responsibilities to develop the professional profile. Therefore, in this study we analyzed advantages and disadvantages of obligatory daily attendance respect to free for the postgraduate subject Physiology of the digestion of the Master Physiology and Neuroscience of the University of Seville. Material and Methods: We compared the scores of students in the postgraduate subject of Physiology of Digestion during two academic courses (courses 2010-2011 and 2011-2012), with obligatory attendance, and the two following courses (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) where this criterion was not evaluated. Results and Discussion: Students with obligatory attendance didn’t attended more to class that their free attendance partners; they even had a lower percentage of maximum qualifications. These students presented about a 5% of failing grades. When attendance was free, students didn’t fail and participated with more interest in innovation activity. Conclusions: According to these results, we could suggest that in postgraduate studies the mandatory attendance decreased the interest and efficiency of students. However, the free attendance promoted participation in class and in complementary innovation activity, and it also improved the qualifications of students. Therefore, mandatory attendance is not a good evaluation criterion for the subject of Physiology of Digestio

Self-learning didactic resources for the teaching of haematology in the faculty of pharmacy at the University of Seville

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es fomentar el autoaprendizaje y la relación profesor-alumno. Esto lo conseguiremos promoviendo el seguimiento continuado del alumno mediante tutorías presenciales y virtuales, y la evaluación de varios temas del programa seleccionados por el profesor para ser abordados por los alumnos. La materia elegida, Hematología, forma parte de la Licenciatura de Farmacia. Este proyecto, dirigido a 400 alumnos, ha pretendido darles las bases metodológicas suficientes para elaborar un trabajo de calidad, mediante el desarrollo escrito de varios temas del programa, concretando la información, distinguiendo lo más importante de cada tema, participando en el desarrollo continuo de la materia, utilizando las tutorías como fuentes de información y mejorando sus calificaciones y autoaprendizaje. Como resultado mas importante a destacar de esta actividad, encontramos un elevado grado de participación por parte de los alumnos, que valoraron muy positivamente la experiencia. Como reflejo de esta satisfacción los resultados académicos mejoraron sustancialmente, hecho constatado al comparar las tasas de rendimiento y éxito respecto a las existentes de manera previa a la implantación de esta actividad de innovación.The main aim of this project is to stimulate the creation of self-learning material and to improve the relationship between teachers and students. This will be achieved through the construction of a lesson of the theoretical program, by the student him- or herself. Part of the Pharmacy Degree course, Haematology, was the chosen subject. This work has been undertaken with 400 students distributed in 4 groups. They received sufficient methodological grounding to produce a high quality work, promoting their expression capacity, along of the realization of a lesson of the program, thus defining information; distinguishing the most important areas in each subject; participating in the continuous development of the material; promoting the tutorship and improving their marks and self-learning. The main result of the innovation show the students’ high level of participation in the activity, which was evaluated as a very positive innovation activity. Furthermore, as the performance rate compared with previous years illustrates, academic results have improved greatly

Aggressive Behavior in School-aged Children: Clusters based on Anger, Empathy and Testosterone and Cortisol Measures

The aim of this piece of research was to study the existence of clusters based on anger, empathy and cortisol and testosterone measures associated with aggressive behavior in school-aged children. The sample group comprised 139 eight-year-old children (80 boys and 59 girls). Aggressive behavior was measured using the Direct and Indirect Aggression Scale. Both psychological and biological variables were used to determine psychobiological profiles. The psychological variables considered were trait anger, measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory for Children and Adolescents, and empathy, measured using the Empathy Quotient-Child Version. Testosterone and cortisol concentrations were measured through saliva samples and analyzed using an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A Cluster Analysis revealed three clusters which were clearly different as regards their psychological and biological characteristics. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the cluster characterized by having higher anger levels, lower empathy levels and higher testosterone and cortisol levels was more aggressive than the other two (p < .0001, η2 = .19). The results indicate that studying psychological and biological variables together may help establish differentiated aggression patterns among children

Cardiac dysfunction and remodeling regulated by anti-angiogenic environment in patients with preeclampsia : the ANGIOCOR prospective cohort study protocol

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are cause of increased morbidity and mortality in spite of advances for diagnosis and treatment. Changes during pregnancy affect importantly the maternal CV system. Pregnant women that develop preeclampsia (PE) have higher risk (up to 4 times) of clinical CVD in the short- and long-term. Predominance of an anti-angiogenic environment during pregnancy is known as main cause of PE, but its relationship with CV complications is still under research. We hypothesize that angiogenic factors are associated to maternal cardiac dysfunction/remodeling and that these may be detected by new cardiac biomarkers and maternal echocardiography. Methods: Prospective cohort study of pregnant women with high-risk of PE in first trimester screening, established diagnosis of PE during gestation, and healthy pregnant women (total intended sample size n = 440). Placental biochemical and biophysical cardiovascular markers will be assessed in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, along with maternal echocardiographic parameters. Fetal cardiac function at third trimester of pregnancy will be also evaluated and correlated with maternal variables. Maternal cardiac function assessment will be determined 12 months after delivery, and correlation with CV and PE risk variables obtained during pregnancy will be evaluated. Discussion: The study will contribute to characterize the relationship between anti-angiogenic environment and maternal CV dysfunction/remodeling, during and after pregnancy, as well as its impact on future CVD risk in patients with PE. The ultimate goal is to improve CV health of women with high-risk or previous PE, and thus, reduce the burden of the disease. Trial registration: NCT04162236

Multicenter prospective clinical study to evaluate children short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital heart disease (children NEURO-HEART) : study protocol

Altres ajuts: RETICS funded by the PN 2018-2021 (Spain).Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital malformation affecting 1 in 100 newborns. While advances in early diagnosis and postnatal management have increased survival in CHD children, worrying long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopmental disability, have emerged as a key prognostic factor in the counseling of these pregnancies. Eligible participants are women presenting at 20 to < 37 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus with CHD. Maternal/neonatal recordings are performed at regular intervals, from the fetal period to 24 months of age, and include: placental and fetal hemodynamics, fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional echocardiography, cerebral oxymetry, electroencephalography and serum neurological and cardiac biomarkers. Neurodevelopmental assessment is planned at 12 months of age using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) and at 24 months of age with the Bayley-III test. Target recruitment is at least 150 cases classified in three groups according to three main severe CHD groups: transposition of great arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction (LVOTO). The results of NEURO-HEART study will provide the most comprehensive knowledge until date of children's neurologic prognosis in CHD and will have the potential for developing future clinical decisive tools and improving preventive strategies in CHD. , on 4th December 2016 (retrospectively registered)

Programa de innovación tecnológica con impacto social

ITESO, A.C

Multicenter prospective clinical study to evaluate children short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital heart disease (children NEURO-HEART): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital malformation affecting 1 in 100 newborns. While advances in early diagnosis and postnatal management have increased survival in CHD children, worrying long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopmental disability, have emerged as a key prognostic factor in the counseling of these pregnancies. METHODS: Eligible participants are women presenting at 20 to < 37 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus with CHD. Maternal/neonatal recordings are performed at regular intervals, from the fetal period to 24 months of age, and include: placental and fetal hemodynamics, fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional echocardiography, cerebral oxymetry, electroencephalography and serum neurological and cardiac biomarkers. Neurodevelopmental assessment is planned at 12 months of age using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) and at 24 months of age with the Bayley-III test. Target recruitment is at least 150 cases classified in three groups according to three main severe CHD groups: transposition of great arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction (LVOTO). DISCUSSION: The results of NEURO-HEART study will provide the most comprehensive knowledge until date of children's neurologic prognosis in CHD and will have the potential for developing future clinical decisive tools and improving preventive strategies in CHD

Circulating Levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 Associate With Risk of Colorectal Cancer Based on Serologic and Mendelian Randomization Analyses

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Human studies examining associations between circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) and colorectal cancer risk have reported inconsistent results. We conducted complementary serologic and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to determine whether alterations in circulating levels of IGF1 or IGFBP3 are associated with colorectal cancer development. METHODS: Serum levels of IGF1 and other proteins were measured in blood samples collected from 397,380 participants from the UK Biobank, from 2006 through 2010. Incident cancer cases and cancer cases recorded first in death certificates were identified through linkage to national cancer and death registries. Complete follow-up was available through March 31, 2016. For the MR analyses, we identified genetic variants associated with circulating levels of IGF1 and IGFBP3. The association of these genetic variants with colorectal cancer was examined with 2-sample MR methods using genome-wide association study consortia data (52,865 cases with colorectal cancer and 46,287 individuals without [controls]) RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 7.1 years, 2665 cases of colorectal cancer were recorded. In a multivariable-adjusted model, circulating level of IGF1 level associated with colorectal cancer risk (hazard ratio per 1 standard deviation increment of IGF1, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.17). Similar associations were found by sex, follow-up time, and tumor subsite. In the MR analyses, a 1 standard deviation increment in IGF1 level, predicted based on genetic factors, was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer risk (odds ratio 1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.12; P = 3.3 × 10-4). Level of IGFBP3, predicted based on genetic factors, was associated with colorectal cancer risk (odds ratio per 1 standard deviation increment, 1.12; 95% CI 1.06-1.18; P = 4.2 × 10-5). Colorectal cancer risk was associated with only 1 variant in IGFBP3 (rs11977526), which also associated with anthropometric traits and circulating level of IGF2. CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of blood samples from almost 400,000 participants in the UK Biobank, we found an association between circulating level of IGF1 and colorectal cancer. Using genetic data from 52,865 cases with colorectal cancer and 46,287 controls, a higher level of IGF1, determined by genetic factors, was associated with colorectal cancer. Further studies are needed to determine how this signaling pathway might contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis

Identification of regulatory variants associated with genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease

Non-coding genetic variants play an important role in driving susceptibility to complex diseases but their characterization remains challenging. Here, we employed a novel approach to interrogate the genetic risk of such polymorphisms in a more systematic way by targeting specific regulatory regions relevant for the phenotype studied. We applied this method to meningococcal disease susceptibility, using the DNA binding pattern of RELA - a NF-kB subunit, master regulator of the response to infection - under bacterial stimuli in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. We designed a custom panel to cover these RELA binding sites and used it for targeted sequencing in cases and controls. Variant calling and association analysis were performed followed by validation of candidate polymorphisms by genotyping in three independent cohorts. We identified two new polymorphisms, rs4823231 and rs11913168, showing signs of association with meningococcal disease susceptibility. In addition, using our genomic data as well as publicly available resources, we found evidences for these SNPs to have potential regulatory effects on ATXN10 and LIF genes respectively. The variants and related candidate genes are relevant for infectious diseases and may have important contribution for meningococcal disease pathology. Finally, we described a novel genetic association approach that could be applied to other phenotypes