Mamá, me quiero ir de este colegio: un análisis de las experiencias de acoso escolar de estudiantes con diversidad funcional

El acoso escolar es un problema de elevada prevalencia en las aulas de nuestras escuelas. Los jóvenes con diversidad funcional constituyen una población especialmente vulnerable cuando se ve envuelta en este tipo de situaciones. En el presente estudio analizamos las experiencias de acoso de cinco jóvenes con diversidad funcional. Para ello, se han llevado a cabo cinco entrevistas semiestructuradas y un grupo de discusión. Los estudiantes relatan haber sufrido situaciones de acoso verbal, físico, social y sexual. El tratamiento de estas situaciones por parte de los centros educativos fue ineficaz y la solución adoptada en todos los casos fue un cambio en la modalidad de escolarización. Estos resultados resaltan la necesidad de llevar a cabo acciones de formación del profesorado y sensibilización en los estudiantes para prevenir y actuar ante situaciones de acoso, especialmente cuando se ven involucrados estudiantes con diversidad funcional

Assessing pH-dependent activities of virulence factors secreted by Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can thrive under adverse conditions including suboptimal pH, nutrient scarcity, and low levels of oxygen. Its pathogenicity is associated with the production of virulence factors such as extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and toxins. This study was aimed at determining the effect of external pH, substrate nature, and strain origin on protease, lipase, and hemolysin production. To achieve this objective, agar plate assays were performed at pH 5.0, 6.5, and 7.5 with substrates suitable for the detection of each family of enzymes. Moreover, the study was conducted with 20 clinical C. albicans isolates from blood, oral cavity, skin, urine, and vagina. The hydrolytic zones formed around the colonies were further measured to calculate the Ez (enzymatic zone) indexes. We found that detection of proteases in skim milk agar plates was possible for most isolates only at pH 5 (80%) and pH 6.5 (75%), whereas BSA plates could confer protease detection exclusively at pH 5 (80%). Similarly, the percentage of isolates possessing lipolytic activities was higher at pH 5 (90%) than at pH 6.5 (70%) and pH 7.5 (35%). In contrast, hemolytic activities were detected in all isolates at pH 6.5 and 7.5 but not at pH 5. Further analysis revealed that some differences in the detected activities could potentially be attributed to the anatomical origin of these isolates. Collectively, these findings suggest that the pH of the site of infection might be critical for mimicking the microenvironment employed to experimentally discover the key virulence factors.The work was supported by IKERBASQUE (Basque Foundation for Science). Elena Eraso, Elena Sevillano, and Guillermo Quindós have received grant support from Consejería de Educación, Universidades e Investigación del Gobierno Vasco (GIC15/78 IT-990-16/IT1607-22), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-117983RB-I00), and UPV/EHU (COLAB19/11)

Fresnel solar cooling plant for buildings: Optimal operation of an absorption chiller through inverse modelling

Increasing comfort conditions in buildings imply higher energy demands. However, these needs can be mitigated by solar cooling solutions. These systems, such as absorption chillers, are complex and require stable operation, with strict control to maximise the solar fraction and minimise gas consumption. This is incompatible with the variability of renewable resources, so they are often coupled with auxiliary gas systems. Although gas-free operation is possible if these systems are optimally controlled, they would require special supervision. This paper aims to develop an experimental validation of an inverse model to manage an absorption chiller coupled with a solar cooling plant. To know its real behaviour, long-term experiments have been performed using this plant, which consists of a linear Fresnel solar collector and an auxiliary natural gas boiler. The inverse model is used as a predictive control tool to decide the auxiliary boiler commands of the absorption chiller to optimise its operation: maximum cooling production by minimising gas consumption and maximising solar contribution. It has been identified with data from two weeks and validated with data from one summer month. Results show that the model estimates, on a time base of fewer than 30 min, are acceptable with errors of less than 5%. In addition, the maximum error of the estimated seasonal COP and the renewable fraction are less than 6% per day. Therefore, the results prove the usefulness of the proposal as a predictive control for optimal operation. Furthermore, it could be used as a baseline for preventive maintenance. If the proposed model is used for optimal management of the absorption chiller, the thermal efficiency of the plant increases significantly, doubling the solar contribution. As a result, the gas consumption of the solar cooling plant is halved and the total cost of air conditioning the building decreases by 16%.Comisión Europea A_B.4.3_02

Adaptative Cover to Achieve Thermal Comfort in Open Spaces of Buildings: Experimental Assessment and Modelling

The global need for healthy and safe open spaces faces continuous temperature rise due to the heat island phenomenon and climate change. This problem requires new strategies for improving the habitability of open spaces (indoor and outdoor conditions in buildings). These techniques include reducing solar radiation, reducing the temperature of surrounding surfaces, and reducing the air temperature. The radiant solutions are essential for outdoor comfort, both in summer and in winter. They are easy to integrate into open spaces. This study explores a new concept of radiant solutions adapted for outdoor spaces. The solution was evaluated in a test cell to obtain its thermal behaviour in different operation conditions. Solutions were optimised for operating in a cooling regimen since it has been identified that the demands for comfort in open spaces in hot climates during the most severe summer months are more pronounced. Experimental results have allowed getting an inverse model to analyse the thermal behaviour of the solution. The inverse model achieved high precision in its estimations. Also, it facilitated knowing the radiant and convective effects. Only the radiant heat flux is relevant in open spaces with a low level of air confinement. Finally, the discussion describes the application of the proposed model. The model allows the replicability of the solution—creating new designs (integration) or evaluating into different operating conditions of the system. This discussion demonstrates the high level of knowledge acquired in the characterisation of the solution studied.e European Commission / European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) UIA03-301-CartujaQanat of Urban Innovative Action (UIA

Current Development of Alternative Treatments for Endothelial Decompensation: Cell-Based Therapy

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Current treatment for corneal endothelial dysfunction consists in the replacement of corneal endothelium by keratoplasty. Owing to the scarcity of donor corneas and the increasing number of transplants, alternative treatments such as cell-based therapies are necessary. In this article, we highlight the biological aspects of the cornea and the corneal endothelium, as well as the context that surrounds the need for new alternatives to conventional keratoplasty. We then review some of those experimental treatments in more detail, focusing on the development of the in vitro and preclinical phases of two cell-based therapies: tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty (TE-EK) and cell injection. In the case of TE-EK graft construction, we analyse the current progress, considering all the requirements it must meet in order to be functional. Moreover, we discuss the inherent drawbacks of endothelial keratoplasties, which TE-EK grafts should overcome in order to make surgical intervention easier and to improve the outcomes of current endothelial keratoplasties. Finally, we analyse the development of preclinical trials and their limitations in terms of performing an optimal functional evaluation of cell-based therapy, and we conclude by discussing early clinical trials in humans.Xunta de Galicia; R2016/036Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2020/55Xunta de Galicia; ED481B 2017/029Xunta de Galicia; ED481A-2019/206Xunta de Galicia; ED481A-2017/280This work was carried out thanks to funding from the Rede Galega de Terapia Celular 2016 (R2016/036) and Grupos con Potencial de Crecemento 2020 (ED431B 2020/55) both from Xunta de Galicia. This work was supported by one postdoctoral and two predoctoral fellowships from the Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) [grant numbers ED481B 2017/029, ED481A-2019/206, and ED481A-2017/280, respectively], as well as by two predoctoral fellowships for research stays from INDITEX-University of A Coruña-2019

Analysis of Cryopreservation Protocols and Their Harmful Effects on the Endothelial Integrity of Human Corneas

[Abstract] Corneal cryopreservation can partially solve the worldwide concern regarding donor cornea shortage for keratoplasties. In this study, human corneas were cryopreserved using two standard cryopreservation protocols that are employed in the Tissue Bank of the Teresa Herrera Hospital (Spain) to store corneas for tectonic keratoplasties (TK protocol) and aortic valves (AV protocol), and two vitrification protocols, VS55 and DP6. Endothelial viability and general corneal state were evaluated to determine the protocol that provides the best results. The potential corneal cryopreservation protocol was studied in detail taking into consideration some cryopreservation-related variables and the endothelial integrity and stroma arrangement of the resulting cryopreserved corneas. TK corneas showed mostly viable endothelial cells, while the others showed few (AV) or none (DP6 and VS55). The corneal structure was well maintained in TK and AV corneas. TK corneas showed endothelial acellular areas surrounded by injured cells and a normal-like stromal fiber arrangement. Cryoprotectant solutions of the TK protocol presented an increasing osmolality and a physiological pH value. Cooling temperature rate of TK protocol was of 1 °C/min to −40 °C and 3 °C/min to −120 °C, and almost all of dimethyl sulfoxide left the tissue after washing. Future studies should be done changing cryopreservation-related variables of the TK protocol to store corneas of optical grade.This research was funded by Xunta de Galicia (grant no. ED431B 2020/55), by Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund; grant nos. ED481A-2019/206 and ED481A-2017/280), and by INDITEX and the University of A Coruña (grant no. 2019)Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2020/55Xunta de Galicia; ED481A-2019/206Xunta de Galicia; ED481A-2017/28

Cell viability assay in corneal endothelium

Resumen del póster publicado en el II Annual Meeting CINBIO abstracts book [Internet], p. 65[Abstract] Introduction: Endothelium is the inner layer of the cornea, which must be viable for transplanting. The limited availability of corneas makes necessary the developing of preservation techniques that allow a long storage without losing endothelial viability.Objectives: Optimization of a cell viability assay in preserved corneas.Methods: One half of an endothelium from a cornea that was storage in hypothermic conditions and an endothelium of a cryopreserved cornea were stained with LIVE/DEAD imaging kit and Hoechst. The other half of endothelium was the negative control. Corneal endothelia were imaged using a fluorescence microscope.Results: Four sort of cells were visualized on both endothelia: viable cells with high esterase activity, intermediate cells with low esterase activity, non-viable cells without esterase activity, and cells only stained by Hoechst. Conclusions: Triple stain is effectiveto detect different sort of cells in endothelium of preserved corneas, included viable cells, depending on their esterase enzymatic activity and on cell and nuclear membrane damage

Memorias de la Cátedra Konrad Adenauer 2006. Propuestas alternativas de desarrollo socioeconómico desde los diferentes sectores

Esta publicación refiere diversas posturas sobre el quehacer socioeconómico de México ante el cambio de gobierno federal en el 2006. Se incluyen las propuestas de las distintas fuerzas políticas y las planteadas por otros actores sociales, notablemente desde los medios empresarial, de organizaciones civiles, de académicos y de trabajadores

A Telehealth-Based Cognitive-Adaptive Training (e-OTCAT) to Prevent Cancer and Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment in Women with Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Many women with breast cancer experience a great number of side effects, such as cognitive impairment, during and after chemotherapy that reduces their quality of life. Currently, research focusing on the use of non-pharmacological, and specifically telehealth interventions to prevent or mitigate them has been insufficient. Methods: This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial aimed at studying the preventive effects of a videoconferenced cognitive-adaptive training (e-OTCAT) program (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04783402). A number of 98 eligible participants will be randomized to one of the following groups: (a) the experimental group receiving the e-OTCAT program during 12 consecutive weeks since the beginning of chemotherapy; and (b) the control group receiving and educational handbook and usual care. The primary outcome will be the cognitive function. Secondary measures will be psychological distress, fatigue, sleep disturbance, quality of life and occupational performance. The time-points for these measures will be placed at baseline, after 12 weeks and six months of post-randomization. Conclusion: This trial may support the inclusion of multidimensional interventions through a telehealth approach in a worldwide growing population suffering from breast cancer, emphasizing the prevention of cognitive impairment as one of the side effects of cancer and its treatments.Spanish Government FPU17/00939 FPU18/03575Instituto de Salud Carlos III FI19/0023