Study of the different learning environments using secondary education students’ voices: A class, a multiple case study

El propósito de este trabajo es que el alumnado de ESO, en 4 centros de características diversas, a través de sus voces, describa sus entornos, identifiquen ventajas e inconvenientes de cada uno de ellos y áreas de mejora. Basándonos en los trabajos de Peng (2015), Yang, Bezerik-Gerber y Mino (2013), y Castro-Pérez y Morales-Ramirez (2015), los elementos del entorno sobre los que vamos a investigar van a estructurarse en: físico, de enseñanza, de aprendizaje y motivacional. Desarrollaremos un estudio de casos multiple (Stake, 2006) en cada centro educativo. Utilizaremos la metodología de las voces de los estudiantes, por lo que el alumnado actuará como co-investigadores y los instrumentos de recogida de datos serán actividades de aula. Esta metodología se ha usado en otras investigaciones como medio para explorar las prácticas inclusivas y como medio para mejorar los aprendizajes y la enseñanza (Adderley et al., 2015; Ainscow y Kaplan, 2005; Messiou, 2006, 2012, 2014)The purpose of this research is to know through secondary students’ voices of 2nd or 3rd course of 4 High Schools with different characteristics, how they perceive the environments where they work, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and which areas they want to change to improve their learning. According to Peng’s, 2015, Yang, Bezerik-Gerber y Mino’s (2013), and Castro-Pérez y Morales-Ramirez’s (2015) works, the elements of the environment are structured in accordance with 4 aspects: physical, teaching, learning and motivational. We are going to develop multiple case studies (Stake, 2006) in each secondary school. This research also draws on the use of students’ voices. So, learners’ll act as coresearches, and we collect data using activities. Students’ voices have been used in research as a way of exploring and developing inclusive practices in schools. Also, as a means of identifying ways to improve learning and teaching in schools (Ainscow y Kaplan, 2005; Messiou, 2006, 2012, 2014; Adderley et al., 2015

Challenges of distributed leadership: A challenging and complex case study in an urban secondary school

Proyecto titulado “Liderazgo Distribuido en las Escuelas: Alcance y patrones” (REF. EDU 2011-26436); financiado por el Plan Nacional de Investigación, Desarrollo e InvestigaciónEste estudio analiza la configuración y prácticas del liderazgo distribuido en una escuela secundaria urbana. Desarrollamos un estudio de caso durante un curso académico, empleando como instrumentos de recogida de información: entrevistas; observación de reuniones; y hacer “de sombra” del director. El tratamiento metodológico ha sido cualitativo y para los análisis se ha configurado un sistema de categorías. Hallamos un centro muy grande y complejo con un liderazgo distribuido múltiple, apoyado en el equipo técnico de coordinación pedagógica –ETCP- y en los jefes de departamentos. La directora rompe con el estilo del anterior director y tras años en el cargo, trabaja sobre el proceso de la sucesión. Algunos sectores se muestran insatisfechos con el desempeño de la dirección y se producen enfrentamientos entre etapas. A pesar de las dificultades, el género es un elemento importante en el liderazgo; el establecimiento de estructuras de poder se basa mucho en la micropolítica y están logrando mejoras en los rendimientos y en el clima del centroThis study analyses the configuration and leadership strategies in an urban Secondary school. We developed a case study during a whole academic year using as instruments for collecting data: in-depth interviews, meetings observation and principal’s shadowing. We apply a qualitative approach although we use a system of categories. As main results, we consider this is a complex and big school. We identify a multiple distributed leadership which leaned on the pedagogic coordination team and on the heads of departments. The current principal breaks the previous principal’s style and after few years as principal, she decides to work on the succession process. There are unsatisfied groups and confrontations between educative levels happened. In spite of those difficulties, gender is a relevant factor in the development of this leadership approach; the establishment of new power structures is based on micro-politic processes and they are getting improvements in the school’s performances and clim

El turismo sostenible como estrategia de desarrollo local: análisis de los resultados del proyecto “Promoviendo el turismo rural, sostenible y ecoeficiente en el valle de los volcanes, Arequipa"

En la presente investigación, se analizó un estudio de caso de desarrollo local, a través del cual, se identificaron los principales resultados del proyecto “Promoviendo el Turismo Rural, Sostenible y Ecoeficiente del Valle Los Volcanes, Arequipa”, el cual se ejecutó entre el 01 de abril del 2013 al 31 de marzo del 2016, en los distritos de Orcopampa, Chilcaymarca, Andagua, Chachas y Ayo, del Valle Los Volcanes en la provincia de Castilla, Arequipa. Dicho proyecto fue ejecutado por GRUPO GEA y financiado por FONDOEMPLEO en colaboración con la Mancomunidad de Municipalidades del Valle Los Volcanes. El objetivo central fue analizar los resultados de la implementación de los diferentes componentes que el proyecto ha ejecutado para contribuir con el desarrollo local de las comunidades de Valle Los Volcanes. Para lograr dicho objetivo, se recopiló diversas opiniones de los emprendedores, pobladores, estudiantes, autoridades locales y especialistas técnicos que participaron de manera directa e indirecta en las actividades propias del proyecto a través de entrevistas cerradas, semi estructuradas y un taller participativo. Todos los actores coincidieron en que el territorio del Valle Los Volcanes es un atractivo turístico con gran potencial para ser visitado por turistas nacionales y extranjeros, y que se necesita difundir las costumbres, la riqueza geológica y los paisajes. Los hallazgos principales de nuestra investigación muestran que los resultados logrados asociados al desarrollo local son, la afirmación de la identidad local, mejora de la calidad de vida, desarrollo de confianza de los actores, desarrollo de los actores como sujetos activos; y que el turismo rural sostenible contribuye con el desarrollo local. También se han identificado áreas de oportunidad importantes, como la mejora de acceso a la zona, la incorporación de nuevos actores al proyecto que asistan a los pobladores y emprendedores con capacitaciones sobre el turismo, manejo sostenible de los recursos y gestión empresarial.Tesi

One-year, efficacy and safety open label study, with a single injection of a new hyaluronan for knee OA: the SOYA trial

[Abstract] Purpose. To assess the efficacy and safety of a single injection of a new formulation of hyaluronic acid (MPS-HA2%) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis after 12 months’ follow-up. Patients and Methods. Prospective, single-arm, multicentre, open-label, 12-month follow-up study. Patients with Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) 2–3 and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores of ≥40–< 80 mm received a single injection of MPS-HA2%. The primary outcome was the reduction in VAS pain scores from baseline, and the secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the minimum clinically important improvement (MCII), and patient and investigator global assessments (PGA, IGA) measured on 5-point Likert scale. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study for safety purposes. Results. A total of 101 patients (mean age: 68 years; 74% female; and 78% overweight) were included. The mean reduction in pain at 12 months was 37.7%; the total WOMAC score improved by 36.5% and the pain, stiffness and physical function subscores returned improvements of 32.1%, 34.1% and 32.7%, respectively (p=0.0001 with respect to baseline). At 12 months, a statistically significant 62.2% of patients obtained an improvement equal to or greater than the MCII. The mean PGA score at baseline was 2.44 and 1.46 at 12 months (p<0.05), and the mean IGA scores at equivalent timepoints were 2.29 and 1.48 (p<0.05). Fourteen patients received a second injection at the 6-month follow-up visit. Eight patients reported a total of 12 treatment-related adverse events that were local, non-serious and of mild-to-moderate intensity. Conclusion. With just a single intra-articular injection, this not controlled trial suggests that MPS-HA2% is effective 12 months after the procedure in most cases. Patient tolerability and safety were both optimal (NCT03852914)

Aspectos inmunológicos relacionados con la reinfección por SARS COV 2

A finales de 2019 una nueva cepa de coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) ocasiona una notable crisis mundial. Los esfuerzos del personal sanitario se han centrado en conocer la novel enfermedad y buscar la manera de frenar las curvas de contagio para en un futuro contar con inmunidad por vacunas. La inmunidad ante la primoinfección mediada por Linfocitos B ha reportado pérdida de inmunoglobulinas en cuestión de semanas. Estas características en el genotipo de la enfermedad abren la posibilidad de reinfección por cepas distintas. Contados reportes a nivel mundial describen reinfección, los que tuvieron curso clínico leve al determinar algún factor protector luego de la primoinfección. La real posibilidad de volver a enfermarse por COVID-19 enciende las alarmas sobre la respuesta en el control de la pandemia, con las vacunas que están cerca de expenderse y representa un nuevo campo de estudio en la presente emergencia sanitaria.At the end of 2019, a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes a notable global crisis. The efforts of health personnel have focused on learning about the novel disease and finding a way to slow down the contagion curves to have immunity from vaccines in the future. Immunity to primary B lymphocyte-mediated infection has reported the loss of immunoglobulins in a matter of weeks. These characteristics in the genotype of the disease open the possibility of reinfection by different strains. Counted reports worldwide describe reinfection, which had a mild clinical course when determining some protective factor after the primary infection. The real possibility of getting sick again from COVID-19 raises the alarms about the response in the control of the pandemic, with the vaccines that are close to being distributed and represent a new field of study in the current health emergency

Association of Muscular Fitness and Body Fatness with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: The FUPRECOL Study

This study investigated the associations of muscular fitness and various indicators of body fatness with cardio-metabolic risk factors and determined the muscular strength and body fatness thresholds for detecting a high risk of cardio-metabolic dysfunction in young adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1798 collegiate students (61.5% females, mean age 20.5 years). Muscular fitness was determined by using a handgrip strength test and normalized grip strength (NGS = handgrip (kg)/body mass (kg)). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage of fat mass (BF%), fat-mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were also included as body fatness measurements. A high cardio-metabolic risk cluster was derived by assessing triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. Logistic regression models showed that men and women with lower NGS had an increased cardio-metabolic risk odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.9, ρ = 0.006, and OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5, ρ = 0.036, respectively). In both sexes, higher levels of all fatness parameters were also associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk (ρ < 0.001). In both men and women, high FMI had the highest OR for clustered risk (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 8.4, and OR = 7.3, 95% CI 3.4 to 9.7, ρ < 0.001, respectively). Combined analysis showed that unfitness (lower NGS) and high fat had the highest OR for WC and FMI in men and women, respectively (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 2.6 to 11.4, OR = 7.7, 95% CI 2.3 to 15.8, ρ < 0.01). Muscular strength and body fatness are independently and jointly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in young adults, which suggests that both are predictor variables for this.K.G.-R. received a scholarship from Universidad del Rosario, Colombia, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, to complete a Doctorate. This study was part of the project entitled “Body Adiposity Index and Biomarkers of Endothelial and Cardiovascular Health in Adults” and FUPRECOL Study, which was funded by the Center for Studies on Measurement of Physical Activity, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario (Code NºFIUR DN-BG001) and Universidad de Boyacá (Code Nº RECT 60). The funder had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, preparation of the manuscript, or decision to publish

Association of muscular fitness and body fatness with cardiometabolic risk factors: The FUPRECOL study

This study investigated the associations of muscular fitness and various indicators of body fatness with cardio-metabolic risk factors and determined the muscular strength and body fatness thresholds for detecting a high risk of cardio-metabolic dysfunction in young adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1798 collegiate students (61.5% females, mean age 20.5 years). Muscular fitness was determined by using a handgrip strength test and normalized grip strength (NGS = handgrip (kg)/body mass (kg)). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage of fat mass (BF%), fat-mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) were also included as body fatness measurements. A high cardio-metabolic risk cluster was derived by assessing triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. Logistic regression models showed that men and women with lower NGS had an increased cardio-metabolic risk odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.9, p = 0.006, and OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5, p = 0.036, respectively). In both sexes, higher levels of all fatness parameters were also associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk (p less than 0.001). In both men and women, high FMI had the highest OR for clustered risk (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 8.4, and OR = 7.3, 95% CI 3.4 to 9.7, p less than 0.001, respectively). Combined analysis showed that unfitness (lower NGS) and high fat had the highest OR for WC and FMI in men and women, respectively (OR = 5.5, 95% CI 2.6 to 11.4, OR = 7.7, 95% CI 2.3 to 15.8, p less than 0.01). Muscular strength and body fatness are independently and jointly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk in young adults, which suggests that both are predictor variables for this. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Correction : Chaparro et al. Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain: Large-Scale Epidemiological Study. J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 2885

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]

Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain : Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

(1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD-Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)-during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100,000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31-56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery

High Protein Binding and Cidal Activity against Penicillin-Resistant S. pneumoniae: A Cefditoren In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Simulation

BACKGROUND: Although protein binding is a reversible phenomenon, it is assumed that antibacterial activity is exclusively exerted by the free (unbound) fraction of antibiotics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Activity of cefditoren, a highly protein bound 3(rd) generation cephalosporin, over 24h after an oral 400 mg cefditoren-pivoxil bid regimen was studied against six S. pneumoniae strains (penicillin/cefditoren MICs; microg/ml): S1 (0.12/0.25), S2 (0.25/0.25), S3 and S4 (0.5/0.5), S5 (1/0.5) and S6 (4/0.5). A computerized pharmacodynamic simulation with media consisting in 75% human serum and 25% broth (mean albumin concentrations = 4.85+/-0.12 g/dL) was performed. Protein binding was measured. The cumulative percentage of a 24h-period that drug concentrations exceeded the MIC for total (T > MIC) and unbound concentrations (fT > MIC), expressed as percentage of the dosing interval, were determined. Protein binding was 87.1%. Bactericidal activity (> or = 99.9% initial inocula reduction) was obtained against strains S1 and S2 at 24h (T > MIC = 77.6%, fT > MIC = 23.7%). With T > MIC of 61.6% (fT > MIC = 1.7%), reductions against S3 and S4 ranged from 90% to 97% at 12h and 24h; against S5, reduction was 45.1% at 12h and up to 85.0% at 24h; and against S6, reduction was 91.8% at 12h, but due to regrowth of 52.9% at 24h. Cefditoren physiological concentrations exerted antibacterial activity against strains exhibiting MICs of 0.25 and 0.5 microg/ml under protein binding conditions similar to those in humans. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study suggest that, from the pharmacodynamic perspective, the presence of physiological albumin concentrations may not preclude antipneumococcal activity of highly bound cephalosporins as cefditoren