El grafismo: un arte entre escritura y dibujo

El principal propósito del artículo es rebatir las malas concepciones sobre los inicios y la consolidación de la escritura, así como buscar prácticas de grafismo adecuadas que aporten beneficios que puedan acabar generando ideas emprendedoras. El enfoque del grafismo se abarca, tanto desde la escritura en la vertiente lingüística, como desde el dibujo en la vertiente artística. La intervención educativa, como parte empírica de la investigación, mediante metodologías activas e investigación acción, pretende aportar datos de todo el proceso de aprendizaje, tanto por lo que respecta a los aspectos de identificación y análisis, como a los de aplicación e interpretación, hasta los de creación. Este artículo es el resultado de una investigación cualitativa llevada a cabo en la escuela Pericot de Girona durante el periodo de prácticas del Grado de Maestro de Educación Primaria y dentro de la mención de educación artística. Ha contado con los alumnos de segundo de Primaria como muestra y un grupo de seguimiento compuesto por el docente especialista, la tutora de la investigación y el autor del proyecto

Acute toxicity of cerium oxide, titanium oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles using standardized tests

In this study, several standard toxicity tests have been performed on selected inorganic nanoparticles. Acute toxicity tests were selected according to their extensive use in toxicological studies and included phytotoxicity using several seeds, Daphnia magna and a bioluminescent test (Microtox®). All of them have been used in several international regulations as toxicity assays. In the case of nanoparticles (NPs), we have studied those of cerium oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide. Iron oxide NPs are well known and broadly used and were selected because of their low toxicity. Titanium dioxide and cerium oxide NPs are currently being used in several fields such as photocatalysis and medical applications, but their toxicity effects have been scarcely studied. Our results revealed that cerium NPs are extremely toxic in the entire set of tests conducted (inhibition higher than 80% at very low concentrations for the bioluminescence test and LC50 = 0.012 mg/ml of mortality in the assays of D. magna), whereas titanium NPs were practically inert in terms of toxicity (values similar to those of controls). The possible toxicological effect of the solvents necessary to stabilize NPs in liquid medium for the three cases (stabilizers) has been also studied. Only in the germination test (phytotoxicity) of some seeds they showed some detrimental effect to germination. In general, the standardized tests proposed in this study have proved to be very useful in the determination of NPs toxicity when no or few data are available, although further work is necessary in the case of the germination tes

The complex HLA-E-nonapeptide in Behçet disease

Behçet disease; NK cells; Gene associationMalaltia de Behçet; Cèl·lules NK; Associació de gensEnfermedad de Behçet; Células NK; Asociación genéticaIntroduction: The knowledge of the aetiology of Behçet disease (BD), an immune-mediated vasculitis, is limited. HLA-B, mainly HLA-B51, and HLA-A molecules are associated with disease, but the ultimate cause of this association remains obscure. There is evidence that NK cells participate in the etiopathology of BD. NK cells have activator and inhibitor surface receptors, like the KIR and the NKG2 families. Classical HLA-class I molecules (A, B and C) are keys in the activity control of the NK because they are KIR ligands. Most NKG2 receptors bind HLA-E, which presents only nonapeptides derived from the signal peptide of other class-I molecules. Objective: This study investigates the contribution of the pair HLA-E and ligand, nonapeptide derived from the 3-11 sequence of the signal peptides of class I classical molecules, to the susceptibility to BD. Methods: We analyzed the frequency of the HLA-derivated nonapeptide forms in 466 BD patients and 444 controls and an HLA-E functional dimorphism in a subgroup of patients and controls. Results: In B51 negative patients, the frequency of VMAPRTLLL was lower (70.4% versus 80.0% in controls; P=0.006, Pc=0.04, OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.41-0.86), and the frequency of VMAPRTLVL was higher (81.6% versus 71.4% in controls; P=0.004, Pc=0.03, OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.20-2.63). In homozygosity, VMAPRTLLL is protective, and VMAPRTLVL confers risk. The heterozygous condition is neutral. There were no significant differences in the distribution of the HLA-E dimorphism. Discussion: Our results explain the association of BD with diverse HLA-A molecules, reinforce the hypothesis of the involvement of the NK cells in the disease and do not suggest a significant contribution of the HLA-E polymorphism to disease susceptibility.This work was supported by Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII PI16/01373 and PI19/00605), Fondos FEDER and Plan Andaluz de Investigación (CTS-0197)

Actualización en síndrome hemolítico urémico atípico: diagnóstico y tratamiento. Documento de consenso

Trobareu una actualització (2015) d'aquest document a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/99427Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical entity defined as the triad of nonimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure, in which the underlying lesions are mediated by systemic thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Atypical HUS (aHUS) is a sub-type of HUS in which the TMA phenomena are the consequence of decreased regulation of the alternative complement pathway on cell surfaces due to a genetic cause. aHUS is an extremely rare disease that, despite the administration of standard treatment with plasma therapy, often progresses to terminal chronic renal failure with a high associated rate of mortality. In recent years, research has established the key role that the complement system plays in the induction of endothelial damage in patients with aHUS, through the characterisation of multiple mutations and polymorphisms in the genes that code for certain complement factors. Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the terminal fraction of the complement protein, blocking the formation of a cell membrane attack complex. In prospective studies in patients with aHUS, administering eculizumab produces a rapid and sustained interruption in the TMA process, with significant improvements in long-term renal function and an important decrease in the need for dialysis or plasma therapy. In this document, we review and bring up to date the important aspects of this disease, with special emphasis on how recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic processes can modify the treatment of patients with aHUS

Histopathology, microbiology and the inflammatory process associated with Sarcoptes scabiei infection in the Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica

© The Author(s). 2017 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.[EN]Background: Sarcoptic mange has been identified as the most significant infectious disease affecting the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Despite several studies on the effects of mange on ibex, the pathological and clinical picture derived from sarcoptic mange infestation is still poorly understood. To further knowledge of sarcoptic mange pathology, samples from ibex were evaluated from histological, microbiological and serological perspectives. Methods: Samples of skin, non-dermal tissues and blood were collected from 54 ibex (25 experimentally infected, 15 naturally infected and 14 healthy). Skin biopsies were examined at different stages of the disease for quantitative cellular, structural and vascular changes. Sixteen different non-dermal tissues of each ibex were taken for histological study. Acetylcholinesterase and serum amyloid A protein levels were evaluated from blood samples from ibex with different lesional grade. Samples of mangy skin, suppurative lesions and internal organs were characterized microbiologically by culture. Bacterial colonies were identified by a desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system (MALDI TOF/TOF). Results: The histological study of the skin lesions revealed serious acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, rete ridges, spongiotic oedema, serocellular and eosinophilic crusts, exocytosis foci, apoptotic cells and sebaceous gland hyperplasia. The cellular response in the dermis was consistent with type I and type IV hypersensitivity responses. The most prominent histological findings in non-dermal tissues were lymphoid hyperplasia, leukocytosis, congestion and the presence of amyloid deposits. The increase in serum concentrations of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid A protein correlated positively with the establishment of the inflammatory response in mangy skin and the presence of systemic amyloidosis. A wide variety of bacterial agents were isolated and the simultaneous presence of these in mangy skin, lymph nodes and internal organs such as lungs, liver, spleen and kidney was compatible with a septicaemic pattern of infection. Conclusions: The alteration of biomarkers of inflammation and its implication in the pathogenesis of the disease and development of lesions in non-dermal tissues and septicaemic processes are serious conditioners for the survival of the mangy ibex. This severe clinical picture could be an important factor when considering the decision to eliminate animals that exceed a certain disease threshold from a population.SIThis study was funded by MINECO from the Spanish Government (grant numbers CGL2012-40043-C0-01, CGL2012-40043-CO2-02 and CGL2016-80543-P). The authors’ research activities are partially funded by the PAIDI Research Group RNM-118 from Junta de Andalucia. José Espinosa was supported by a PhD Grant (grant number ECC/1402/2013: BES-2013-063931). This study is part of the project "Bases biológicas para la gestión de la sarna sarcóptica en la cabra montés (Capra pyrenaica) de Sierra Nevada"

Creatine Kinase Elevation in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients on Tolvaptan Treatment

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary cause of end-stage kidney disease. Currently, tolvaptan is the only treatment that has proven to delay disease progression. The most notable side effect of this therapy is drug-induced liver injury; however, recently, there have been two reports of creatine kinase (CK) elevation in ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment. We set out to monitor and determine the actual incidence of CK elevation and evaluate its potential association with other clinical factors. Methods: This is an observational retrospective multicenter study performed in rapidly progressive ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment from Barcelona, Spain. Laboratory tests, demographics, treatment dose, and reported symptoms were collected from October 2018 to March 2021. Results: Ninety-five patients initiated tolvaptan treatment during follow-up. The medication had to be discontinued in 31 (32.6%) patients, primarily due to aquaretic effects (12.6%), elevated liver enzymes (8.4%), and symptomatic or persistently elevated CK levels (3.2%). Moreover, a total of 27 (28.4%) patients had elevated CK levels, with most of them being either transient (12.6%), mild and asymptomatic (4.2%), or resolved after dose reduction (3.2%) or temporary discontinuation (2.1%). Conclusion: We pre-sent the largest cohort that has monitored CK levels in a real-life setting, finding them elevated in 28.4% of patients. More research and monitoring will help us understand the clinical implications and the pathophysiological mechanism of CK elevation in this population

Creatine Kinase Elevation in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients on Tolvaptan Treatment

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary cause of end-stage kidney disease. Currently, tolvaptan is the only treatment that has proven to delay disease progression. The most notable side effect of this therapy is drug-induced liver injury; however, recently, there have been two reports of creatine kinase (CK) elevation in ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment. We set out to monitor and determine the actual incidence of CK elevation and evaluate its potential association with other clinical factors. This is an observational retrospective multicenter study performed in rapidly progressive ADPKD patients on tolvaptan treatment from Barcelona, Spain. Laboratory tests, demographics, treatment dose, and reported symptoms were collected from October 2018 to March 2021. Ninety-five patients initiated tolvaptan treatment during follow-up. The medication had to be discontinued in 31 (32.6%) patients, primarily due to aquaretic effects (12.6%), elevated liver enzymes (8.4%), and symptomatic or persistently elevated CK levels (3.2%). Moreover, a total of 27 (28.4%) patients had elevated CK levels, with most of them being either transient (12.6%), mild and asymptomatic (4.2%), or resolved after dose reduction (3.2%) or temporary discontinuation (2.1%). We pre­sent the largest cohort that has monitored CK levels in a real-life setting, finding them elevated in 28.4% of patients. More research and monitoring will help us understand the clinical implications and the pathophysiological mechanism of CK elevation in this population

Diseases of Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is an ecologically and economically relevant medium-sized emblematic mountain ungulate. Diseases participate in the population dynamics of the species as a regulating agent, but can also threaten the conservation and viability of vulnerable population units. Moreover, Iberian ibex can also be a carrier or even a reservoir of pathogens shared with domestic animals and/or humans, being therefore a concern for livestock and public health. The objective of this review is to compile the currently available knowledge on (1) diseases of Iberian ibex, presented according to their relevance on the health and demography of free-ranging populations; (2) diseases subjected to heath surveillance plans; (3) other diseases reported in the species; and (4) diseases with particular relevance in captive Iberian ibex populations. The systematic review of all the information on diseases affecting the species unveils unpublished reports, scientific communications in meetings, and scientific articles, allowing the first comprehensive compilation of Iberian ibex diseases. This review identifies the gaps in knowledge regarding pathogenesis, immune response, diagnostic methods, treatment, and management of diseases in Iberian ibex, providing a base for future research. Moreover, this challenges wildlife and livestock disease and wildlife population managers to assess the priorities and policies currently implemented in Iberian ibex health surveillance and monitoring and disease management

The complex HLA-E-nonapeptide in Behçet disease

Introduction: The knowledge of the aetiology of Behçet disease (BD), an immune-mediated vasculitis, is limited. HLA-B, mainly HLA-B51, and HLA-A molecules are associated with disease, but the ultimate cause of this association remains obscure. There is evidence that NK cells participate in the etiopathology of BD. NK cells have activator and inhibitor surface receptors, like the KIR and the NKG2 families. Classical HLA-class I molecules (A, B and C) are keys in the activity control of the NK because they are KIR ligands. Most NKG2 receptors bind HLA-E, which presents only nonapeptides derived from the signal peptide of other class-I molecules. Objective: This study investigates the contribution of the pair HLA-E and ligand, nonapeptide derived from the 3-11 sequence of the signal peptides of class I classical molecules, to the susceptibility to BD. Methods: We analyzed the frequency of the HLA-derivated nonapeptide forms in 466 BD patients and 444 controls and an HLA-E functional dimorphism in a subgroup of patients and controls. Results: In B51 negative patients, the frequency of VMAPRTLLL was lower (70.4% versus 80.0% in controls; P=0.006, Pc=0.04, OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.41-0.86), and the frequency of VMAPRTLVL was higher (81.6% versus 71.4% in controls; P=0.004, Pc=0.03, OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.20-2.63). In homozygosity, VMAPRTLLL is protective, and VMAPRTLVL confers risk. The heterozygous condition is neutral. There were no significant differences in the distribution of the HLA-E dimorphism. Discussion: Our results explain the association of BD with diverse HLA-A molecules, reinforce the hypothesis of the involvement of the NK cells in the disease and do not suggest a significant contribution of the HLA-E polymorphism to disease susceptibility

Purification of Uranium-based Endohedral Metallofullerenes (EMFs) by Selective Supramolecular Encapsulation and Release

Supramolecular nanocapsule 1⋅(BArF) is able to sequentially and selectively entrap recently discovered U@C and unprecedented ScCU@C, simply by soaking crystals of 1⋅(BArF) in a toluene solution of arc-produced soot. These species, selectively and stepwise absorbed by 1⋅(BArF), are easily released, obtaining highly pure fractions of U@C and ScCU@C in one step. ScCU@C represents the first example of a mixed metal actinide-based endohedral metallofullerene (EMF). Remarkably, the host-guest studies revealed that 1⋅(BArF) is able to discriminate EMFs with the same carbon cage but with different encapsulated cluster and computational studies provide support for these observations