Promoting Enquiry Skills in Trainee Teachers within the Context of the University Ecological Garden

One of the objectives of science teaching and learning is to achieve quality science education, which involves improving initial teacher training. The use of methodologies that promote learning in science, such as the enquiry-based learning strategy, are encouraged. It is also necessary to provide appropriate contexts that give meaning to the investigation conducted, and arouse the students’ interest. The purpose of this study is to identify the skills related to the enquiry competency that future pre-school teachers acquire after carrying out investigations using the University Ecological Garden as a context. To undertake this study, a non-experimental quantitative methodology was developed based on the application of two instruments: the New Practical Test Assessment Inventory (NPTAI), based on the Practical Test Assessment Inventory, and the trainee teachers’ Enquiry Competency Level (ECL), adapted for the present work. Thirty-seven group reports were analysed and recoded to establish five levels of enquiry competency. A predominance of students with a high level of enquiry competency as opposed to "pre-scientific" and "unscientific" lower levels was observed. The results allowed us to explore the role of the teacher in the monitoring process during the strategy, the context used, and the main difficulties encountered in the implementation of the strategy

Prefrontal cortex activity patterns during taste neophobia habituation in adult and aged rats

Age-related memory decline has been associated with changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) function. In order to explore the role of mPFC in taste recognition memory, we have assessed mPFC c-Fos immunoreactivity in adult (5-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male Wistar rats during the first (Novel), second (Familiar I), and sixth (Familiar II) exposure to a cider vinegar solution. Adult brains showed higher c-Fos expression in the ventral but not the dorsal region of mPFC during the second taste exposure. Interestingly, old brains exhibited an altered activity pattern selectively in the dorsal peduncular cortex (DP) which can be associated with a delayed attenuation of vinegar neophobia in this group. These results support the involvement of this area in the formation of safe taste memory. Further research is needed for understanding the role of DP in taste recognition memory and the impact of aging on it

Differential activity pattern of c-Fos in the nucleus accumbens between adult and aged rats during flavor recognition memory

Previous studies have addressed the role of the nucleus accumbens core (NAcbC) and shell (NAcbSh) in taste aversion learning and in the processing of taste palatability which is affected by aging. However, little is known about its implication in safe taste memory and the aging impact. To explore the role of the NAcb in flavor neophobia and its attenuation during aging, we applied c-Fos immunohistochemistry as an index of neural activity of the NAcbC and NAcbSh. Twenty one adult (5-month-old) and 24 aged (24-month-old) male Wistar rats were exposed to a 3% cider vinegar solution for 1, 2 or 6 consecutive days (n = 7 adult and n = 8 aged rats per group). Aged rats exhibited slower attenuation of flavor neophobia than adult rats. Adult rats showed increased NAcbSh c-Fos activity on day 2 compared to days 1 and 6, while this increase was delayed to day 6 in aged rats. There were no differences in the number of NAcbC c-Fos positive cells. This suggests that changes in the activity of neural circuits of palatability processing during normal aging could contribute to the slower attenuation of flavor neophobia in aged rats.PSI2014-57643-P, PSI2017-86381-P (MINECO. Spain) FPU14/01531 (predoctoral fellowship to A.B. Grau-Perales by MECD, Spain)

Increased N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Expression in Amygdala and Perirhinal Cortex during Habituation of Taste Neophobia

Interactions between GluR2 and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) mediate AMPA receptors trafficking. This might be linked with molecular mechanisms related with memory formation. Previous research has shown basolateral amygdala (BLA) dependent activity changes in the perirhinal cortex (PRh) during the formation of taste memory. In the present experiments we investigate both the behavioral performance and the expression profile of NSF and GluR2 genes in several brain areas, including PRh, BLA, and hippocampus. Twenty-one naive male Wistar rats were exposed to a saccharin solution (0.4%) during the first (novel), the second (Familiar I), and the sixth presentation (Familiar II). Total RNA was extracted and gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) using TaqMan gene expression assays. In addition the expression of the synaptic plasticity related immediate early genes, Homer 1 and Narp, was also assessed. We have found increased expression of NSF gene in BLA and PRh in Group Familiar I in comparison with Familiar II. No changes in the expression of GluR2, Homer 1, and Narp genes were found. The results suggest the relevance of a potential network in the temporal lobe for taste recognition memory and open new possibilities for understanding the molecular mechanisms mediating the impact of sensory experience on brain circuit function.This research was supported by Grants PSI2011-23702 and PSI2014-57643-P (MINECO, Spain) and FPI fellowship to B. Gómez-Chacón (MINECO, Spain)

Flavor recognition memory related activity of the posterior piriform cortex in adult and aged rats

The relationship between the piriform cortex and flavor recognition memory was investigated in adult and aged rats. By using c-Fos immunohistochemistry, we assessed the piriform cortex activity induced by flavor familiarity. The results indicated increased activity in the rostral region of the posterior piriform cortex elicited by the most familiar cider vinegar solution after six exposures. Aged rats exhibited overall increased activity in the posterior, but not the anterior piriform cortex, which was not related to flavor familiarity. This suggests that the posterior piriform cortex is related to flavor recognition memory and that aging modifies its activity pattern which might underlie their slower attenuation of flavor neophobia.This work was supported by the research projects PSI2014-57643-P, PSI2017-86381-P (MINECO. Spain) and FPU14/01531 (predoctoral fellowship to A.B. Grau-Perales (MECD, Spain

Increased basolateral amygdala metabolic activity during flavor familiarization: an experimental study

Background: Novel flavors elicit a cautious neophobic response which is attenuated as the flavor becomes familiar and safe. The attenuation of neophobia reveals the formation of a safe memory. Previous lesion studies in rats have reported that basolateral amygdala integrity is required for taste neophobia, but not neophobia to flavor, i.e., taste linked to an odorous component. Accordingly, immunohistochemical analyses show that novel tastes induced higher basolateral amygdala activity when compared to familiar ones. However, a different role of basolateral amygdala in flavor attenuation of neophobia is suggested by lesion studies using a vinegar solution. Studies assessing basolateral amygdala activity during flavor attenuation of neophobia are lacking. Thus, we quantified cytochrome oxidase as an index of basolateral amygdala activity along the first and second vinegar exposures in order to assess flavor neophobia and attenuation of neophobia. Methods: We exposed adult male Wistar rats either once or twice to a 3% cider vinegar solution or water, and compared the basolateral amygdala, piriform cortex and caudate putamen brain metabolic activity using cytochrome c-oxidase histochemistry. Results: We found increased flavor intake and cytochrome c-oxidase histochemistry activity during the second exposure in basolateral amygdala, but not in the piriform cortex and caudate/putamen. Conclusions: The main finding of the study is that BLA metabolic activity was higher in the group exposed to a familiar vinegar solution than in the groups exposed to either water or a novel vinegar solution.6 página

Guía sobre las enfermedades fúngicas de la madera de la vid

Reunión Grupo de Trabajo de experimentación en viticultura y enología. 34ª Reunión: Centro de Transferencia Agroalimentaria: Gobierno de Aragón: Zaragoza: 10 y 11 de abril de 2019. ANEXOLas enfermedades fúngicas de la madera de la vid (EMV) son uno de los retos más importantes que actualmente debe afrontar la viticultura en todo el mundo para su sostenibilidad. Estas enfermedades causan daños severos en el viñedo todos los años y su incidencia está creciendo rápidamente en todos los países productores (De la Fuente et al., 2016). Las EMV están causadas por varios hongos patógenos que viven y colonizan la madera de los órganos perennes, causando necrosis y decoloración de la madera, infecciones vasculares, y descomposición esponjosa seca. Las viñas afectadas muestran, externamente, un decaimiento general y progresivo (retraso de la brotación, yemas muertas, decaimiento de la planta, parada del desarrollo, clorosis, apoplejía, etc.), generalmente asociado a unos síntomas foliares acordes a las diferentes enfermedades, que inicialmente pueden causar pérdida de productividad y eventualmente la muerte de las plantas (Gramaje et al., 2018). En España se estima una media del 3% de plantas afectadas por EMV, aunque existen plantaciones recién establecidas en las que su incidencia podría superar el 20%, generando pérdidas económicas anuales muy elevadas (De la Fuente et al., 2016). Según estimaciones recientes, el coste anual de replantar el 1% de vid del cultivar Tempranillo en La Rioja debido a las EMV asciende a 7,16 millones de euros anuales (Martínez-Diz et al., 2019). En Francia, se estima que aproximadamente un 12% de los viñedos son improductivos debido a las EMV, causando unas pérdidas anuales de 1 billón de euros (Lorch, 2014)

Primary breast cancer and health related quality of life in Spanish women: The EpiGEICAM case-control study

This study evaluates the impact of breast cancer (BC) in health related quality of life (HRQL) and in psychological distress (PD) during the initial phases of the disease and looks for contributing factors. A multicentric case-control study, EpiGEICAM, was carried out. Incident BC cases and age- and residence- matched controls were included. Clinical, epidemiological, HRQL (SF-36) and PD information (GHQ-28) was collected. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate OR of low HRQL and of PD in cases compared to controls, and to identify factors associated with low HRQL and with PD. Among 896 BC cases and 890 control women, cases had poorer scores than both, the reference population and the control group, in all SF-36 scales. BC women with lower education, younger, active workers, never smokers, those with comorbidities, in stage IV and with surgical treatment had lower physical HRQL; factors associated with low mental HRQL were dissatisfaction with social support, being current smoker and having children. Cases had a fivefold increased odds of PD compared to controls. Managing comorbidities and trying to promote social support, especially in younger and less educated women, could improve well-being of BC patients

Clinical and Sociodemographic Determinants of Adherence to World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Recommendations in Breast Cancer Survivors—Health-EpiGEICAM Study

Breast cancer (BC) survivors are advised to follow the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, given their high risk of developing a second tumour. We aimed to explore compliance with these recommendations in BC survivors and to identify potentially associated clinical and sociodemographic factors. A total of 420 BC survivors, aged 31–80, was recruited from 16 Spanish hospitals. Epidemiological, dietary and physical activity information was collected through questionnaires. A 7-item score to measure compliance with the recommendations was built according to the 2018 WCRF/AICR scoring criteria. Standardized prevalences and standardized prevalence ratios of moderate and high compliance across participant characteristics were estimated using multinomial and binary logistic regression models. The mean score was 3.9 (SD: 1.0) out of 7 points. Recommendations with the worst adherence were those of limiting consumption of red/processed meats (12% of compliance, 95% CI: 8.2–15.0) and high fibre intake (22% of compliance, 95% CI: 17.6–27.0), while the best compliance was observed for the consumption of fruits and vegetables (73% of compliance, 95% CI: 69.2–77.7). Overall, adherence was worse in women with university education and in those with first-degree relatives with BC. This information may be of interest to design and implement personalized preventive measures adapted to the characteristics of these patients19 página

Examining the immune signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and the impact on neurodevelopment: Protocol of the SIGNATURE longitudinal study.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a valuable opportunity to carry out cohort studies that allow us to advance our knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases. One of these opportunities is the study of the relationships between inflammation, brain development and an increased risk of suffering neuropsychiatric disorders. Based on the hypothesis that neuroinflammation during early stages of life is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and confers a greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, we propose a cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women and their newborns. The main objective of SIGNATURE project is to explore how the presence of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and other non-infectious stressors generates an abnormal inflammatory activity in the newborn. The cohort of women during the COVID-19 pandemic will be psychological and biological monitored during their pregnancy, delivery, childbirth and postpartum. The biological information of the umbilical cord (foetus blood) and peripheral blood from the mother will be obtained after childbirth. These samples and the clinical characterisation of the cohort of mothers and newborns, are tremendously valuable at this time. This is a protocol report and no analyses have been conducted yet, being currently at, our study is in the recruitment process step. At the time of this publication, we have identified 1,060 SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers and all have already given birth. From the total of identified mothers, we have recruited 537 SARS-COV-2 infected women and all of them have completed the mental health assessment during pregnancy. We have collected biological samples from 119 mothers and babies. Additionally, we have recruited 390 non-infected pregnant women