Lichen planus and hepatitis C virus infection

Producción CientíficaThe association of lichen planus (LP) with liver diseases is well established. The reported prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in patients with LP tend to appear quite variable. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HCV antibodies in a group of patients with LP and evaluate the clinical characteristics of the subgroup with LP associated with HCV.2015-09-0

Consultas planteadas al ICAC

BOICAC núm. 74, junio 2008. Instrumentos financieros (NRV 9.ª) y Operaciones entre empresas del grupo (NRV 21.ª). Consulta 6. BOICAC núm. 74, junio 2008. Consulta 7

Structural Analysis of a Tablet PC Based Language Test

[EN] Ubiquitous language learning and testing has become a new challenging trend. Budget constraints in Europe and the rest of the world have made this way of delivery very attractive for materials designers as well as language testing organizations. Ubiquitoustesting has a very especial interest in low and medium stakes language testing in which mobile devices are supposed to serve both for delivering tests as well as for pre-test training. However, although the number of publications in language teaching increases rapidly, language testing through mobiles devices has had a limited interest in research. Purpose of Study: This research under the OPENPAU project intends to address the two main issues mentioned before emphasizing the design aspects. To do so, this paper presents the principles under which the mobile applications were designed, the mobile tool and the interface design. Sources of Evidence: To do this study we used the description of the ergonomics, and we also considered the students needs and how those needs were incorporated in the interface design of the platform. Analysis and results: The study indicates that interface design is linked to issues of needs, technical constraints, purpose and budget. Overall, the paper evidences the tablet PC s have a tremendous potential to implement high-stakes tests in Spain at the moment dues to their versatility and limited cost.S2169217319

¿Qué ofrece la web social a los exámenes asistidos por ordenador? Implicaciones en el Proyecto PAULEX (HUM2007- 66479-C02-01/FILO)

The field of testing is highly influenced by the communication and the transmission of knowledge that often have little to do with the knowledge needed to work in the field. The relation between the examinees and their communication of ideas turns out to be fundamental to obtain positive results. Certainly, many studies have addressed the hypothetical inclusion of certain elements that resemble web 2.0 elements in the process of evaluation (Liu et al. 2010; Chen et al, 2010; García Laborda et al, 2010; Kwon and Wen, 2010) such as blogs, podcasts or elements of synchronous communication but it seems difficult to determine to what extent they are processed as traditional resources under a different educational aspect. In this article, we analyze relevant aspects of web 2.0 from two perspectives: the social constructivist aspect and the inclusive technical aspect of web elements 2.0 for their use in testing. The conclusions propose lines of educational action to introduce the pedagogic value of the social web in the process of the Internet based University Entrance examination (project PAULEX MEC (HUM2007-66479-C02- 01/FILO).El campo de la evaluación se ve fuertemente influido por la comunicación y transmisión de conocimientos que muchas veces poco tienen que ver con los conocimientos requeridos para el mismo. La relación entre los examinados y su comunicación de ideas resulta fundamental para sus propios resultados. Ciertamente muchos estudios han hablado de la inclusión hipotética de ciertos elementos que asemejan elementos de la web 2.0 en el proceso de evaluación (Liu et al. 2010; Chen et al, 2010; García Laborda et al, 2010; Kwon y Wen, 2010) tales como blogs, podcasts o elementos de comunicación instantánea pero resulta difícil determinar hasta qué punto se trata de recursos tradicionales bajo una capa educativa distinta. En este artículo analizamos aspectos relevantes de la web 2.0 en lo referente a dos aspectos: el aspecto constructivista social y el aspecto técnico inclusivo de elementos web 2.0 para su uso en la evaluación. Las conclusiones proponen líneas de acción educativa para introducir el valor pedagógico de la web social en el proceso de la Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad asistida por Internet (proyecto PAULEX MEC (HUM2007-66479-C02-01/FILO)

Extracellular histones disarrange vasoactive mediators reléase through COX-NOS interaction in human endothelial cells

Extracellular histones are mediators of inflammation, tissue injury and organ dysfunction. Interactions between circulating histones and vascular endothelial cells are key events in histone-mediated pathologies. Our aim was to investigate the implication of extracellular histones in the production of the major vasoactive compounds released by human endothelial cells (HUVECs), prostanoids and nitric oxide (NO). HUVEC exposed to increasing concentrations of histones (0.001 to 100 μg/ml) for 4 hrs induced prostacyclin (PGI2) production in a dose-dependent manner and decreased thromboxane A2 (TXA2) release at 100 μg/ml. Extracellular histones raised cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) mRNA and protein expression, decreased COX-1 mRNA levels and did not change thromboxane A2 synthase (TXAS) expression. Moreover, extracellular histones decreased both, eNOS expression and NO production in HUVEC. The impaired NO production was related to COX-2 activity and superoxide production since was reversed after celecoxib (10 μmol/l) and tempol (100 μmol/l) treatments, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that extracellular histones stimulate the release of endothelial-dependent mediators through an up-regulation in COX-2-PGIS-PGI2 pathway which involves a COX-2-dependent superoxide production that decreases the activity of eNOS and the NO production. These effects may contribute to the endothelial cell dysfunction observed in histone-mediated pathologies

Extracellular histones trigger oxidative stress-dependent induction of the NF-kB/CAM pathway via TLR4 in endothelial cells.

Extracellular histones have been reported to aggravate different pathophysiological processes by increasing vascular permeability, coagulopathy, and inflammation. In the present study, we elucidate how extracellular histones (10-100 mu g/mL) concentration dependently increase cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, we identify cyclooxygenase (COX) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity as sources of ROS production in extracellular histone-treated HUVEC. This COX/NOX-mediated ROS production is also involved in enhanced NF-kB activity and cell adhesion molecules (VCAM1 and ICAM1) expression in histone-treated HUVEC. Finally, by using different toll-like receptor (TLR) antagonists, we demonstrate the role of TLR4 in CAMs overexpression triggered by extracellular histones in endothelial cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that through TLR4 signaling, extracellular histones increase endothelial cell activation, a mechanism involving increased COX- and NOX-mediated ROS. These findings increase our understanding on how extracellular histones enhance systemic inflammatory responses in diseases in which histone release occurs as part of the pathological processes

Cefditoren and ceftriaxone enhance complement-mediated immunity in the presence of specific antibodies against antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains

8 p.-4 fig.Background: Specific antibodies mediate humoral and cellular protection against invading pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae by activating complement mediated immunity, promoting phagocytosis and stimulating bacterial clearance. The emergence of pneumococcal strains with high levels of antibiotic resistance is of great concern worldwide and a serious threat for public health. Methodology/Principal Findings: Flow cytometry was used to determine whether complement-mediated immunity against three antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolates is enhanced in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone. The binding of acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, and of complement component C1q, to pneumococci was enhanced in the presence of serum plus either of these antibiotics. Both antibiotics therefore trigger the activation of the classical complement pathway against S. pneumoniae. C3b deposition was also increased in the presence of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies and sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone confirming that the presence of these antibiotics enhances complementmediated immunity to S. pneumoniae. Conclusions/Significance: Using cefditoren and ceftriaxone to promote the binding of acute phase proteins and C1q to pneumococci, and to increase C3b deposition, when anti-pneumococcal antibodies are present, might help reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae infections.This work was supported by grants SAF2009-10824 from Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, MPY 1350/10 from ISCIII and an unrestricted educational grant from Tedec-Meiji Farma S. A. (Madrid, Spain).Peer reviewe

Actuador con mecanismo de rigidez variable y par umbral

Número de publicación: ES2387228 A1 (18.09.2012) También publicado como: ES2387228 B2 (05.02.2013) Número de Solicitud: Consulta de Expedientes OEPM (C.E.O.) P201200712 (29.06.2012)Actuador con mecanismo de rigidez variable y par umbral, del tipo de los utilizados en articulaciones de revolución de brazos robóticos y que pueden modificar su rigidez. El actuador incorpora un motor (1) que se encarga de controlar la posición de equilibrio del eslabón de salida (13). El mecanismo contiene un resorte (18) y una palanca (12). La rigidez del mecanismo puede ser modificada variando la posición de esta palanca (12) mediante un motor (14). Dicha rigidez determina el valor del giro entre la posición de la polea (2) solidaria al eje de salida del motor (1) y la posición del eslabón (13). Dos tensores (5) y (6) permiten modificar la precarga de dos cables (3) y (4) respectivamente, de forma que el mecanismo no entra en funcionamiento hasta que no se ha sobrepasado un cierto valor de par sobre la articulación.Universidad de Almerí

Active methodology in the Audiovisual communication degree

The paper describes the adaptation methods of the active methodologies of the new European higher education area in the new Audiovisual Communication degree under the perspective of subjects related to the area of the interactive communication in Europe. The proposed active methodologies have been experimentally implemented into the new academic curricular development of the subjects, leading to a docent adjustment for the professors who currently teach lectures and who have been evaluated for the first time. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Giménez López, JL.; Magal Royo, T.; García Laborda, J.; Dunai Dunai, L. (2010). Active methodology in the Audiovisual communication degree. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2(2):4487-4491. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.03.717S448744912

Finerenone: A Potential Treatment for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects an estimated 463 million people worldwide, equivalent to 1 in 11 adults. Moreover, the rapid growth of this disease has resulted in a high incidence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which, together with hypertension, is the main cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperglycaemia, low-grade inflammation, altered lipid metabolism and hyperactivation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) seem to be interrelated mechanisms contributing to both T2DM and microvascular complications. The introduction of drugs such as sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists has improved the ability to slow the progression of DKD, and has also demonstrated benefits in cardiovascular disease. Beyond the effects of these novel antidiabetic drugs, a body of evidence suggests that the overactivation of the mineralocorticoid receptor also contributes to CKD progression. Moreover, new and ongoing trials have demonstrated that the selective nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) finerenone improves the risk of CKD progression and cardiovascular events in patients with CKD and T2DM and optimized RAAS blockade. We review the rationale for the development and use of MRA drugs to slow CKD progression in patients with DKD, as well as other pleiotropic effects, and highlight the warnings associated with these agents