e-Motional Training®: Pilot study on a novel online training program on social cognition for patients with schizophrenia

AbstractBackgroundPatients with schizophrenia have deficits in social cognition (SC), a construct that includes emotion perception (EP), social perception (SP), theory of mind (ToM) and attributive style (AS). The aim of our study was to assess the applicability, identify potential problems and obtain preliminary data on the efficacy of a new online training program on SC called e-Motional Training (ET®), which can be remotely administered and remotely supervised by a clinician.Materials and methodsA pre/post intervention pilot study was conducted with 21 patients with schizophrenia in the healthcare area of Ourense, Spain (12 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 9 in the control group). The control group received standard treatment (TAU) (occupational therapy and leisure group). The intervention group received TAU plus 12 sessions (1hour per week) with ET® (including training modules on emotional perception and a short animated cartoon for ToM and AS training, including automated metacognitive feedback).Endpoints: EP (Ekman 60 Faces Test), ToM (Hinting Task, Faux Pas, Happé), AS (Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire).ResultsET® was shown to be an understandable, viable and pleasant program for the participants. After the intervention, statistically significant data (p<0.05) were obtained for the EP, ToM and AS variables.ConclusionET® enables self-training in SC and online follow-up by the therapist, thereby covering the lack of online intervention instruments validated for patients with SC deficits. Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of ET® and its possible efficacy in improving emotion recognition, ToM and AS

Construction and Validation of a Scale for Assessing Best Intercultural Practices in Social Work

El objetivo principal de este artículo es mostrar el proceso de construcción y validación de un instrumento de medida que permite delimitar qué puede ser considerado «buena práctica» en relación a proyectos interculturales. Este trabajo se enmarca dentro de una investigación más amplia denominada «Mapa de buenas prácticas interculturales en Andalucía » y que fue financiada por la Dirección General de Coordinación de Políticas Migratorias de la Consejería de Gobernación de la Junta de Andalucía. La escala validada está formada por 32 ítems distribuidos en cuatro dimensiones: teórica (con tres subdimensiones: factor contextual, factor concepción de la diversidad y factor de elementos de diversidad), ético-ideológica, socio-política y una última de empatía intercultural. Se incluyen también otras cuestiones relacionadas con datos de identificación de los proyectos participantes. Esta escala ha sido pilotada en proyectos de intervención social de diferentes sectores de actuación que comparten la visión intercultural (empleo, educación, salud, etc.) y que se desarrollan en Andalucía (España). Con los datos obtenidos hemos alcanzado evidencias de validez de constructo y elevada fiabilidad del instrumento diseñado.This article reports on the construction and validation process of an instrument that enables the placement of intercultural projects on a scale of Best Practices. The validated scales includes 32 variables divided into four categories: theoretical (subdivided further into three categories: contextual, concept of diversity and elements of diversity); ethicalideological, sociopolitical and intercultural empathy. Questions related to project identification are also included. The scale was piloted in social intervention projects in different sectors sharing the intercultural vision (employment, education, health, etc.) and was developed in Andalusia (Spain). The data obtained show evidence of construct validity and high reliability of the instrument as designed

Metodología para evaluación y reorientación de actividad ganadera con ineficiencia productiva

The methodology present is carried out with the objective of presenting a tool that allows studying any zootecnic flow where inefficient and not very competitive results of their productive indicators exist and offers as exit a strategy proposal guided to cause transformation in favor of more efficient productive indicators. For she was carried out it a development investigation where they were integrated or they articulated different elements of technological, productive, environmentaland sociopolitical type, associated to different zootecnic flows that didn't show the best indicators; of this initial mark it arises the proposed present that I eatpremises to consider it demands: the leadership of the directive, the participation of the groups of interest that they participate inside the zootecnic flow, thealignment of those implied and the continuous learning. It is structured in five stages and 11 explicit steps that will allow to characterize, to classify, contextualizeand to evaluate the acting of any zootecnic flow that requires to perfect the administration of their main technologicalproductive processes. The methodologythat puts on to the investigators' of the cattle sciences disposition or manager and specialists of the productive sector, constitutes an useful tool that allows toidentify along the zootecnic flow vulnerable aspects that they concern with the productive efficiency which is reverted through a strategy that intends sustained inits genesis in the transfer and adoption of impact technologies, emanated of the scientific investigations that cause the continuous improvement of the cattleprocesses with a positive impact in its behavior.La presente metodología se realiza con el objetivo de presentar una herramienta que permite estudiar cualquier flujo zootécnico donde existan resultados ineficientes y poco competitivos de sus indicadores productivos y ofrece como salida una propuesta de estrategia orientada a provocar transformación a favor de indicadores productivos más eficientes. Para ello se realizó una investigación de desarrollo donde se integraron o articularon diferentes elementos de tipo tecnológico, productivo, medioambiental y sociopolítico, asociados a diferentes flujos zootécnicos que no mostraban los mejores indicadores; de este marco inicial surge la presente propuesta que como premisas a considerar exige: el liderazgo de los directivos, la participación de los grupos de interés que participan dentro del flujo zootécnico, la alineación de los implicados y el aprendizaje continuo. Está estructurada en cinco etapas y 11 pasos explícitos que permitirán caracterizar, clasificar, contextualizar y evaluar eldesempeño de cualquier flujo zootécnico que requiera perfeccionar la gestión de sus principales procesos tecnológicoproductivos. La metodología que se pone adisposición de los investigadores de las ciencias pecuarias o decisores y especialistas del sector productivo, constituye una herramienta útil que permite identificar a lo largo del flujo zootécnico aspectos vulnerables que competen con la eficiencia productiva la cual se revierte a través de una estrategia que se propone sustentada en su génesis en la transferencia y adopción de tecnologías de impacto, emanadas de las investigaciones científicas, que provocan la mejora continua de los procesos ganaderos con un impacto positivo en su gestión. &lt;!--EndFra

Construction and validation of a scale for assessing best intercultural practices in Social Work

El objetivo principal de este artículo es mostrar el proceso de construcción y validación de un instrumento de medida que permite delimitar qué puede ser considerado «buena práctica» en relación a proyectos interculturales. Este trabajo se enmarca dentro de una investigación más amplia denominada «Mapa de buenas prácticas interculturales en Andalucía » y que fue financiada por la Dirección General de Coordinación de Políticas Migratorias de la Consejería de Gobernación de la Junta de Andalucía. La escala validada está formada por 32 ítems distribuidos en cuatro dimensiones: teórica (con tres subdimensiones: factor contextual, factor concepción de la diversidad y factor de elementos de diversidad), ético-ideológica, socio-política y una última de empatía intercultural. Se incluyen también otras cuestiones relacionadas con datos de identificación de los proyectos participantes. Esta escala ha sido pilotada en proyectos de intervención social de diferentes sectores de actuación que comparten la visión intercultural (empleo, educación, salud, etc.) y que se desarrollan en Andalucía (España). Con los datos obtenidos hemos alcanzado evidencias de validez de constructo y elevada fiabilidad del instrumento diseñado.This article reports on the construction and validation process of an instrument that enables the placement of intercultural projects on a scale of Best Practices. The validated scales includes 32 variables divided into four categories: theoretical (subdivided further into three categories: contextual, concept of diversity and elements of diversity); ethicalideological, sociopolitical and intercultural empathy. Questions related to project identification are also included. The scale was piloted in social intervention projects in different sectors sharing the intercultural vision (employment, education, health, etc.) and was developed in Andalusia (Spain). The data obtained show evidence of construct validity and high reliability of the instrument as designed

β-Alanine Supplementation in Combat Sports: Evaluation of Sports Performance, Perception, and Anthropometric Parameters and Biochemical Markers—A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

[EN] β-alanine does not have an ergogenic effect by itself, but it does as a precursor for the synthesis of carnosine in human skeletal muscle. β-alanine and carnosine together help improve the muscles’ functionality, especially in high-intensity exercises such as combat sports. Therefore, β-alanine could be considered a nutritional ergogenic aid to improve sports performance in combat athletes. We aimed to critically review clinical trial evidence on the impact of β-alanine supplementation on sports performance, perception, and anthropometric parameters, as well as circulating biochemical markers in combat athletes. This systematic review was conducted following the specific methodological guidelines of the Preferred Report Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA), the PICOS question model, the Critical Review Form of McMaster, and the PEDro scale. Furthermore, the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool was used. The search was carried out in the SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and Medline (PubMed) databases for studies published from the beginning of the database until July 31, 2023. Of the 41 registers identified, only 7 met the established criteria and were included in this systematic review. Overall, performance parameters related to strength, power, total exercise work capacity, and combat-specific parameters were significantly improved (p 0.05). Regarding biochemical parameters, carnosine increased significantly (p 0.05), and the results for blood bicarbonate and blood lactate were heterogeneous. Finally, there was a non-significant (p > 0.05) improvement in the anthropometric parameters of lean mass and fat mass. β-alanine supplementation appears to be safe and could be a suitable nutritional ergogenic aid for combat athletes.S

Una visión microscópica a pie de calle: La biología celular en la podología. Elaboración de una WebQuest para su uso en el Grado de podología

Sección Deptal. de Biología Celular (Medicina)Fac. de MedicinaFALSEsubmitte

The polypeptides COX2A and COX2B are essential components of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase of Toxoplasma gondii

AbstractTwo genes encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunits, Cox2a and Cox2b, are present in the nuclear genomes of apicomplexan parasites and show sequence similarity to corresponding genes in chlorophycean algae. We explored the presence of COX2A and COX2B subunits in the cytochrome c oxidase of Toxoplasma gondii. Antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide containing a 14-residue fragment of the COX2A polypeptide and against a hexa-histidine-tagged recombinant COX2B protein. Two distinct immunochemical stainings localized the COX2A and COX2B proteins in the parasite's mitochondria. A mitochondria-enriched fraction exhibited cyanide-sensitive oxygen uptake in the presence of succinate. T. gondii mitochondria were solubilized and subjected to Blue Native Electrophoresis followed by second dimension electrophoresis. Selected protein spots from the 2D gels were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis and polypeptides of mitochondrial complexes III, IV and V were identified. Subunits COX2A and COX2B were detected immunochemically and found to co-migrate with complex IV; therefore, they are subunits of the parasite's cytochrome c oxidase. The apparent molecular mass of the T. gondii mature COX2A subunit differs from that of the chlorophycean alga Polytomella sp. The data suggest that during its biogenesis, the mitochondrial targeting sequence of the apicomplexan COX2A precursor protein may be processed differently than the one from its algal counterpart

Impact of prevalence ratios of chondroitin sulfate (CS)- 4 and -6 isomers derived from marine sources in cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation processes

[Abstract] Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent rheumatic disease. During disease progression, differences have been described in the prevalence of chondroitin sulfate (CS) isomers. Marine derived-CS present a higher proportion of the 6S isomer, offering therapeutic potential. Accordingly, we evaluated the effect of exogenous supplementation of CS, derived from the small spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), blue shark (Prionace glauca), thornback skate (Raja clavata) and bovine CS (reference), on the proliferation of osteochondral cell lines (MG-63 and T/C-28a2) and the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). MG-G3 proliferation was comparable between R. clavata (CS-6 intermediate ratio) and bovine CS (CS-4 enrichment), for concentrations below 0.5 mg/mL, defined as a toxicity threshold. T/C-28a2 proliferation was significantly improved by intermediate ratios of CS-6 and -4 isomers (S. canicula and R. clavata). A dose-dependent response was observed for S. canicula (200 µg/mL vs 50 and 10 µg/mL) and bovine CS (200 and 100 µg/mL vs 10 µg/mL). CS sulfation patterns discretely affected MSCs chondrogenesis; even though S. canicula and R. clavata CS up-regulated chondrogenic markers expression (aggrecan and collagen type II) these were not statistically significant. We demonstrate that intermediate values of CS-4 and -6 isomers improve cell proliferation and offer potential for chondrogenic promotion, although more studies are needed to elucidate its mechanism of action.Xunta de Galicia; IN607A 2017/11Xunta de Galicia; IN607B 2018/19European Commission; 0245_IBEROS_1_