Interrupción de Aferencias propioceptivas a nivel de la segunda neurona inducen escoliosis: Estudio experimental en ratas

El propósito de este trabajo es valorar el comportamiento del raquis, en un modelo experimental con ratas, tras producir una lesión a nivel del núcleo gracilis. Un total de 20 animales de 5 semanas de edad fueron usados en nuestro estudio. Las lesiones fueron realizadas en el lado derecho. Del total de 15 animales con lesión, todos presentaron lesión histológica, 5 de estos desarrollaron curvas escolióticas (33.3%) con una media de 14.8-Cobb (9-20) y cifosis de 40.4-Cobb (38-42). Nuestros datos sugieren que el núcleo gracilis puede estar implicado de algún modo en el desarrollo de la escoliosis.The aim of this study wa s to investigate if damage of gracilis nucleus could bring about scoliotic deformitie. A total of 20 animals aged 5 weeks wer e used in this experiment. Lesions wer e performed on the right side. Out of 15 brain damaged animals, 15 had accurat e histological lesions, 5 of these (33.3%) developed scoliotic curve s with a mean Cobb's angle 14. 8 (range: 8-20) and Kyphosis with a mean Cobb's angle 40.4 (range: 38-42). This study provide s the expiremental support that gracilis nucleus can be a primary etiology factor in idiophatic scoliosis

Efecto de un programa de iniciación a la natación basado en juegos motores acuáticos sobre la autoestima corporal y socio afectiva en niñas y niños de 5 y 6 años de edad

This study sought to examine the success of the application of two introductory swimming programmes in enhancing the body and socio-affective self-esteem of 5 and 6 year olds, and to determine which of these programmes was more effective in this improvement. Both programmes were administered over three months and were designed under the stageapproach of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation. The first was implemented in the control group (31 girls and 27 boys), and the second in the experimental group (29 girls and 23 boys). The experimental group included the application of aquatic games designed to promote cooperative play and children’s knowledge of their own bodies. The results showed significant improvements in both types of self-esteem in the experimental group, while only body self-esteem improved in the control group. In the between-group comparison, the experimental group showed significantly more robust results in both types of self-esteem. No gender differences were found. We conclude that the use of motor games oriented towards collaborative games and knowledge of one's own body aremore effective in improving both types of self-esteem. Thus, their use is recommended in introductory swimming classes.Este estudio analizó si la aplicación de dos programas de iniciación a la natación conseguía mejorar la autoestima corporal y socio afectiva de alumnos de cinco y seis años, y conocer cuál era más efectivo en dicha mejora. Sendos programas se aplicaron durante tres meses. Los programas se diseñaron bajo el planteamiento de etapas de la Real Federación Española de Natación. El primero se estableció en el grupo control (31 niñas y 27 niños), y el segundo en el grupo experimental (29 niñas y 23 niños). El grupo experimental incluyó la aplicación de juegos motores acuáticos diseñados para fomentar el conocimiento del propio cuerpo y el juego cooperativo. Los resultados mostraron que en el grupo experimental se lograron mejoras significativas de ambas autoestimas, mientras que en el grupo control solo mejoró la autoestima corporal. En la comparación entre grupos, el grupo experimental fue significativamente más eficiente en ambas autoestimas. No se encontraron diferencias en función del sexo. Se concluye que la utilización de los juegos motores orientados al conocimiento del propio cuerpo, y los juegos cooperativos son más eficaces para la mejora de ambas autoestimas. De este modo es conveniente su uso en las clases de iniciación a la natación

Effect of a cocoa-enriched diet on immune response and anaphylaxis in a food allergy model in Brown Norway rats

Previous studies have demonstrated that cocoa intake decreased Th2 immune-related antibodies in rats. In consequence, we aimed to study in depth this cocoa action, particularly assessing its effect on a rat model of food allergy (FA) and also on an anaphylactic response. The involvement of the intestinal immune system was analyzed to allow the action mechanisms to be investigated. The role of cocoa flavonoids in the anti-allergic properties of cocoa was also established. Brown Norway rats were fed either a reference diet or diets containing conventional cocoa (CC) or non-fermented cocoa (NFC). FA to ovalbumin (OVA) was induced and, later, an anaphylactic response was provoked. As expected, the synthesis of anti-OVA IgE and other Th2-related antibodies was inhibited by CC diet. In addition, the release of mast cell protease II after anaphylaxis was partially prevented by CC, although other variables were not modified. The CC diet also attenuated the increase of some Th2-related cytokines released from mesenteric lymph node and spleen cells, and modulated the intestinal gene expression of molecules involved in allergic response. These results demonstrated the local and systemic influence of CC diet. The effects of the NFC diet were weaker than those of CC, suggesting that cocoa components other than flavonoids play a role in cocoa's action. In conclusion, by acting on intestinal and systemic immune functions, a cocoa-enriched diet in rats exhibited a protective effect against FA and partially against anaphylaxis, making this a food of high interest to the fields of health and immunonutrition

Aprendizaje cooperativo como método de prevención e intervención contra el bullying

This research proposes an educational methodology, known as cooperative learning, as a method of prevention and/or intervention against bullying. With the use of this kind of innovative learning, which involves group work and cooperation as fundamental axes, social acceptance and flexible conflicts resolution among peers increases and it also improves the school climate. Working in a cooperative way reduces the competitiveness and the individuality among peers, as well as it promotes the group cohesion and the integration of the excluded students.En el presente artículo, se propone una metodología educativa, denominada aprendizaje cooperativo, como método de prevención y/o intervención contra el bullying o maltrato escolar entre iguales. Con la utilización de este tipo de estrategia pedagógica en el aula, que conlleva la utilización del trabajo grupal y la cooperación como ejes fundamentales, aumenta la aceptación social de los alumnos y facilita la resolución de conflictos entre iguales de un modo más flexible, lo que redunda en la mejora del clima social. Con el aprendizaje cooperativo, disminuye la competitividad e individualidad entre los alumnos, así como se fomenta la cohesión grupal y la integración de los estudiantes con exclusión

Development and characterization of an effective food allergy model in Brown Norway rats

Background: Food allergy (FA) is an adverse health effect produced by the exposure to a given food. Currently, there is no optimal animal model of FA for the screening of immunotherapies or for testing the allergenicity of new foods. Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop an effective and rapid model of FA in Brown Norway rats. In order to establish biomarkers of FA in rat, we compared the immune response and the anaphylactic shock obtained in this model with those achieved with only intraperitoneal immunization. Methods: Rats received an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) with alum and toxin from Bordetella pertussis, and 14 days later, OVA by oral route daily for three weeks (FA group). A group of rats receiving only the i.p. injection (IP group) were also tested. Serum anti-OVA IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgA antibodies were quantified throughout the study. After an oral challenge, body temperature, intestinal permeability, motor activity, and mast cell protease II (RMCP-II) levels were determined. At the end of the study, anti-OVA intestinal IgA, spleen cytokine production, lymphocyte composition of Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, and gene expression in the small intestine were quantified. Results: Serum OVA-specific IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b concentrations rose with the i.p. immunization but were highly augmented after the oral OVA administration. Anti-OVA IgE increased twofold during the first week of oral OVA gavage. The anaphylaxis in both IP and FA groups decreased body temperature and motor activity, whereas intestinal permeability increased.Interestingly, the FA group showed a much higher RMCP II serum protein and intestinal mRNA expression. Conclusions: These results show both an effective and relatively rapid model of FA assessed by means of specific antibody titres and the high production of RMCP-II and its intestinal gene expression

Opinions of Andalusian primary health care professionals about human papillomavirus and its vaccine

Fundamento. El virus del papiloma humano (VPH) es una de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual más comunes, pero su tasa de vacunación es de las más bajas en Andalucía. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las opiniones de los profesionales sanitarios de Atención Primaria sobre la prevención en adolescentes de la infección por el VPH y la administración de su vacuna. Método. Investigación cualitativa mediante seis grupos focales con profesionales de centros de Atención Primaria de Sevilla, Granada y Jaén. Participaron 45 profesionales sanitarios. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de tipo semántico con categorización de respuestas en unidades temáticas. Resultados. Los profesionales reconocen las dificultades de llegar a la población adolescente en temas de prevención de conductas sexuales de riesgo, por falta de tiempo y poca preocupación de los adolescentes por las medidas preventivas. Aunque reconocen la sintomatología de la infección por el VPH, no todos tienen claro si el varón padece la enfermedad así como la asociación de la infección con canceres distintos al de cérvix. Dudan a la hora de recomendar la vacuna, dejando en manos de los progenitores la decisión de la vacunación de sus hijas. Conclusiones. Sería recomendable establecer estrategias que mejoren la información que tienen los profesionales acerca del VPH, así como de los beneficios de la vacuna, para que los trasmitan claramente y con asertividad a los padres; esto evitaría incertidumbre en los progenitores, mejoraría las tasas de vacunación y disminuiría las complicaciones de la infección (cáncer).Background. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease, but its vaccination coverage is among the lowest in Andalusia. The aim of this study is to determine what primary health care professionals think and find out about the prevention of HPV infection among adolescents and the administration of the vaccine Method. Qualitative study using six focus groups with professionals from Primary Health Care in Seville, Granada and Jaen. Fourty-five professionals participated. An analysis of the semantic content was made, and answers were categorized in thematic units. Results. Professionals recognize the difficulties in reaching the adolescent population concerning prevention of sexual risk behaviors, due to lack of time and little concern amongst adolescents about the preventive measures. Although the professionals recognize the symptoms of HPV infection, some did not know about the disease in men as well as the association with other cancers other than cervical cancer. They hesitate over whether to recommend the vaccine or not, leaving the decision to vaccinate their daughters in the hands of the parents. Conclusion. It would be advisable to establish strategies that improve the information that the professionals have about HPV as well as the benefits of the vaccine, so that they can transmit the benefits clearly and assertively to the parents. This would avoid parental uncertainty, improve vaccination rates, and decrease complications of infection (cancer)

Enhancement of immune maturation in suckling rats by leptin and adiponectin supplementation

Leptin and adiponectin, adipokines present in breast milk, have shown immunomodulatory properties. The current study aimed to ascertain whether a nutritional supplementation with leptin or adiponectin in neonatal rats was able to infuence the maturation of the systemic immune response in early life. To achieve this, suckling Wistar rats were supplemented with either leptin (0.7μg/kg/day) or adiponectin (35μg/kg/day) during the whole suckling period. Plasmatic immunoglobulins were quantifed, and spleen lymphocyte composition and their ability to proliferate and release cytokines were evaluated during (day 14) and at the end (day 21) of the suckling period. Rats fed with either adipokine showed higher plasma IgM and IgG1 concentrations and adiponectin supplementation also increased IgG2a at both studied days (P<0.05). With regard to the lymphocyte composition, both adipokine supplementations increased T cell proportion and both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets after two weeks of supplementation (P<0.05). Moreover, only leptin administration increased NK and NKT cell proportions at the end of the suckling period. Finally, both adipokines infuenced the cytokine secretion pattern by splenocytes. In conclusion, these results suggest that leptin and adiponectin play a role in the maturation of the systemic immune response during the suckling period

Tree-ring density and carbon isotope composition are early-warning signals of drought-induced mortality in the drought tolerant Canary Island pine

Tree death is not always preceded by a visible decline in vigor (canopy dieback) or a progressive loss in crown volume. Identifying early-warning signals of incipient decline can help to implement the necessary measures to prevent tree death. The aim of this work is to understand what functional alterations preceded the massive drought-induced death of adult Pinus canariensis trees in an arid stand, located in the Canary Islands. To this aim, we analyzed interannual variations in earlywood and latewood width, wood density and anatomy, and carbon isotope composition, and the relationships among these variables, in dead and living trees from 1980 to 2013. Dead trees grew less since the 1990's, produced fewer parenchyma rays and resin canals, and exhibited a trend of decreasing latewood density and a marked shift in carbon isotope discrimination over the last 34 years that were reversed in living trees. Higher wood density in living trees resulted from thicker tracheid cell walls rather than narrower lumens. The intrinsic water use efficiency shifted from higher to lower values in dead trees after the 2000s. These results suggest a carbon limitation to maintain hydraulic safety under xylem tension, as well as to maintain storage and defense capacity, which can render trees more vulnerable to severe drought episodes. A long-term trend of decreasing tree-ring density and a reduced intrinsic water use efficiency in the short-term can be early-warning signals of carbon limitation and tree decline in drought-stressed P. canariensis. The analysis of these variables can be used to assess tree decline risks in similarly vulnerable conifer populations inhabiting drought-prone regions

MEDICINA VETERINARIA APLICADA AL GANADO VACUNO EN ÉPOCA ROMANA SEGÚN LA OBRA DE LUCIO JUNIO MODERATO COLUMELA (SIGLO I d. C.)

Lucio Junio Moderato Columela was an agronomist writer from ancient Rome. He was born in Gades (present-day Cádiz) in the year 4 A.D. and died in Taras (present-day Tarento, a southern italian city) around the year 70 A.D. His work, De Re Rustica, written in latin, is one of the most complete works on agriculture, livestock and animal medicine from Roman times and it was translated into Spanish for the first time in 1824 by Juan María Álvarez de Sotomayor y Rubio under the title of “The twelve books of agriculture”. The main goal of this final degree project has been examining and understanding what Columela shares about diseases, ailments and treatments that affected cattle in the 1st century A.D. For this, we have read the preface and the 26 chapters (I to XXVI) of the sixth book dedicated to cattle. These chapters describe the most frequent diseases of the time and different remedies for their cure. Among the diseases described, we find indigestion, stomach and intestine pain, ranulas and lack of appetite for food, fever, cough, abscess, lameness, scabies, rabid dog or wolf bites and coriazo, lung ulcers and palate tumors, hoof or leg injuries, bites of poisonous animals and infection by leeches. The medical treatments recommended by Columela are mainly natural and they are based in the use of preparations, ointments or concoctions with medicinal plants, food, minerals or even animals. Surgical procedures are also described, highlighting castration or bleeding. In addition to these remedies, Columela mentions some related to superstitious medicine. Columela’s work allows us to get an idea of the ailments suffered by cattle in Roman times, as well as the treatments used to cure them.Lucio Junio Moderato Columela fue un escritor agrónomo de la Antigua Roma nacido en Gades (actual Cádiz) en el año 4 d.C. y fallecido en Taras (actual ciudad del sur de Italia llamada Tarento) hacia el año 70 d.C. Su obra, De Re Rustica, escrita en latín, es una de las más completas sobre agricultura, ganadería y medicina animal de la época romana y fue traducida al castellano por vez primera en 1824 por Juan María Álvarez de Sotomayor y Rubio bajo el título de, “Los doce libros de agricultura”. El objetivo principal de este trabajo de fin de grado ha sido examinar y comprender los datos que Columela aporta sobre enfermedades, dolencias y tratamientos que afectaban al ganado vacuno en el siglo I d.C. Para ello, hemos realizado la lectura del prefacio y de los 26 capítulos (I a XXVI) del libro sexto dedicado al ganado vacuno. En estos capítulos se describen las enfermedades más frecuentes de la época y diversos remedios para su cura. Entre las enfermedades descritas encontramos la indigestión, dolor de vientre e intestinos, ránulas e inapetencia por la comida, calentura, tos, apostemas, cojeras, sarna, mordedura de perra rabiosa o lobo y coriazo, úlceras de pulmón y tumores de paladar, heridas de pezuñas o piernas, mordedura de animales venenosos y afección por sanguijuelas. Los tratamientos médicos recomendados por Columela son principalmente naturales y se basan en el uso de preparados, ungüentos o brebajes con plantas medicinales, alimentos, minerales e incluso animales. También se describen procedimientos quirúrgicos, entre los que destacan la castración y la sangría. Además de estos remedios Columela menciona algunos relacionados con la medicina supersticiosa. La obra de Columela permite hacernos una idea de las dolencias que padecía el ganado vacuno en época romana, así como de los tratamientos empleados para su curación