Evaluating the institutionalisation of diversity outreach in top universities worldwide

The participation of diverse demographics in higher education has risen over the last halfcentury; meanwhile, different political and social tiers have been assigning a more active role to institutions in terms of equality and social justice. This change in circumstances has led to the roll out of processes to institutionalise diversity outreach. This study was conducted for the clear purpose of assessing the current institutionalisation status of diversity outreach in 127 key universities from the Academic Ranking of World Universities based on the opinions of diversity outreach managers and the information published on institutional websites, in turn measuring compliance with various indicators. A qualitative analysis of the institutional statements, the goals sought through strategic plans and the definitions of diversity itself was also conducted. The evidence reveals the early stage of the institutionalisation process in universities on account of the low percentage obtained for the proposed indicators. Furthermore, the study failed to exhibit significant differences in this process in terms of the institutional ownership or position held in the ranking; however, more prominent progress was noted in the North-American region when geographical differences were taken into account, likely as a result of the historical background in the advocacy for equal opportunities. Lastly, a change of approach to the conceptualisation of diversity is suggested in favour of equality and social justice.This study was supported by the Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, State Plan for R&D (Grant number EDU2017-82862-R)

Maternal urinary concentrations of bisphenol A during pregnancy are associated with global DNA methylation in cord blood of newborns in the “NELA” birth cohort

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) set a public health risk through disruption of normal physiological processes. The toxicoepigeneticmechanisms of developmental exposure to common EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA), are poorly known. The present study aimed to evaluate associations between perinatal maternal urinary concentrations of BPA, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) and LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear elements) and Alu (short interspersed nuclear elements, SINEs) DNA methylation levels in newborns, as surrogate markers of global DNA methylation. Data come from 318 mother-child pairs of the `Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma´ (NELA) birth cohort. Urinary bisphenol concentrationwas measured by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. DNA methylation was quantitatively assessed by bisulphite pyrosequencing on 3 LINEs and 5 SINEs. Unadjusted linear regression analyses showed that higher concentration ofmaternal urinary BPA in 24th week's pregnancy was associated with an increase in LINE-1 methylation in all newborns (p = 0.01) and, particularly, in male newborns (p = 0.03). These associations remained in full adjusted models [beta = 0.09 (95 % CI = 0.03; 0.14) for all newborns; and beta= 0.10 (95 % CI = 0.03; 0.17) for males], including a non-linear association for female newborns as well (p-trend=0.003). No associations were found between maternal concentrations of bisphenol and Alu sequences. Our results suggest that exposure to environmental levels of BPA may be associated with a modest increase in LINE-1 methylation -as a relevant marker of epigenomic stability- during human fetal development. However, any effects on global DNA methylation are likely to be small, and of uncertain biological significance.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Fondos FEDER MS14/00046 CP14/00046 PIE15/00051 PI16/00422 FI17/00086 PI19/00863Fundacion Seneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnologia Region de Murcia 20877/PI/18Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN)Spanish Government FPU18/01990ISCIII, Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and Fondos FEDER MS14/00046 CPII19/0001

Characterization of the thermal behavior, mechanical resistance, and reaction to fire of totora (Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Sojak) panels and their potential use as a sustainable construction material

The extraction and use of construction materials generate an impact on the environment due to human activity. Facing these problems requires the development of new alternatives that support changes toward sustainable construction. The development of materials using natural resources creates an important opportunity to reduce the demand for energy, such as the energy used in manufacturing materials. This will contribute to the reduction of exhausting nonrenewable resources and waste production. The objective of this study is to develop a new kind of thermal insulation out of natural vegetation. In this case, using totora (Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Sojak), which is an aquatic plant that grows in Lake Titicaca. Panels were made from both shredded and whole totora. These panels could be used to improve the thermal comfort inside houses in the high Andes region of Peru, where there are extreme variations in temperature. Studies have demonstrated that one of the characteristics of this plant is its low thermal conductivity, which reveals its potential for insulation. Considering which variables exist that affect the thermal efficiency of an insulating material, flexural tests, air permeability, water vapor permeability, and fire resistance tests were done.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Integral (VOCs, CO2, mercaptans and H2S) photosynthetic biogas upgrading using innovative biogas and digestate supply strategies

Producción CientíficaThe performance of a pilot high rate algal pond (HRAP) interconnected with a biogas absorption column during the simultaneous upgrading of biogas and treatment of digestate was evaluated under two innovative biogas and nutrient supply strategies. Process operation with biogas supply during the night at a liquid recirculation/biogas ratio of 0.5 to prevent N2 and O2 stripping resulted in a biomethane complying with most international regulations for injection into natural gas grids (99.1 ± 1% CH4, 0.5 ± 0.2% CO2, 0.6 ± 0.5% N2 and 0.07 ± 0.08% O2). The potential of this technology to remove methyl mercaptan (MeSH), toluene and hexane from biogas (typically present at trace levels) was assessed, for the first time, with removal efficiencies under steady-state correlating with pollutant hydrophobicity (7 ± 7% for hexane, 66 ± 4% for MeSH and 98 ± 1% for toluene). Finally, the supply of digestate during the dark period shifted both microalgae population structure and biomass composition in the HRAP without a significant impact on biomethane quality. Overall, the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from digestate in the HRAP was almost complete (96–99%) regardless of the nutrient supply strategy.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad - FEDER (Proyect CTM2015-70442-R and Red Novedar)Junta de Castilla y León (UIC71)Mexican Secretary of Marine (SEMAR-Conacyt 207151) and Fondo Sectorial CONACyT-SENER, CEMIE-Bio project No. 24700

Immune modulation by inhibitors of the HO system

The heme oxygenase (HO) system involves three isoforms of this enzyme, HO-1, HO-2, and HO-3. The three of them display the same catalytic activity, oxidating the heme group to produce biliverdin, ferrous iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). HO-1 is the isoform most widely studied in proinflammatory diseases because treatments that overexpress this enzyme promote the generation of anti-inflammatory products. However, neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) derived from HO overexpression led to the development of inhibitors, such as those based on metaloproto-and meso-porphyrins inhibitors with competitive activity. Further, non-competitive inhibitors have also been identified, such as synthetic and natural imidazole-dioxolane-based, small synthetic molecules, inhibitors of the enzyme regulation pathway, and genetic engineering using iRNA or CRISPR cas9. Despite most of the applications of the HO inhibitors being related to metabolic diseases, the beneficial effects of these molecules in immune-mediated diseases have also emerged. Different medical implications, including cancer, Alzheimer´s disease, and infections, are discussed in this article and as to how the selective inhibition of HO isoforms may contribute to the treatment of these ailments.Fil: Fernández Fierro, Ayleen. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Funes, Samanta Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Rios, Mariana. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Covián, Camila. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: González, Jorge. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Kalergis, Alexis M.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chil

A meta-analysis of pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index and placental DNA methylation identifies 27 CpG sites with implications for mother-child health

Higher maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) is associated with increased neonatal morbidity, as well as with pregnancy complications and metabolic outcomes in offspring later in life. The placenta is a key organ in fetal development and has been proposed to act as a mediator between the mother and different health outcomes in children. The overall aim of the present work is to investigate the association of ppBMI with epigenomewide placental DNA methylation (DNAm) in 10 studies from the PACE consortium, amounting to 2631 mother-child pairs. We identify 27 CpG sites at which we observe placental DNAm variations of up to 2.0% per 10 ppBMI-unit. The CpGs that are differentially methylated in placenta do not overlap with CpGs identified in previous studies in cord blood DNAm related to ppBMI. Many of the identified CpGs are located in open sea regions, are often close to obesity-related genes such as GPX1 and LGR4 and altogether, are enriched in cancer and oxidative stress pathways. Our findings suggest that placental DNAm could be one of the mechanisms by which maternal obesity is associated with metabolic health outcomes in newborns and children, although further studies will be needed in order to corroborate these findings.French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers (INSU)Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)European CommissionMinistry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN)Spanish Government FJC2018-036729European Development FundEuropean Social Fund (ESF

Análise política do programa de controle da dengue em Morelos, México

OBJECTIVE: To analyze municipal measures implemented to control the dengue epidemic, giving priority to the functions of intersectoral coordination, policy strengthening and community participation. METHODS: The observational study was performed in Morelos, Mexico in 2007. Data collected in interviews and direct observations were submitted to contents analysis and policy mapping. Policy Maker software was used to evaluate the values assigned to the stakeholders' performance (i.e., high, medium and low criteria) and to their role (actions undertaken for surveillance, control or management). A strategic analysis of opportunities and challenges regarding public policies and dengue control was conducted. RESULTS: The legal framework indicates that the approach to the dengue epidemic should be an intersectoral response. However, the burden of activities in terms of financial and human resources tends to fall on local health services, which contrasts with the contribution of other sectors (e.g., water and sanitation) that do not recognize their responsibilities. A high degree of operational feasibility links, in terms of optimization of resources and objectives fulfillment was detected, particularly among health authorities at state, jurisdictional and municipal levels. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach and strengthening of policy stewardship may allow a more efficient response to dengue outbreaks, sustained by intersectoral coordination and the active participation of the affected population.OBJETIVO: Analizar medidas municipales implementadas para el control de la epidemia del dengue, sobretodo las de coordinación sectorial, gobernanza y participación de grupos sociales. MÉTODOS: Estudio de observación, realizado en Morelos, México, 2007. Los datos colectados en entrevistas y observaciones directas fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido y mapeo político. El software Policy Marker fue utilizado para evaluar los pesos atribuidos a los datos de desempeño (e.g. criterios alto, medio y bajo) y el papel de actores (acciones realizadas sean ellas de vigilancia, control o administrativas). Se realizó análisis estratégico de las oportunidades y desafíos en el cumplimiento de las políticas públicas y control del dengue. RESULTADOS: Las bases jurídicas indican que la respuesta a la epidemia es una tarea multisectorial. Sin embargo, la respuesta está centrada en actividades de los servicios de la salud, que están forzados a dar mayor apoyo financiero y derivar los recursos humanos necesarios, en contraste con la contribución de otros sectores (e.g. agua y saneamiento básico), que desconocen sus responsabilidades. El sector de la salud presenta alto nivel de factibilidad para la vinculación intra?institucional, en términos de optimización de recursos y cumplimiento de objetivos, particularmente entre autoridades de salud en los niveles estatal, jurisdiccional, municipal y local. CONCLUSIONES: El abordaje multidisciplinario y el fortalecimiento de las responsabilidades políticas permitirán la respuesta eficaz ante la epidemia del dengue, sustentada en la coordinación sectorial e involucramiento activo de la población afectada.OBJETIVO: Analisar medidas municipais implementadas para o controle da epidemia da dengue, sobretudo as de coordenação setorial, governança e participação de grupos sociais. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, realizado em Morelos, México, 2007. Os dados coletados em entrevistas e observações diretas foram submetidos a análise de conteúdo e mapeamento político. O software Policy Maker foi utilizado para avaliar os pesos atribuídos aos dados do desempenho (i.e., critérios alto, médio e baixo) e papel de atores (ações realizadas, sejam elas de vigilância, controle, sejam administrativas). Foi realizada análise estratégica das oportunidades e desafios no cumprimento das políticas públicas e controle da dengue. RESULTADOS: As bases jurídicas indicam que a resposta à epidemia é uma tarefa multissetorial. Porém, a resposta está centrada em atividades dos serviços da saúde, que estão forçados a dar o maior apoio financeiro e a derivar os recursos humanos necessários, em contraste com a contribuição de outros setores (e.g., água e saneamento básico), que desconhecem as suas responsabilidades. O setor da saúde apresenta alto nível de factibilidade para a vinculação intra-institucional, em termos de otimização de recursos e cumprimento de objetivos, particularmente entre autoridades de saúde nos níveis estatal, jurisdicional, municipal e local. CONCLUSÕES: A abordagem multidisciplinar e o fortalecimento das responsabilidades políticas permitirão a resposta eficaz perante a epidemia da dengue, sustentada na coordenação setorial e envolvimento ativo da população afetada

Modeling of the Production of Lipid Microparticles Using PGSS® Technique

Solid lipid microparticles (SLMPs) are attractive carriers as delivery systems as they are stable, easy to manufacture and can provide controlled release of bioactive agents and increase their efficacy and/or safety. Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions (PGSS®) technique is a solvent-free technology to produce SLMPs, which involves the use of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) at mild pressures and temperatures for the melting of lipids and atomization into particles. The determination of the key processing variables is crucial in PGSS® technique to obtain reliable and reproducible microparticles, therefore the modelling of SLMPs production process and variables control are of great interest to obtain quality therapeutic systems. In this work, the melting point depression of a commercial lipid (glyceryl monostearate, GMS) under compressed CO2 was studied using view cell experiments. Based on an unconstrained D-optimal design for three variables (nozzle diameter, temperature and pressure), SLMPs were produced using the PGSS® technique. The yield of production was registered and the particles characterized in terms of particle size distribution. Variable modeling was carried out using artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic integrated into neurofuzzy software. Modeling results highlight the main effect of temperature to tune the mean diameter SLMPs, whereas the pressure-nozzle diameter interaction is the main responsible in the SLMPs size distribution and in the PGSS® production yieldThis work was supported by Xunta de Galicia [ED431F 2016/010, ED431C 2020/17 & GRC ED431C 2020/10], MCIUN [RTI2018-094131-A-I00], Agrupación Estratégica de Materiales [AeMAT- BIOMEDCO2, ED431E 2018/08], Agencia Estatal de Investigación [AEI] and FEDER funds. C.A.G.-G. acknowledges to MINECO for a Ramón y Cajal Fellowship [RYC2014-15239]. Work carried out in the frame of the COST Action CA18224 (GREENERING) and funded by the European CommissionS

Telomere length in the two extremes of abnormal fetal growth and the programming effect of maternal arterial hypertension

We tested the hypothesis that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with birth weight in both extremes of abnormal fetal growth: small (SGA) and large for gestational age newborns (LGA). Clinical and laboratory variables of the mothers and the neonates were explored; 45 newborns with appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), 12 SGA and 12 LGA were included. Whether the differences might be explained by variation in OBFC1 (rs9419958) and CTC1 (rs3027234) genes associated with LTL was determined. A significant association between birth weight and LTL was observed; LTL was significantly shorter in LGA newborns (1.01 ± 0.12) compared with SGA (1.73 ± 0.19) p < 0.005, mean ± SE. Maternal (Spearman R = −0.6, p = 0.03) and neonatal LTL (R = −0.25, p = 0.03) were significantly and inversely correlated with maternal history of arterial hypertension in previous gestations. Neonatal LTL was not significantly associated with either rs9419950 or rs3027234, suggesting that the association between neonatal LTL and birth weight is not influenced by genetic variation in genes that modify the interindividual LTL. In conclusion, telomere biology seems to be modulated by abnormal fetal growth; modifications in telomere length might be programmed by an adverse environment in utero.Fil: Tellechea, Mariana Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Gianotti, Tomás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Alvariñas, Jorge. Policlínico Bancario; ArgentinaFil: González, Claudio Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Sookoian, Silvia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Pirola, Carlos José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; Argentin