Experimental evaluation of pressure-sensitive foot insoles in the field of wearable robotics

The aim of this project is the experimental evaluation of pressure-sensitive foot insoles in the field of wearable robotics. This device is based on a novel pressure sensitive foot insole for real-time monitoring of plantar pressure distribution during walking. I evaluated the performance of these foot insoles in the context of fall detection for wearable exoskeletons. In this study kinematic measurements on the upper body were provided by means of an IMU attached at the back above the waist and on the lower body pressure sensitive insoles, to improve the accuracy of project estimates. Following a model-driven approach, I suggest to use an observer, based on a dynamic model, together with a sequence of kinematic measurements

¿Un Videojuego en la Biblioteca?

En este artículo vamos a ver la trayectoria que ha seguido en los últimos años la biblioteca, con un acercamiento progresivo a sus usuarios acentuado en el último año. Y siguiendo esta línea nuestra intención es proponer nuevas ideas que lleguen al sector más alejado dentro de la comunidad universitaria, los estudiantes. Nuestra propuesta se centra en la creación de un videojuego que enseñe cuales son los recursos disponibles en la biblioteca y el uso que pueden darles para sus estudios. Para ello además analizamos el caso cercano de la universidad Carlos III en Second Life, con la intención de ver cómo fue su experiencia

Comparative 16SrDNA Gene-Based Microbiota Profiles of the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from a Shellfish Farm (Ligurian Sea, Italy)

The pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis are two widely farmed bivalve species which show contrasting behaviour in relation to microbial diseases, with C. gigas being more susceptible and M. galloprovincialis being generally resistant. In a recent study, we showed that different susceptibility to infection exhibited by these two bivalve species may depend on their different capability to kill invading pathogens (e.g., Vibrio spp.) through the action of haemolymph components. Specific microbial-host interactions may also impact bivalve microbiome structure and further influence susceptibility/resistance to microbial diseases. To further investigate this concept, a comparative study of haemolymph and digestive gland 16SrDNA gene-based bacterial microbiota profiles in C. gigas and M. galloprovincialis co-cultivated at the same aquaculture site was carried out using pyrosequencing. Bacterial communities associated with bivalve tissues (hemolymph and digestive gland) were significantly different from those of seawater, and were dominated by relatively few genera such as Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas. In general, Vibrio accounted for a larger fraction of the microbiota in C. gigas (on average 1.7-fold in the haemolymph) compared to M. galloprovincialis, suggesting that C. gigas may provide better conditions for survival for these bacteria, including potential pathogenic species such as V. aestuarianus. Vibrios appeared to be important members of C. gigas and M. galloprovincialis microbiota and might play a contrasting role in health and disease of bivalve species. Accordingly, microbiome analyses performed on bivalve specimens subjected to commercial depuration highlighted the ineffectiveness of such practice in removing Vibrio species from bivalve tissues

La garantía de indemnidad del trabajador que reclama el reconocimiento de derechos legales de conciliación

La conciliación es esencial para sustentar el Estado del bienestar propio del Siglo XXI. Su consecución efectiva se erige como un gran reto que sería inalcanzable si no se tutela correctamente a los trabajadores que pretenden su ejercicio. El objeto del presente trabajo es analizar las posibilidades de defensa que tiene un trabajador/a cuando tras la reclamación del reconocimiento de sus derechos legales de conciliación familiar, personal y laboral se ve represaliado por empresario, la garantía de indemnidad. Tutela judicial que se realiza considerando la dimensión constitucional de estos derechos legales de conciliación asentada en el derecho a la no discriminación, concretamente por circunstancias familiares y personales. El estudio parte de una base teórica en la cual se conceptualiza la conciliación y se establece la evolución de su regulación legislativa, resumiendo los principales puntos de interés que se han ido suscitando y profundizando en su dimensión constitucional. Por último, se analiza la garantía de indemnidad con sus acepciones y su especial configuración jurisprudencial y regulación. Relacionándola con los derechos de conciliación y estableciendo su extensión, metodología de ejercicio y efectos de este.Departamento de Derecho Mercantil, Derecho del Trabajo e Internacional PrivadoGrado en Derech

Effects of Megaplasmid Loss on Growth of Neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum Strains and Botulinum Neurotoxin Type E Expression

Clostridium butyricum strains that atypically produce the botulinum neurotoxin type E (BoNT/E) possess a megaplasmid of unknown functions in their genome. In this study, we cured two botulinum neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains of their megaplasmids, and compared the obtained megaplasmid-cured strains to their respective wild-type parental strains. Our results showed that the megaplasmids do not confer beta-lactam resistance on the neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains, although they carry several putative beta-lactamase genes. Instead, we found that the megaplasmids are essential for growth of the neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains at the relatively low temperature of 15°C, and are also relevant for growth of strains under limiting pH and salinity conditions, as well as under favorable environmental conditions. Moreover, the presence of the megaplasmids was associated with increased transcript levels of the gene encoding BoNT/E in the C. butyricum type E strains, indicating that the megaplasmids likely contain transcriptional regulators. However, the levels of BoNT/E in the supernatants of the cured and uncured strains were similar after 24 h and 48 h culture, suggesting that expression of BoNT/E in the C. butyricum type E strains is not ultimately controlled by the megaplasmids. Together, our results reveal that the C. butyricum type E megaplasmids exert pleiotropic effects on the growth of their microbial hosts under optimal and limiting environmental conditions, and also highlight the possibility of original regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression of BoNT/E

From Osteoclast Differentiation to Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Molecular and Clinical Insights

Bone physiology relies on the delicate balance between resorption and formation of its tissue. Bone resorption depends on a process called osteoclastogenesis in which bone-resorbing cells, i.e., osteoclasts, are produced by the differentiation of more undifferentiated progenitors and precursors. This process is governed by two main factors, monocyte colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL). While the former exerts a proliferating effect on progenitors/precursors, the latter triggers a differentiation effect on more mature cells of the same lineage. Bone homeostasis requires a perfect space–time coordination of the involved signals. When osteoclastogenesis is poorly balanced with the differentiation of the bone forming counterparts, i.e., osteoblasts, physiological bone remodelling can turn into a pathological state, causing the systematic disruption of bone tissue which results in osteopenia or osteolysis. Examples of these conditions are represented by osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, bone metastasis, and multiple myeloma. Therefore, drugs targeting osteoclastogenesis, such as bisphosphonates and an anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody, have been developed and are currently used in the treatment of such diseases. Despite their demonstrated therapeutic efficacy, these agents are unfortunately not devoid of side effects. In this regard, a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been recently correlated with anti-resorptive therapy. In this review we will address the involvement of osteoclasts and osteoclast-related factors in the pathogenesis of ONJ. It is to be hoped that a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying bone remodelling will help in the design a medical therapeutic approach for ONJ as an alternative to surgical procedures.Bone physiology relies on the delicate balance between resorption and formation of its tissue. Bone resorption depends on a process called osteoclastogenesis in which bone-resorbing cells, i.e., osteoclasts, are produced by the differentiation of more undifferentiated progenitors and precursors. This process is governed by two main factors, monocyte colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL). While the former exerts a proliferating effect on progenitors/precursors, the latter triggers a differentiation effect on more mature cells of the same lineage. Bone homeostasis requires a perfect space–time coordination of the involved signals. When osteoclastogenesis is poorly balanced with the differentiation of the bone forming counterparts, i.e., osteoblasts, physiological bone remodelling can turn into a pathological state, causing the systematic disruption of bone tissue which results in osteopenia or osteolysis. Examples of these conditions are represented by osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, bone metastasis, and multiple myeloma. Therefore, drugs targeting osteoclastogenesis, such as bisphosphonates and an anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody, have been developed and are currently used in the treatment of such diseases. Despite their demonstrated therapeutic efficacy, these agents are unfortunately not devoid of side effects. In this regard, a condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been recently correlated with anti-resorptive therapy. In this review we will address the involvement of osteoclasts and osteoclast-related factors in the pathogenesis of ONJ. It is to be hoped that a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying bone remodelling will help in the design a medical therapeutic approach for ONJ as an alternative to surgical procedures

Susceptibility to Infection and Immune Response in Insular and Continental Populations of Egyptian Vulture: Implications for Conservation

BACKGROUND:A generalized decline in populations of Old World avian scavengers is occurring on a global scale. The main cause of the observed crisis in continental populations of these birds should be looked for in the interaction between two factors -- changes in livestock management, including the increased use of pharmaceutical products, and disease. Insular vertebrates seem to be especially susceptible to diseases induced by the arrival of exotic pathogens, a process often favored by human activities, and sedentary and highly dense insular scavengers populations may be thus especially exposed to infection by such pathogens. Here, we compare pathogen prevalence and immune response in insular and continental populations of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture under similar livestock management scenarios, but with different ecological and evolutionary perspectives. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Adult, immature, and fledgling vultures from the Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula were sampled to determine a) the prevalence of seven pathogen taxa and b) their immunocompetence, as measured by monitoring techniques (white blood cells counts and immunoglobulins). In the Canarian population, pathogen prevalence was higher and, in addition, an association among pathogens was apparent, contrary to the situation detected in continental populations. Despite that, insular fledglings showed lower leukocyte profiles than continental birds and Canarian fledglings infected by Chlamydophila psittaci showed poorer cellular immune response. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:A combination of environmental and ecological factors may contribute to explain the high susceptibility to infection found in insular vultures. The scenario described here may be similar in other insular systems where populations of carrion-eaters are in strong decline and are seriously threatened. Higher susceptibility to infection may be a further factor contributing decisively to the extinction of island scavengers in the present context of global change and increasing numbers of emerging infectious diseases

A new look at an old drug: Neuroprotective effects and therapeutic potentials of lithium salts

Increasing evidence highlights bipolar disorder as being associated with impaired neurogenesis, cellular plasticity, and resiliency, as well as with cell atrophy or loss in specific brain regions. This has led most recent research to focus on the possible neuroprotective effects of medications, and particularly interesting findings have emerged for lithium. A growing body of evidence from preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies has in fact documented its neuroprotective effects from different insults acting on cellular signaling pathways, both preventing apoptosis and increasing neurotrophins and cell-survival molecules. Furthermore, positive effects of lithium on neurogenesis, brain remodeling, angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells functioning, and inflammation have been revealed, with a key role played through the inhibition of the glycogen synthase kinase-3, a serine/threonine kinase implicated in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders. These recent evidences suggest the potential utility of lithium in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, and hypoxic-ischemic/traumatic brain injury, with positive results at even lower lithium doses than those traditionally considered to be antimanic. The aim of this review is to briefly summarize the potential benefits of lithium salts on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration, emphasizing preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting new therapeutic potentials of this drug beyond its mood stabilizing properties

Impact of a hospice rapid response service on preferred place of death, and costs

Background: Many people with a terminal illness would prefer to die at home. A new palliative rapid response service (RRS) provided by a large hospice provider in South East England was evaluated (2010) to provide evidence of impact on achieving preferred place of death and costs. The RRS was delivered by a team of trained health care assistants and available 24/7. The purpose of this study was to (i) compare the characteristics of RRS users and non-users, (ii) explore differences in the proportions of users and non-users dying in the place of their choice, (iii) monitor the whole system service utilisation of users and non-users, and compare costs. Methods: All hospice patients who died with a preferred place of death recorded during an 18 month period were included. Data (demographic, preferences for place of death) were obtained from hospice records. Dying in preferred place was modelled using stepwise logistic regression analysis. Service use data (period between referral to hospice and death) were obtained from general practitioners, community providers, hospitals, social services, hospice, and costs calculated using validated national tariffs. Results: Of 688 patients referred to the hospice when the RRS was operational, 247 (35.9 %) used it. Higher proportions of RRS users than non-users lived in their own homes with a co-resident carer (40.3 % vs. 23.7 %); more non-users lived alone or in residential care (58.8 % vs. 76.3 %). Chances of dying in the preferred place were enhanced 2.1 times by being a RRS user, compared to a non-user, and 1.5 times by having a co-resident carer, compared to living at home alone or in a care home. Total service costs did not differ between users and non-users, except when referred to hospice very close to death (users had higher costs). Conclusions: Use of the RRS was associated with increased likelihood of dying in the preferred place. The RRS is cost neutral