Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Genetics and epigenetics play a key role in the development of several diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Family studies demonstrate that first degree relatives of patients with NAFLD are at a much higher risk of the disease than the general population. The development of the Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) technology has allowed the identification of numerous genetic polymorphisms involved in the evolution of diseases (e.g., PNPLA3, MBOAT7). On the other hand, epigenetic changes interact with inherited risk factors to determine an individual’s susceptibility to NAFLD. Modifications of the histones amino-terminal ends are key factors in the maintenance of chromatin structure and gene expression (cAMP-responsive element binding protein H (CREBH) or SIRT1). Activation of SIRT1 showed potential against the physiological mechanisms related to NAFLD. Abnormal DNA methylation represents a starting point for cancer development in NAFLD patients. Besides, the evaluation of circulating miRNA profiles represents a promising approach to assess and non-invasively monitor liver disease severity. To date, there is no approved pharmacologic therapy for NAFLD and the current treatment remains weight loss with lifestyle modification and exercise. In this review, the status of research into relevant genetic and epigenetic modifiers of NAFLD progression will be discusse

Current contents : análisis de una experiencia

In the present economic conditions of the acquisition of important scientific journals becomes difficult, the possibility of compensating such situation with the obtaining of reprints through the Current Contents is presented

Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) have emerged in the last few years as one of the most promising therapeutic cell sources and, in particular, as an important tool for regenerative medicine of skeletal tissues. Although they present a more restricted potency than Embryonic Stem (ES) cells, the use of hMCS in regenerative medicine avoids many of the drawbacks characteristic of ES cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. The challenge in using these cells lies into developing precise protocols for directing cellular differentiation to generate a specific cell lineage. In order to achieve this goal, it is of the upmost importance to be able to control de process of fate decision and lineage commitment. This process requires the coordinate regulation of different molecular layers at transcriptional, posttranscriptional and translational levels. At the transcriptional level, switching on and off different sets of genes is achieved not only through transcriptional regulators, but also through their interplay with epigenetic modifiers. It is now well known that epigenetic changes take place in an orderly way through development and are critical in the determination of lineage-specific differentiation. More importantly, alteration of these epigenetic changes would, in many cases, lead to disease generation and even tumour formation. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate how epigenetic factors, through their interplay with transcriptional regulators, control lineage commitment in hMSCs

Características de la comunicación entre los adolescentes y su familia

Los contextos sociales y familiares han cambiado mucho, y seguirán cambiando a una gran velocidad. Estos cambios determinan las formas de comunicación que se establecen tanto dentro como fuera del entorno familiar. Sin embargo, la relación entre padres e hijos sigue siendo la primera forma de comunicación, y representa un intercambio y la transmisión de los elementos y valores propios de la humanidad. A mayor capacidad de comunicación, mayor capacidad de enriquecimiento personal. Por ello, es fundamental que durante la adolescencia haya una buena comunicación entre los adolescentes y sus progenitores, así como entre los demás miembros que convivan en el hogar. En el trabajo que aquí se presenta, se aborda la importancia de la familia y los cambios que ésta ha ido experimentado en estos últimos tiempos, así como los aspectos relacionados con la comunicación intrafamiliar cuando hay hijos adolescentes. Se expone una investigación con los resultados obtenidos sobre las principales figuras familiares a las que acuden los adolescentes para comunicarse. Para la realización de la misma, se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario, y se realizó un grupo de discusión que permitió contrastar los datos cuantitativos. Los resultados revelan algunos datos interesantes sobre las características de la comunicación de los adolescentes con sus familias.A good communication among young people and their parents, as well as among the rest of the people sharing a home, is vital. Social and familiar contexts have changed considerably and they will continue changing at a quick pace. These changes determine the communication modes that are established both inside and outside the familiar setting. However, the relationship between parents and children is still the main means of communication and it represents an exchange and transmission of the intrinsic elements and values of humanity. The better the capacity to communicate, the better the capacity of personal enrichment. In this article, the importance of the family and the changes that this has experienced in the last times is dealt with, as well as the aspects related to the intra familiar communication. A research with the results obtained regarding the main familiar figures to whom the young people go to communicate is presented here. In order to carry the research out, a questionnaire was designed and applied, and a discussion group which allowed contrasting the quantitative data was developed. The results reveal interesting data about the characteristics of the communication between young people and their families

Abogando por la integración y eficiencia del sistema estadístico público

Texto en galego e españolOpiniónNo

The therapeutic use of the dog in Spain: a review from a historical and cross-cultural perspective of a change in the human-dog relationship

En España, los estudios sobre los conocimientos tradicionales relacionados con la biodiversidad se han centrado en las plantas vasculares. Por este motivo, nuestra revisión se concentra en la identificación e inventario de recursos zooterapéuticos, en particular los que involucran al perro (Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) a lo largo del siglo XX hasta el presente. Se realizó una revisión sistemática cualitativa en los campos de etnomedicina, etnozoología y folklore. Se realizaron búsquedas automatizadas en las bases de datos y bibliotecas digitales más importantes. Todos los trabajos relacionados fueron examinados a fondo y se obtuvo información de 55 fuentes documentales. Hemos enumerado un total de 63 remedios para tratar y / o prevenir 49 enfermedades y afecciones humanas. En 20 de los informes documentados se utilizó el animal completo y se recomendó el uso de crías en 12 casos. La saliva fue el elemento de curación en 10 remedios, y las heces fueron la base terapéutica para nueve, mientras que la leche de perra fue para siete de ellos. Piel, piel y carne fueron los siguientes en importancia. Actualmente, los remedios curativos basados en el uso del perro no forman parte de la etnomedicina española y considerarlos así sería ahistórico. De hecho, la costumbre de permitir que un perro lama las heridas para ayudar en su curación y cicatrización ha sobrevivido en solo unos pocos grupos de personas. Sin embargo, podemos afirmar que el uso etnomédico del perro existe y se ha transferido a la "terapia asistida por animales".In Spain, studies about traditional knowledge related to biodiversity have focused on vascular plants. For this reason, our review concentrates on the identification and inventory of zootherapeutic resources, particularly those involving the dog (Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) throughout the twentieth century to the present. A qualitative systematic review in the fields of ethnomedicine, ethnozoology and folklore was made. Automated searches in the most important databases and digital libraries were performed. All related works were examined thoroughly and information was obtained from 55 documentary sources. We have listed a total of 63 remedies to treat and/or prevent 49 human illnesses and conditions. In 20 of the documented reports the whole animal was used and the use of pups was recommended in 12 cases. Saliva was the healing element in 10 remedies, and faeces were the therapeutic basis for nine, while bitch’s milk was for seven of them. Skin, fur and meat were next in significance. Currently, healing remedies based on the use of the dog are not part of Spanish ethnomedicine and considering them so would be ahistorical. Indeed, the custom of allowing a dog to lick one’s wounds to assist in their healing and cicatrisation has survived in only a few groups of people. However, we can state that the ethnomedical use of the dog exists and has been transferred to “animal-assisted therapy”.peerReviewe

Retos: discapacidad intelectual y el proceso de envejecimiento

A través de la investigación en la que se ha estudiado la realidad de 117 personas con discapacidad intelectual (que acuden a los servicios de centro de día, centro especial de empleo y centro ocupacional);35 familiares y 49 profesionales, se han analizado las características y la situación actual de las personas con discapacidad intelectual en proceso de envejecimiento, con edades superiores a los 40 años, de la comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria; así como también, se han planteado las necesidades que tienen en cuanto a calidad de vida, así como las de su entorno inmediato; familias y profesionales. Con todo ello, se han elaborado criterios y medidas de evaluación para la mejora de la calidad de los servicios y atención.Through the investigation in which it has studied the reality of 117 people with intellectual disabilities who flock to the services of day center, special center of employment and center occupational, 35 family members and 49 professionals. We have analyzed the characteristics and the current situation of people with intellectual disabilities in aging process, with aged over 40 years, of the Autonomous Region of Cantabria; as well as, have been raised the needs in terms of quality of life, as well as those of its immediate surroundings; families and professionals. With all this, have been developed criteria and evaluation measures for improving the quality of services and attention.notPeerReviewe

Simulating the effects of extreme dry and wet years on the water use of flooding-irrigated maize in a mediterranean landplane

The final editorial version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783774The effects of years of extreme rainfall events on maize water-use under traditional flooding irrigation in a Mediterranean landplane were estimated through a simulation assessment; combining a weather generator with an agrohydrological simulation model. Two options: “Fully Irrigation” and “Deficit Irrigation” were considered in the simulations as the extreme water-management situations. Besides, a 2-m depth shallow water table and Free Drainage were considered as the typical extreme situations that can be found at the bottom of the simulated soil layer. Thirty “Dry” (DY) and “Wet” (WY) years were randomly selected from the weather generator output. The model SWAP was used to simulate the Relative Transpiration (RT), i.e. ratio between actual and maximum maize transpiration, Actual Maize Evapotranspiration (ETC), Percolated Water and Capillary Rising during wet and dry years and for each of the irrigation and bottom condition options. According to the modelling results, average mean RT is about 80% and 90% in dry and wet years, respectively. RT and ETC variability are very high under dry conditions although such variability is notably reduced if a suitable irrigation option is considered. Capillary rising can play a very important role during dry years in those places where irrigation is not enough, but water table is relatively shallower. On the other hand, a shallower water table can carry out RT reductions during wet years, due to water excess, although these negative effects are comparatively lower than those produced by rain scarcity. Besides, percolated water during wet years is very high, particularly in well irrigated farms.Peer reviewe

Tourist destination image formed by the cinema : Barcelona positioning through the feature film Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The image formed by the movie industry often represents an added value for certain destinations because it works as a real tool for promotion at an international level and as a factor that induces travel. The representations and images of tourist destinations developed through the mass media, such as cinema, television and literature play a truly significant role which influences in the process of vacation spot decision. These media are very influential in promoting, confirming and reinforcing images, opinions and the destination identity, and play an outstanding role in the image construction of tourist destinations. In other words, the way in which the destination is represented in films and television series can have an enormous influence worldwide in perpetuating a particular image and vision of the country. Barcelona as a destination, in recent years, has been positioning itself in a number of full‑length feature films to be internationally promoted. The latest cinematographic promotional action can be witnessed in the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (Woody Allen, 2008), which has contributed to placing this city strategically in the mind of the potential consumer. The present paper analyses the principal images film lovers have perceived in this destination through the film

Envejecimiento saludable. Aportaciones para la activación cerebral

Aging is a universal matter (sooner or later everybody can be affected). The increase of elderly people is a success and a challenge at the same time for our society. The challenge is the need of guaranteeing the physical, psychological and social well-being of elderly people. The goal is to extend quality and life expectancy of advanced ages. People’s life quality is not a value that can be reached once and for good. It is a value that is acquired and developed everyday impregnating their life projects. Activity is key for healthy aging. Nowadays, we consider active aging as a period in which retirement does not mean inactivity. It is no longer a retirement from something but a retirement of something. Active aging is positive for everybody, not only the person involved but society in general. In order to achieve this, it is crucial to adopt preventive measures such as promoting healthy lifestyles, effective intervention programmes individually centred. With this double vision, we should strive to preserve their abilities and, if possible, that they acquire others. From our experience, this work contributes with a series of ideas and concrete proposals to achieve healthy aging and brain activation in elderly people.El envejecimiento es una cuestión de interés universal (más tarde o más temprano puede afectar a todas las personas). El aumento del número de personas mayores es a la vez un éxito y un reto en nuestra sociedad. El reto, es la necesidad de garantizar el bienestar físico, psicológico y social de las personas mayores. El objetivo es extender la calidad y esperanza de vida a edades avanzadas. La calidad de vida de las personas no es un valor que se logra de una vez y para siempre. Es un valor que se va adquiriendo y desarrollando día a día, impregnando su proyecto de vida. La actividad es la clave de un buen envejecimiento. Hoy en día nos planteamos una visión de un envejecimiento activo en el que jubilación no es inactividad. Es retirarse a algo, no retirarse de algo. El envejecimiento activo es positivo para todos, no sólo para la persona, sino también para la sociedad. Para lograrlo resultan claves: impulsar medidas que apuesten por la prevención, a través de la promoción de hábitos de vida saludables, y de programas de intervención eficaces y centrados en la persona. Con esta doble perspectiva, deberemos de esforzarnos en conservar sus habilidades y en la medida de lo posible lograr la adquisición de algunas otras. Desde nuestra experiencia, se aportan en este trabajo, una serie de planteamientos y múltiples propuestas concretas de actuación, como aportación al logro de ese envejecimiento saludable y a una “activación” cerebral de los mayores