The challenges of organizing an international course in Latin America

The Latin American School of Human and Medical Genetics (ELAG) is the main course of its kind in the genetics field in Latin America. Here we describe the main challenges regarding the organization of such event, including how we obtain funding and how we proceed with student selection. Thus, we aim to share our experience with other groups that intend to follow this format to create similar events in other areas in this region of the worl

Paracrine effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells in survival and cytokine expression after 90% partial hepatectomy

Acute liver failure is a complex and fatal disease. Cell-based therapies are a promising alternative therapeutic approach for liver failure due to relatively simple technique and lower cost. The use of semipermeable microcapsules has become an interesting tool for evaluating paracrine effects in vivo. In this study, we aimed to assess the paracrine effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) encapsulated in sodium alginate to treat acute liver failure in an animal model of 90% partial hepatectomy (90% PH). Encapsulated BMMC were able to increase 10-day survival without enhancing liver regeneration markers. Gene expression of Il-6 and Il-10 in the remnant liver was markedly reduced at 6 h after 90% PH in animals receiving encapsulated BMMC compared to controls. This difference, however, was neither reflected by changes in the number of CD68+ cells nor by serum levels of IL6. On the other hand, treated animals presented increased caspase activity and gene expression in the liver. Taken together, these results suggest that BMMC regulate immune response and promote apoptosis in the liver after 90% PH by paracrine factors. These changes ultimately may be related to the higher survival observed in treated animals, suggesting that BMMC may be a promising alternative to treat acute liver failure

ERK 1/2 activation does not contribute to increased survival mediated by bone marrow cells after 90% partial hepatectomy in wistar rats

We investigated the influence of bone marrow cells upon activation of ERK ½ in an animal model of 90% PH. Phosphorylated ERK 1/2 was evaluated by western blot. No differences were found between the groups. Thus, increased survival does not appear to be mediated by ERK 1/2 activation

The beginnings of the Neolithic in the southern Valencian region: on the Cova dels Calderons (La Romana, Alicante)

RESUMEN: El estudio del Neolítico en el Levante de la península Ibérica cuenta con una larga trayectoria investigadora, siendo bien conocido en algunos valles como el Serpis o el Clariano. La excavación de un buen número de yacimientos en cueva y al aire libre ha posibilitado que esta zona sea un referente destacado a escala peninsular y del Mediterráneo occidental. Sin embargo, otras cuencas fluviales muy cercanas como la del río Vinalopó no han contado hasta el momento con suficientes bases secuenciales para su caracterización. Las primeras propuestas, establecidas a partir de los restos materiales hallados en diversos yacimientos al aire libre y en cueva, habían llevado a considerar que el proceso de neolitización se iniciaría a finales del VI milenio cal BC, casi medio siglo después de la presencia de comunidades agrícolas a lo largo del río Serpis. El proceso de implantación neolítica en el Vinalopó debía explicarse, por tanto, como resultado de la expansión poblacional desde el Serpis. Sin embargo, nuevas excavaciones y estudios vienen a ampliar el abanico de posibles explicaciones. Así, a propósito de las evidencias arqueológicas documentadas en la excavación de la Cova dels Calderons (La Romana, Alicante), se exponen nuevos datos sobre la ocupación neolítica, en especial sedimentológicos, paleobotánicos, arqueozoológicos y nuevas dataciones absolutas, que permiten reflexionar sobre el proceso de neolitización de las tierras meridionales valencianas y, más en concreto, de la cuenca del río Vinalopó. Ello permite configurar una nueva hipótesis que viene a considerar que la presencia de grupos neolíticos en dicho territorio es más antigua que lo planteado hasta la fecha. Esta hipótesis, a su vez, lleva a inferir dos nuevos escenarios posibles: o bien, que el momento de llegada de los primeros grupos neolíticos a las tierras del norte de Alicante fue más antiguo de lo propuesto, o bien que la procedencia planteada para las primeras poblaciones neolíticas del sur de Alicante no sea la hasta ahora considerada - origen en cuencas más septentrionales como la del Serpis -, siendo la vía sur la más probable.ABSTRACT: The study of the Neolithic in the Levant of the Iberian Peninsula has a long research trajectory, being well known in some river valleys such as Serpis or Clariano. The excavation of a large number of cave and open-air deposits has made this area an outstanding reference on a peninsular scale and in the western Mediterranean. However, other nearby river basins such as the Vinalopó basin have not yet had sufficient sequential bases for their characterization. The first proposals, established from the material remains found in various open-air sites and in caves, had led to consider that the process of neolithization would begin at the end of the sixth millennium cal BC, almost half a century after the presence of agricultural communities along the Serpis river. The process of Neolithic implantation in the Vinalopó had to be explained, therefore, as a result of the population expansion from the Serpis. However, new excavations and studies come to expand the range of possible explanations. Regarding the archaeological evidence documented during the excavations at Cova dels Calderons (La Romana, Alicante), we present new data, especially sedimentological, paleobotanical, archeozoological and new absolute dates. These allow us to reflect on the neolithization process of the territories in the Southern Valencian region, specifically in the Vinalopó river basin. These data make possible to formulate a new hypothesis which considers that the presence of Neolithic groups in that territory would occur much earlier than it was considered to date. This hypothesis leads us to two new possible scenarios: either the arrival of the first Neolithic groups to the northern areas of Alicante occurred in earlier times, or the origin of the first Neolithic populations in the southern areas of Alicante is not what it has been thought to date -northern basins such as the Serpis river one-. Considering this, the southern route to access these areas seems the most possible option.LABURPENA: Iberiar penintsulako Levante aldean Neolitikoaren azterketak ibilbide luzea du ikerketari dagokionez, eta oso ezagunak dira haran batzuk, hala nola Serpis edo Clariano. Leizean eta aire zabalean aztarnategi kopuru handia induskatu direnez, eremu hori erreferente nabarmena da penintsula mailan eta mendebaldeko Mediterraneoan. Hala ere, oso gertu dauden beste ibai-arro batzuetan, Vinalopó ibaian, esaterako, ez dira orain arte karakterizatu ahal izateko nahikoa oinarri sekuentzial bildu. Aire zabalean eta leizean dauden aztarnategi ugaritan topatutako hondakin material ugaritatik abiatuta egindako lehen proposamenen arabera, uste izan da neolitizazio-prozesua cal BC VI milurte amaieran hasiko zela, Serpis ibaian zehar nekazaritzako komunitateen presentzia baino ia mende erdi geroago. Vinalopóko ezarpen neolitikoaren prozesua, beraz, Serpisetik populazioa zabaldu izanaren ondorioa dela uste da. Baina egindako indusketa eta azterketa berriek azalpen posibleak ugaritu dituzte. Hala, Cova dels Calderons-eko (La Romana, Alacant) indusketan dokumentatutako ebidentzia arkeologikoak direla eta, okupazio neolitikoaren inguruan datu eta datazio absolutu berriak agertu dira, bereziki sedimentologikoak, paleobotanikoak eta arkeozoologikoak. Horrek guztiak Valentziako hegoaldeko lurretako, eta zehatzago, Vinalopó ibai-arroko neolitizazio-prozesuari buruz hausnartzea ahalbidetzen du. Hala, hipotesi berri bat eragin du: lurralde horretan talde neolitikoen presentzia izan zitekeen orain arte planteatutako data baino lehenagotik. Hipotesi horrek, era berean, bi egoera posible berri dakartza: alde batetik, lehen talde neolitikoak Alacant iparraldera proposatutako data baino lehen iritsi izana, edo beste alde batetik, Alacant hegoaldeko lehen populazio neolitikoetarako planteatutako jatorria ez izatea orain arte kontuan hartutakoa (iparralderago dauden lekuetatik etorri izana, adibidez Serpisetik), eta hegoaldeko bidea izatea probableena

Clinical consensus recommendations regarding non-invasive respiratory support in the adult patient with acute respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection

La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) es una infección del tracto respiratorio causada por un nuevo coronavirus emergente que se reconoció por primera vez en Wuhan, China, en diciembre de 2019. Actualmente la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) ha definido la infección como pandemia y existe una situación de emergencia sanitaria y social para el manejo de esta nueva infección. Mientras que la mayoría de las personas con COVID-19 desarrollan solo una enfermedad leve o no complicada, aproximadamente el 14% desarrollan una enfermedad grave que requiere hospitalización y oxígeno, y el 5% pueden requerir ingreso en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. En casos severos, COVID-19 puede complicarse por el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA), sepsis y shock séptico y fracaso multiorgánico. Este documento de consenso se ha preparado sobre directrices basadas en evidencia desarrolladas por un panel multidisciplinario de profesionales médicos de cuatro sociedades científicas españolas (Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias [SEMICYUC], Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica [SEPAR], Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias [SEMES], Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor [SEDAR]) con experiencia en el manejo clínico de pacientes con COVID-19 y otras infecciones virales, incluido el SARS, así como en sepsis y SDRA. El documento proporciona recomendaciones clínicas para el soporte respiratorio no invasivo (ventilación no invasiva, oxigenoterapia de alto flujo con cánula nasal) en cualquier paciente con presentación sospechada o confirmada de COVID-19 con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. Esta guía de consenso debe servir como base para una atención optimizada y garantizar la mejor posibilidad de supervivencia, así como permitir una comparación fiable de las futuras intervenciones terapéuticas de investigación que formen parte de futuros estudios observacionales o de ensayos clínicos.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by a newly emergent coronavirus, that was first recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined the infection as a global pandemic and there is a health and social emergency for the management of this new infection. While most people with COVID-19 develop only mild or uncomplicated illness, approximately 14% develop severe disease that requires hospitalization and oxygen support, and 5% require admission to an intensive care unit. In severe cases, COVID-19 can be complicated by the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock, and multiorgan failure. This consensus document has been prepared on evidence-informed guidelines developed by a multidisciplinary panel of health care providers from four Spanish scientific societies (Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine [SEMICYUC], Spanish Society of Pulmonologists [SEPAR], Spanish Society of Emergency [SEMES], Spanish Society of Anesthesiology, Reanimation, and Pain [SEDAR]) with experience in the clinical management of patients with COVID-19 and other viral infections, including SARS, as well as sepsis and ARDS. The document provides clinical recommendations for the noninvasive respiratory support (noninvasive ventilation, high flow oxygen therapy with nasal cannula) in any patient with suspected or confirmed presentation of COVID-19 with acute respiratory failure. This consensus guidance should serve as a foundation for optimized supportive care to ensure the best possible chance for survival and to allow for reliable comparison of investigational therapeutic interventions as part of randomized controlled trials

El reto de la inclusión de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en la formación inicial de profesores de secundaria: creación del MOOC curso cero sobre educación y ODS, inclusión en asignaturas y en trabajos fin de máster

Memoria ID-041. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2021-2022

O papel das plaquetas na regeneração hepática em modelo de hepatectomia 90%

A hepatectomia de 90% em murinos é um modelo de insuficiência hepática aguda. Recentemente, tem sido demonstrado que as plaquetas possuem um efeito importante na regeneração hepática. As plaquetas promovem a regeneração de tecidos através da liberação de fatores de crescimento tais como o Fator de Crescimento Derivado de Plaquetas (PDGF) e a Serotonina. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o papel do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) em modelo de hepatectomia de 90% em ratos. Para isso, PRP ou medula óssea total (WBM) foram imobilizados em microcápsulas de alginato de sódio implantadas no peritônio de ratos imediatamente após a hepatectomia. O grupo controle recebeu cápsulas vazias (EC). Os animais foram sacrificados às 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 horas pós-hepatectomia (n=5-8/grupo/tempo) para avaliar a taxa de regeneração hepática, o índice mitótico, o índice de marcação com 5-bromo-2’-deoxiuridina (BrdU), HGF sérico, e a expressão no fígado remanescente de 5Ht2b e Pdgf. A taxa de sobrevida em 10 dias foi avaliada em outro grupo de animais (n=20/grupo). Foi observado que o grupo PRP apresentou a maior taxa de sobrevida aos 10 dias apesar da menor taxa de regeneração hepática em todos os tempos. Já o grupo EC mostrou uma taxa de regeneração maior nas primeiras 72 horas. O índice mitótico foi maior para o grupo PRP às 48 horas, porém o índice de BrdU não foi diferente entre os grupos em nenhum tempo. A expressão de 5Ht2b e Pdgf foi elevada no grupo PRP às 72 horas, entretanto o HGF sérico não apresentou diferenças entre os grupos. Estes resultados sugerem que o efeito benéfico do PRP pode ser mediado pelo incremento gradual e uniforme da taxa de regeneração e por uma resposta a fatores mitogênicos como a serotonina e o PDGF.Ninety percent hepatectomy in rodents is a model for acute liver failure. Recently, it has been reported that platelet has a strong effect enhancing liver regeneration, due to its several growth factors such as Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and serotonin. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Platelet-Rich Plasma on 90% hepatectomy in rats. Platelet rich-plasma (PRP) or Whole Bone Marrow (WBM) were microencapsulated in sodium alginate and implanted in the peritoneum of rats immediately after 90% hepatectomy. Control group received empty capsules (EC). Animals were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post hepatectomy (n=5-8/group/time) to evaluate liver regeneration rate, mitotic index, 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index, serum HGF, and 5Ht2b and Pdgf expression in liver. Survival rate in 10 days was also evaluated in a different set of animals (n=20/group). PRP group showed the highest survival rate at 10 days despite the lowest liver regeneration rate at any time point. EC group showed the highest regeneration rate in the first 72 hours. Mitotic index was highest in PRP group at 48 hours although BrdU index did not show any difference among groups. Gene expression of 5Ht2b and Pdgf was both up-regulated at 72 hours in PRP group, whereas serum HGF did not show any differences among groups. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of PRP may be mediated by a gradual increase in the regeneration rate and a response to mitogenic factors such as serotonin and PDGF