An efficient strategy for modeling the human auditory system from Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging.

Finite Element modeling is a widely used methodology to build numerical models and simulate the behavior of the human auditory system; this has allowed essential advances in understanding the biomechanics of that complex system. There are two key points in modeling: the construction of an adequate geometry that allows efficient meshing and the correct use of mechanical properties of the materials. This research aims to show a new strategy for automating the build Finite Element Model process of the human auditory system using the FEM from Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) Imaging. The idea behind this methodology is to build a Finite Element Model with a computational and temporal low cost. This work allowed us to design the first semi-automatic algorithm to build a finite element model of the human middle ear that will later be used to incorporate the other components of the auditory system for different types of studies.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Glucose homeostasis changes and pancreatic β-cell proliferation after switching to cyclosporin in tacrolimus-induced diabetes mellitus

AbstractBackgroundSwitching to cyclosporin A may result in a reversion of tacrolimus-induced diabetes mellitus. However, mechanisms underlying such a reversion are still unknown.MethodsObese Zucker rats were used as a model for tacrolimus-induced diabetes mellitus. A cohort of 44 obese Zucker rats received tacrolimus for 11 days (0.3mg/kg/day) until diabetes development; then, (a) 22 rats were euthanized at day 12 and were used as a reference group (tacrolimus-day 12), and (b) 22 rats on tacrolimus were shifted to cyclosporin (2.5mg/kg/day) for 5 days (tacrolimus-cyclosporin). An additional cohort of 22 obese Zucker rats received the vehicle for 17 days and was used as a control group. All animals underwent an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test at the end of the study.Resultsβ-Cell proliferation, apoptosis and Ins2 gene expression were evaluated. Compared to rats in tacrolimus-day 12 group, those in tacrolimus-cyclosporin group showed a significant improvement in blood glucose levels in all assessment points in intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Diabetes decreased from 100% in tacrolimus-day-12 group to 50% in tacrolimus-cyclosporin group. Compared to tacrolimus-day-12 group, rats in tacrolimus-cyclosporin group showed an increased β-cell proliferation, but such an increase was lower than in rats receiving the vehicle. Ins2 gene expressions in rats receiving tacrolimus-cyclosporin and rats receiving the vehicle were comparable.ConclusionAn early switch from tacrolimus to cyclosporin in tacrolimus-induced diabetes mellitus resulted in an increased β-cell proliferation and reversion of diabetes in 50% of cases

Divergent responses to thermogenic stimuli in BAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue from interleukin 18 and interleukin 18 receptor 1-deficient mice

Brown and beige adipocytes recruitment in brown (BAT) or white adipose tissue, mainly in the inguinal fat pad (iWAT), meet the need for temperature adaptation in cold-exposure conditions and protect against obesity in face of hypercaloric diets. Using interleukin18 (Il18) and Il18 receptor 1- knockout (Il18r1-KO) mice, this study aimed to investigate the role of IL18 signaling in BAT and iWAT activation and thermogenesis under both stimuli. Il18-KO, extremely dietary obesity-prone as previously described, failed to develop diet-induced thermogenesis as assessed by BAT and iWAT Ucp1 mRNA levels. Overweight when fed standard chow but not HFD, HFD-fed Il18r1-KO mice exhibited increased iWAT Ucp1 gene expression. Energy expenditure was reduced in pre-obese Il18r1-KO mice and restored upon HFD-challenge. Cold exposure lead to similar results; Il18r1-KO mice were protected against acute body temperature drop, displaying a more brown-like structure, alternative macrophage activation and thermogenic gene expression in iWAT than WT controls. Opposite effects were observed in Il18-KO mice. Thus, Il18 and Il18r1 genetic ablation disparate effects on energy homeostasis are likely mediated by divergent BAT responses to thermogenic stimuli as well as iWAT browning. These results suggest that a more complex receptor-signaling system mediates the IL18 adipose-tissue specific effects in energy expenditure.This work has been supported by European Community (FP7/2007n° 245009: “NeuroFAST”), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PP and MCGG: BFU2007–62683/BFI and PP, MCGG and CD: CIBERobn (CB06/03)) and Xunta de Galicia Grants (MCGG and LL: PGIDIT06PXIB208067PR and GPC2014/030). CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición is an initiative of ISCIIIS

Food and nutrition education from the teaching-learning process of Human Anatomy and Physiology

El reconocimiento de la vinculación directa de muchas enfermedades que padece el ser humano en la actualidad, con sus hábitos y costumbres alimentarias, constituye un aspecto de vital importancia en el mantenimiento de la salud. La escuela se convierte en un escenario idóneo para contribuir a la educación alimentaria y nutricional desde el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. El proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la disciplina Anatomía y Fisiología Humana en la carrera Licenciatura en Educación. Biología posee potencialidades para contribuir a la educación alimentaria y nutricional en la formación del docente de biología. El objetivo es describir las potencialidades del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la disciplina Anatomía y Fisiología Humana para contribuir a la educación alimentaria y nutricional en la formación del docente de Biología. Dentro de los métodos de la ciencia utilizados se encuentran el histórico-lógico, el analítico- sintético, el inductivo-deductivo y el estudio de documentos.The recognition of the direct link between many diseases that humans currently suffer from, with their eating habits and customs, constitutes an aspect of vital importance in maintaining health. The school becomes an ideal setting to contribute to food and nutrition education from the teaching-learning process. The teaching-learning process of the discipline Human Anatomy and Physiology in the Bachelor of Education career. Biology has the potential to contribute to food and nutritional education in the training of biology teachers. The objective is to describe the potentialities of the teaching-learning process of the Human Anatomy and Physiology discipline to contribute to food and nutritional education in the training of Biology teachers. Among the methods of science used are the historical-logical, the analytical-synthetic, the inductive-deductive and the study of documents

Niveles plasmáticos de leucocitos y plaquetas en la enfermedad periodontal inflamatoria crónica

Introduction: Recently, it has been found that a periodontal disease can jeopardize systematically an individual causing an increase in the levels of some blood cells like leukocytes, which can produce diverse disease, primarily cardiovascular alterations.Objective: To determine the relationship between a periodontal disease with the plasmatic levels of leukocytes and platelets.Material and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of cases and controls was performed in the Faculty of Stomatology of the University Of Medical Sciences Of Villa Clara in the period of January to March 2018. 90 patients were studied, out of these 30 were found to have periodontal diseases (cases) control group and 60 with healthy periodontal (controls). The studied variables were: sex, age, plasmatic levels of leukocytes and platelets blood elements, periodontal diseases, and oral hygiene.Results: 68.9 % of the patients were male and the age group most represented was that of 51 to 60 years of age (45.6%). The average plasmatic levels of leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets in the cases and control group, was found under the normal values in both groups, but with greater values in the periodontal ill patient group and even greater in patients with periodontitis. The cases 100 % had inadequate mouth hygiene.Conclusions: Male sex was found predominant and with relation to age those that were between the ages of 51 and 60 years of age. A relationship has been found between inadequate mouth hygiene and chronic periodontal inflammation. Periodontal infections have the capacity to alter the plasmatic levels of leukocytes and plateletsIntroducción: La enfermedad periodontal puede perjudicar sistémicamente al individuo causando el aumento en los niveles de algunas células sanguíneas como los leucocitos, lo cual puede producir diversas enfermedades, principalmente alteraciones cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre los niveles plasmáticos de leucocitos y plaquetas y su relación con la enfermedad periodontal inflamatoria crónica.Material y Métodos: Se realizó un observacional analítico de casos y controles en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara en el periodo comprendido de enero a marzo de 2018. Se seleccionaron a través de un muestreo no probabilístico intencional, 90 individuos, de ellos 30 enfermos del periodonto (casos) y 60 con periodonto sano (controles). Constituyeron variables de estudio: el sexo, la edad, los niveles plasmáticos de leucocitos y plaquetas, los elementos sanguíneos, la enfermedad periodontal y la higiene bucal.Resultados: El 68,9 % de los pacientes fueron masculinos y el grupo de edad más representado fue el de 51 a 60 años (45,6 %). Los niveles plasmáticos de leucocitos, neutrófilos y plaquetas se encontraron dentro de los valores normales, pero se halló relación significativa entre los leucocitos (p=0,000) y neutrófilos (p=0,000) y gingivitis y periodontitis; no ocurriendo así con las plaquetas. El 100 % de los casos presentó una higiene bucal inadecuada.Conclusiones: Predominó el sexo masculino y con relación a la edad los que tenían entre 51 y 60 años. La higiene bucal inadecuada se relacionó con la enfermad periodontal inflamatoria crónica. La infección periodontal tiene capacidad para alterar los niveles plasmáticos de leucocitos y plaquetas.

Long term orientation: A comparative study amongst engineer and tourism students

Objective: To investigate the differences amongst the LTO (Long Term Orientation) profile of graduate students in two academic programs. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 66 students participated in the study. The items of each construct corresponded to the two dimensions established by the original LTO scale. The validity test for the measurement scale was based first on exploratory and then on confirmatory factor analysis. The internal reliability consistency of the multi-item scales was assessed with Cronbach’s α. Independent sample t-tests were applied to verify the hypothesis. Results: The eight-item LTO scale performed reasonably well, lending support for its internal validity for the sample. The engineering students had higher levels for the planning dimension, still there were no significant differences in the estimates (t=-.391, p=.697), and students of the tourism program rated higher for the tradition dimension compared to the engineering students (t=3.557, p=.001). Limitations/implications: The study focus only in one personality trait. Education providers can draw upon these findings a better understanding of their students, becoming relevant for the curriculum. Findings/Conclusions: Students of the tourism academic program score higher in the tradition dimension of the LTO profile. On the contrary, there was no difference regarding the planning factor of the LTO profile. Therefore, LTO scale might be useful for understanding students’ decisions and personal orientations, allowing for academic programs to better focus their curriculum.Objective: To investigate differences amongst the LTO (Long Term Orientation) profile of graduate students of two academic programs: tourism and engineer. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 66 students participated in the study. The items of each construct corresponded to the two dimensions established by the original LTO scale. The validity test for the measurement scale was based first on exploratory and then on confirmatory factor analysis. The internal reliability consistency of the multi-item scales was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. Independent sample t-tests were applied to verify the hypothesis. Results: The eight-item LTO scale performed reasonably well, lending support for its internal validity for the sample. The engineering students (6.16±0.65) had higher levels for the planning dimension compared with the tourism students (6.10±0.56), still there were no significant differences in the estimates (t=-0.391, p=0.697), and students of the tourism program rated significantly higher (t=3.557, p=0.001) for the tradition dimension (6.12±0.59) compared to the engineering students (5.42±0.90). Limitations/implications: The study focus only in one personality trait. Education providers can draw upon these findings a better understanding of their students, becoming relevant for the curriculum. Findings/Conclusions: Students of the tourism academic program score higher in the tradition dimension of the LTO profile. On the contrary, there was no difference regarding the planning factor of the LTO profile. Therefore, LTO scale might be useful for understanding students’ decisions and personal orientations, allowing for academic programs to better focus their curriculum

Impact of a 1755-like tsunami in Huelva, Spain

Abstract. Coastal areas are highly exposed to natural hazards associated with the sea. In all cases where there is historical evidence for devastating tsunamis, as is the case of the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, there is a need for quantitative hazard tsunami assessment to support spatial planning. Also, local authorities must be able to act towards the population protection in a preemptive way, to inform “what to do” and “where to go” and in an alarm, to make people aware of the incoming danger. With this in mind, we investigated the inundation extent, run-up and water depths, of a 1755-like event on the region of Huelva, located on the Spanish southwestern coast, one of the regions that was affected in the past by several high energy events, as proved by historical documents and sedimentological data. Modelling was made with a slightly modified version of the COMCOT (Cornell Multi-grid Coupled Tsunami Model) code. Sensitivity tests were performed for a single source in order to understand the relevance and influence of the source parameters in the inundation extent and the fundamental impact parameters. We show that a 1755-like event will have a dramatic impact in a large area close to Huelva inundating an area between 82 and 92 km2 and reaching maximum run-up around 5 m. In this sense our results show that small variations on the characteristics of the tsunami source are not too significant for the impact assessment. We show that the maximum flow depth and the maximum run-up increase with the average slip on the source, while the strike of the fault is not a critical factor as Huelva is significantly far away from the potential sources identified up to now. We also show that the maximum flow depth within the inundated area is very dependent on the tidal level, while maximum run-up is less affected, as a consequence of the complex morphology of the area

El abordaje de pacientes con choque anafiláctico en clínicas estomatológicas / Approach to the patients with anaphylactic shock in stomatological clinics

Introducción: La anafilaxia constituye una urgencia médica que requiere atención inmediata y adecuada. Objetivo: Caracterizar el abordaje de pacientes con choque anafiláctico en clínicas estomatológicas. Definiciones y necesidad de un protocolo de atención: La anafilaxia es una reacción alérgica grave que puede estar presente en la atención estomatológica y producir choque. Aspectos esenciales de la conducta a seguir: La administración de fármacos como la adrenalina, constituye uno de los tratamientos a seguir en estos casos. Disponibilidad de recursos para el tratamiento: Las clínicas estomatológicas deben ser estrictas y cuidadosas en la exigencia de una reserva de emergencia, que permita brindar los primeros auxilios a pacientes con choque anafiláctico. Identificación precoz y comienzo del tratamiento: Ante la presencia de manifestaciones clínicas subjetivas de anafilaxia, debe evitarse el contacto con el alérgeno y comenzar tratamiento. Agentes causales y pilares del tratamiento: Se hace necesario eliminar la causa y detener la liberación de intermediarios químicos, así como bloquear su acción, garantizar una vía aérea permeable y normalizar el volumen circulatorio. Conclusiones: Existen características indispensables a tener en cuenta para el abordaje del paciente con choque anafiláctico en clínicas estomatológicas. Entre estas, se encuentran la identificación de las manifestaciones clínicas, el retiro del posible agente causal, así como el comienzo inmediato del tratamiento con cada uno de sus pilares. Para ello, es necesario la disponibilidad de recursos en cada nivel de atención, por tanto, se precisa disponer de una reserva de emergencia y del personal capacitado para hacer frente a estas

Efeito da Taxa de Resfriamento na Liga Ni80Cu20 via Dinâmica Molecular

A simulação em Dinâmica Molecular (MD) é uma poderosa ferramenta para estudo de ligas amorfasnanométricas. Neste artigo, a MD foi empregada para o estudo da liga Ni80Cu20. As simulações foramrealizadas com o código livre LAMMPS, em um sistema contendo 2.000 átomos com interação atômica dadapelo potencial de Finnis-Sinclair (EAM-FS). O aquecimento foi realizado à taxa de 2 K/ps, entretanto, noresfriamento foram utilizadas as taxas de 40, 10, 4, 3, 2 e 1 K/ps, com a finalidade de se observar a evoluçãoestrutural da liga. Taxas superiores a 3 K/ps conduzem à formação de estrutura amorfa. Por outro lado, taxasinferiores a esta permitem ao sistema formar uma estrutura cristalina Cúbica de Face Centrada (CFC). Aestrutura da liga foi analisada empregando-se Funções de Distribuição Radial (RDF), os poliedros deVoronoi, e Common Neighbor Analysis (CNA). Além disto, foram realizados estudos de tratamento térmico,na liga amorfa obtida à taxa de resfriamento de 40 K/os, em modo isotérmico com a finalidade de observar acristalização da liga amorfa. A curva tensão vs deformação indica que a presença de 20 % de nanocristaiseleva a resistência mecânica sem afetar o módulo elástico. Com esta fração, que se forma por efeito dotratamento térmico, o limite de resistência é aumentado em mais de 30 %.Palavras-chave: Ligas amorfas, Cristalização, Análise de Voronoi, Comportamento mecânico

A Simplified Iohexol-Based Method to Measure Renal Function in Sheep Models of Renal Disease

12 Pág.Sheep are highly adequate models for human renal diseases because of their many similarities in the histology and physiology of kidney and pathogenesis of kidney diseases. However, the lack of a simple method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) limits its use as a model of renal diseases. Hence, we aimed to develop a simple method to measure GFR based on the plasma clearance of iohexol by assessing different pharmacokinetic models: (a) CL2: two-compartment (samples from 15 to 420 min; reference method); (b) CL1: one-compartment (samples from 60 to 420 min); (c) CLlf: CL1 adjusted by a correction formula and (d) SM: simplified CL2 (15 to 300 min). Specific statistics of agreement were used to test the models against CL2. The agreement between CL1 and CL2 was low, but both CL1f and SM showed excellent agreement with CL2, as indicated by a total deviation index of ~5-6%, a concordance correlation of 0.98-0.99% and a coverage probability of 99-100%, respectively. Hence, the SM approach is preferable due to a reduced number of samples and shorter duration of the procedure; two points that improve animal management and welfare.This research received no external funding.Peer reviewe