Navigating Perceived Stress: Experiences of Nursing Students Completing Internships during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Background: University students often experience psychological strains such as academic stress, particularly as they approach the transition into the workforce. This stress may have been heightened for nursing students who completed internships during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceived stress levels of undergraduate nursing students. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using the Spanish version of the PSS-10 scale, a validated reduction of the English version PSS-14, to evaluate perceived stress. The responses are Likert-type with a total score range of 0 to 40. Questionnaires were distributed electronically to nursing students across all academic years who were engaged in clinical practice. Participation was voluntary. Results: The study included 487 students, the majority of whom were women (78.4%) with an average age of 23.51 years. Most participants were in their third and fourth years (67%). The mean perceived stress score was 20.65 (SD = 5.62) out of a possible 40, indicating moderate stress levels. Statistically significant differences in perceived stress were found between genders, with women reporting higher stress levels than men (Mann-Whitney U = 15,380.000; p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the overall perceived stress score and gender, as well as between specific items on the PSS-10 scale and gender, highlighting the importance of gender-specific stress management interventions. Conclusions: Nursing students reported moderate levels of perceived stress, with women experiencing higher stress levels than men. These findings highlight the need for targeted stress management interventions for nursing students, especially during health crises. Addressing gender-specific stressors and fostering a supportive educational environment will enhance students' well-being, academic success, and professional preparedness

Estudio tomográfico e histológico comparativo de dos biomateriales para preservación del reborde alveolar

[Objetivo] Este estudio evalúa los cambios dimensionales tomográficos y cambios histológicos posexodoncia con el uso de dos materiales de injerto: xenoinjerto Bio-Oss® y membrana colágena reabsorbible Bio-Gide® y aloinjerto Puros® y membrana de colágeno reabsorbible Biomed Extend® en la preservación del reborde alveolar.  [Materiales y Métodos] Estudio experimental en el que se realizaron 20 extracciones de diente único, y se comparan dos biomateriales diferentes repartidos aleatoriamente en dos grupos. Al grupo A se le colocó material tipo xenoinjerto (Bio-Oss y Bio-Gide®) y al grupo B se le colocó material tipo aloinjerto (Puros y Biomed®).  Se realizaron medidas tomográficas al día 0 y al día 210 después de la extracción.  En el día 210 se tomaron muestras de tejido para análisis histológico.  [Resultados] Las medidas tomográficas no mostraron variaciones estadísticamente significativas excepto en la amplitud máxima del reborde óseo, siendo esta menor en el grupo del aloinjerto en el día 210 con valor de p<0.05.  En los resultados histológicos se observa similitud entre los dos grupos en la respuesta celular, tejido osteoide y hueso nuevo mineralizado.  Se observaron diferencias en la cantidad de material remanente, presentando mayor presencia de material el grupo del xenoinjerto. [Conclusión] Este estudio presentó resultados similares a los encontrados en la literatura y se observa un comportamiento adecuado de la preservación del reborde óseo posterior a una extracción cuando se colocan materiales sustitutos óseos del tipo xenoinjerto o aloinjerto para las dimensiones de altura y amplitud, con cambios muy leves en el tiempo de evaluación

Píldoras de aprendizaje: Vídeos de corta duración en la docencia del Grado de Medicina

Los mini-vídeos pueden ser considerados píldoras de aprendizaje (llamadas píldoras de conocimiento), ya que durante su visionado se accede rápidamente a una información concreta, cuya única finalidad es reforzar otros materiales didácticos, mejorar la comprensión de los contenidos de la asignatura y aumentar la motivación de los estudiantes. Dado los beneficios del uso de estos recursos didáctico, un grupo de profesores de la Facultad de Medicina, una investigadora del Área de Ciencias de la Salud y un Médico del Servicio de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital Clínico San Carlos diseñaron mini-vídeos para utilizarlos en la docencia de la asignatura de Bioquímica Humana de segundo curso del Grado de Medicina. La preparación de cada mini-vídeo ha supuesto un arduo trabajo tanto en la elaboración como en el diseño de los elementos que integran cada recurso audiovisual. Sin embargo, el resultado ha sido muy satisfactorio tanto para los estudiantes como para los docentes que participaron en esta experiencia

Spirometry and respiratory oscillometry: Feasibility and concordance in schoolchildren with asthma

Producción CientíficaObjective:The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of respiratory oscillometry (RO) in schoolchildren with asthma, and the concordance of its results with those of spirometry, to determine its clinical usefulness. Methods:RO and spirometry were performed in 154 children (6 to 14-year-old) with asthma, following strict quality criteria for the tests. Their feasibility (probability of valid test, time of execution, number of maneuvers needed to achieve a valid test, and perceived difficulty) was compared. The factors that influence feasibility were analyzed with multivariate methods. FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FVC and FEF25-75 for spirometry, and R5, AX and R5-19 for RO, were converted into z-scores and their concordance was investigated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and kappa indices for normal/abnormal values. Results:There were no differences in the probability of obtaining a valid RO or spirometry (83.1% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.868). RO required a lower number of maneuvers [mean (SD) 4.2 (1.8) versus 6.0 (1.6), p < 0.001] and less execution time [5.1 (2.7) versus 7.6 (2.4) minutes, p < 0.001], and patients considered it less difficult. Age increased the probability of obtaining valid RO and spirometry. The concordance of results between RO and spirometry was low, and only between zFEV1 and zAX could it be considered moderate (ICC = 0.412, kappa = 0.427). Conclusion:RO and spirometry are feasible in children with asthma. RO has some practical advantages, but the concordance of its results with spirometry is low.Junta de Castilla y León (Gerencia Regional de Salud - Grant/Award Number: 2191/A/2020

Effect of Nb as dopant of hydrotalcite catalysts during the ethanol condensation to optimize n-Butanol production

The present study optimizes Cu-supported catalysts on hydrotalcite for the synthesis of n-butanol whose interest is in its use as biofuel, due to its superior performance in comparison with other short-chain alcohols. The catalytic performance was improved by adding Nb to the catalytic formulation. In this way, several Cu-Nb catalysts supported on hydrotalcites (Mg/Al) with different Nb loadings were synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation and characterized by H2 temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction, N2 physisorption, CO2 and NH3 thermo-programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was shown that the incorporation of Nb promoted a suitable balance between the acid-basic and redox sites, modulating the Cu0/Cu+ dehydrogenation/hydrogenation properties for the n-BuOH production. The synthesis of multiple value-added products (n-BuOH, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, and 1-hexanol) was achieved in both the liquid (at 180 ºC) and gas phase (150 350 ºC), where it was demonstrated that both the n-BuOH selectivity and ethanol con- version improved with the Nb addition. The performance of the catalysts under time on stream and their recycling is also described.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Role of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disorder, affecting around 25% of the population worldwide. It is a complex disease spectrum, closely linked with other conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, which may increase liver-related mortality. In light of this, numerous efforts have been carried out in recent years in order to clarify its pathogenesis and create new prevention strategies. Currently, the essential role of environmental pollutants in NAFLD development is recognized. Particularly, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have a notable influence. EDCs can be classified as natural (phytoestrogens, genistein, and coumestrol) or synthetic, and the latter ones can be further subdivided into industrial (dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and alkylphenols), agricultural (pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides), residential (phthalates, polybrominated biphenyls, and bisphenol A), and pharmaceutical (parabens). Several experimental models have proposed a mechanism involving this group of substances with the disruption of hepatic metabolism, which promotes NAFLD. These include an imbalance between lipid influx/efflux in the liver, mitochondrial dysfunction, liver inflammation, and epigenetic reprogramming. It can be concluded that exposure to EDCs might play a crucial role in NAFLD initiation and evolution. However, further investigations supporting these effects in humans are required

Exploiting the potential of autophagy in cisplatin therapy: A new strategy to overcome resistance

Resistance to cisplatin is a major challenge in the current cancer therapy. In order to explore new therapeutic strategies to cisplatin resistance, we evaluated, in a model of lung cancer (H1299 and H460 cell lines), the nature of the pathways leading to cell death. We observed that H1299 displayed a natural resistance to cisplatin due to an inability to trigger an apoptotic response that correlates with the induction of autophagy. However, pharmacological and genetic approaches showed how autophagy was a mechanism associated to cell death rather than to resistance. Indeed, pro-autophagic stimuli such as mTOR or Akt inhibition mediate cell death in both cell lines to a similar extent. We next evaluated the response to a novel platinum compound, monoplatin, able to promote cell death in an exclusive autophagy-dependent manner. In this case, no differences were observed between both cell lines. Furthermore, in response to monoplatin, two molecular hallmarks of cisplatin response (p53 and MAPKs) were not implicated, indicating the ability of this pro-autophagic compound to overcome cisplatin resistance. In summary, our data highlight how induction of autophagy could be used in cisplatin resistant tumours and an alternative treatment for p53 mutated patient in a synthetic lethally approach.This work was supported by grants from Fundación Leticia Castillejo Castillo and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (grant SAF2012-30862 to RSP and grant CTQ2011-24434 to FAJ). RSP Research Institute, and the work carried out in his laboratory receive support from the European Community through the regional development funding program (FEDER). JGC received funding from the Regional Ministry of Education and Science of Castilla–La Mancha (FPI-JCCM) and from Fundación Leticia Castillejo Castillo. MCC and RSP have a contract from the INCRECYT progra

In vivo evaluation of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors in murine models of allodynia, chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and visceral pain

Trabajo presentado en el IX EFMC International Symposium on Advances in Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry, celebrado en Zagreb (Croacia), del 3 al 7 de septiembre de 2023Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (sEHI) are a new class of non-opioid analgesics, with a representative compound, EC5026, currently in clinical trials for the management of neuropathic pain [1]. Our group has recently designed, synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated novel series of potent benzohomoadamantane-based sEHI [2]. Herein, we report further medicinal chemistry around the abovementioned polycyclic scaffold to improve the potency and, particularly, the DMPK properties of previous hits. After an extensive in vitro screening cascade, molecular modeling, and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies, three candidates were selected for in vivo studies. Two compounds evaluated in a murine model of capsaicin-induced allodynia displayed potent anti-allodynic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Next, the most potent compound was evaluated in the cyclophosphamide-induced murine model of cystitis, a well-established model of visceral pain, presenting robust analgesic efficacy [3]. Finally, considering that chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP), a severe side effect of several anticancer agents, is a largely unmet medical need [4], our third candidate was evaluated in a murine model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. CINP was performed by a daily injection of paclitaxel via i.p. (2 mg/kg), for 5 consecutive days. Mice developed neuropathic mechanical allodynia, which peaked on day 10 after the first paclitaxel administration ¿time when the acute effects of sEHI were tested. Subcutaneous administration of this candidate (2.5-5 mg/kg) completely reversed in a dose dependent manner the sensory hypersensitivity. Additionally, administration of the sEHI (5 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min before each paclitaxel injection completely prevented the development of neuropathic allodynia. Collectively, these results suggest interstitial cystitis/pain bladder syndrome and CINP as possible new indications for sEHI. Acknowledgements: This work was funded by the Grant PID2020-118127RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ¿ERDF A way of making Europe¿ to S.V

The UPMSat-2 Satellite: an academic project within aerospace engineering education

Today, project-based learning is a well-known methodology in engineering education. In the IDR/UPM Institute of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), different lines of research have been developed to involve students into projects related to aerodynamics (both theoretical and experimental), fluid dynamics on low gravity, and space science (heat transfer).Although these lines of research were initially related to the Ph.D. programs integrated within the academic plan of the university, the increasing interest among the bachelor and master students on research and projects linked to the most advanced engineering techniques, prompted the IDR/UPM academic staff to offer some specific projects to these students as their final degree thesis. In the present work, the UPMSat-2 satellite project is analyzed as an academic tool to involve different groups of students into a big project,encouraging them not only to develop specific skills in relation to a single subsystem of the satellite, but also to harmonize their work with the results from other groups of students working on other different subsystems.The different groups of students were directed by the professors of the IDR/UPM Institute. These students being mainly from two different degrees at UPM: Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering and Master’s Degree in Space Systems (MUSE). The main difference between these two groups being the amount of work carried out to fulfill the degree requirements. For the Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, a 300-hour average project is required, whereas for the Master’s Degree in Space Systems this limit increases to 450 hours. Taking into account the aforementioned figures, the importance of having motivated students is crucial. In this sense, a project like the UPMSat-2 has revealed itself as a formidable way to gather students and professors around a common engineering task. It should be pointed out that this kind of satellite, a 50-kg spacecraft, allows a more complex engineering management when compared to the cubesats (that is, engineering operations such as testing, integration or harnessing are closer to the ones related to commercial or military aircraft). Besides, as the UPMSat-2 is used as a platform to qualify space technologies for engineering enterprises (Iberespacio, Bartington, SSVB, Tecnobit, Arquimea…), students are in contact with commercial enterprises from the space sector, this fact being also important in order to increase their motivation. In the present work the educational benefits of the UPMSat-2 program in relation to the Master’s Degree in Space Systems (MUSE) are thoroughly described, some examples of the projects carried out by the students being summarized. satellite design, space technology, project-based learning, active learning

Synthesis, in Vitro Profiling, and in Vivo Evaluation of Benzohomoadamantane-Based Ureas for Visceral Pain: A New Indication for Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors

The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been suggested as a pharmacological target for the treatment of several diseases, including pain-related disorders. Herein, we report further medicinal chemistry around new benzohomoadamantane-based sEH inhibitors (sEHI) in order to improve the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics properties of a previous hit. After an extensive in vitro screening cascade, molecular modeling, and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies, two candidates were evaluated in vivo in a murine model of capsaicin-induced allodynia. The two compounds showed an anti-allodynic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the most potent compound presented robust analgesic efficacy in the cyclophosphamide-induced murine model of cystitis, a well-established model of visceral pain. Overall, these results suggest painful bladder syndrome as a new possible indication for sEHI, opening a new range of applications for them in the visceral pain field