Salvando la brecha digital. La plasticidad del cerebro joven frente a los círculos neuronales ya consolidados de un cerebro adulto

El ritmo de las TICS nos sitúa con una gran diferencia no sólo digital, sino también cerebral, la cual provoca un enorme antagonismo entre los denominados nativos e inmigrantes digitales. Vamos a dar a conocer los primeros pasos de un proyecto de colaboración España / Portugal llamado, Red Ibérica de Observatorios para la Alfabetización e Inclusión Digital / Observatório para a Literacia e Inclusão Digital. Este proyecto se encuentra en su fase inicial, recogida y tratamiento estadístico de datos y una previsión temporal de cuatro años para alcanzar resultados.The pace of ICT positions us with one big difference not only digital but also brain, which causes a huge conflict between the so-called digital natives and immigrants. We will make known the first steps of a collaborative Spain / Portugal called Iberian Observatory Network for Literacy and Digital Inclusion / Observatory for the literacy and Inclusão Digital. This project is in its initial phase, collecting and processing statistical data and the expected time of four years to achieve results

Preparation and Characterization of New Liposomes. Bactericidal Activity of Cefepime Encapsulated into Cationic Liposomes

Cefepime is an antibiotic with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. However, this antibiotic has several side effects and a high degradation rate. For this reason, the preparation and characterization of new liposomes that are able to encapsulate this antibiotic seem to be an important research line in the pharmaceutical industry. Anionic and cationic liposomes were prepared and characterized. All cationic structures contained the same cationic surfactant, N,N,N-triethyl-N-(12-naphthoxydodecyl)ammonium. Results showed a better encapsulation-efficiency percentage (EE%) of cefepime in liposomes with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol than with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE). The presence of cholesterol and the quantity of egg-yolk phospholipid in the liposome increased the encapsulation percentage. The bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli of cefepime loaded into liposomes with phosphatidylcholine was measured. The inhibitory zone in an agar plate for free cefepime was similar to that obtained for loaded cefepime. The growth-rate constant of E. coli culture was also measured in working conditions. The liposome without any antibiotic exerted no influence in such a rate constant. All obtained results suggest that PC:CH:12NBr liposomes are biocompatible nanocarriers of cefepime that can be used in bacterial infections against Escherichia coli with high inhibitory activity

Aplicación del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas a través de la modalidad Blended Learning

Memoria ID12-0285. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2012-2013

The IHG index for hydromorphological quality assessment of rivers and streams : updated version

An updated version of the IHG index is presented. The index is based on three appraisal parameters: 1) the functional quality of the fluvial system, including a) flow regime naturalness, b) sediment supply and mobility, and c) floodplain functionality; 2) the channel quality, including a) channel morphology and planform naturalness, b) riverbed continuity and naturalness of the longitudinal and vertical processes, and c) riverbank naturalness and lateral mobility; and 3) the riparian corridor quality, including a) longitudinal continuity, b) riparian corridor width, and c) structure, naturalness and cross-sectional connectivity.Se presenta una versión actualizada del índice IHG, que se estructura en tres grupos de parámetros: 1) calidad funcional del sistema fluvial, incluyendo a) naturalidad del régimen de caudal, b) disponibilidad y movilidad de sedimentos y c) funcionalidad de la llanura de inundación; 2) calidad del cauce, incluyendo a) naturalidad del trazado y de la morfología en planta, b) continuidad y naturalidad del lecho y de los procesos longitudinales y verticales y c) naturalidad de las m'argenes y de la movilidad lateral; y 3) calidad de las riberas, incluyendo a) continuidad longitudinal, b) anchura y c) estructura, naturalidad y conectividad transversal

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Glioblastoma and Zebrafish Models for the Discovery of New Treatments

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common of all brain malignant tumors; it displays a median survival of 14.6 months with current complete standard treatment. High heterogeneity, aggressive and invasive behavior, the impossibility of completing tumor resection, limitations for drug administration and therapeutic resistance to current treatments are the main problems presented by this pathology. In recent years, our knowledge of GBM physiopathology has advanced significantly, generating relevant information on the cellular heterogeneity of GBM tumors, including cancer and immune cells such as macrophages/microglia, genetic, epigenetic and metabolic alterations, comprising changes in miRNA expression. In this scenario, the zebrafish has arisen as a promising animal model to progress further due to its unique characteristics, such as transparency, ease of genetic manipulation, ethical and economic advantages and also conservation of the major brain regions and blood–brain–barrier (BBB) which are similar to a human structure. A few papers described in this review, using genetic and xenotransplantation zebrafish models have been used to study GBM as well as to test the anti-tumoral efficacy of new drugs, their ability to interact with target cells, modulate the tumor microenvironment, cross the BBB and/or their toxicity. Prospective studies following these lines of research may lead to a better diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of patients with GBMF.T.A. has been supported by the AECC (“Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer”, Spain). We would also like to thank the following: the Talento Program from Madrid Government, Spain (2017-T1/BMD-5333); Convocatoria 2018 de proyectos de I+D+i «RETOS INVESTIGACIÓN» (RTI2018-095061-B-I00) (to C.M.R.); “Convocatoria de ayudas para la contratación de ayudantes de investigación” (PEJ-2018-AI/BMD-9724) (to M.T.-P.); the Xunta de Galicia Pre-doctoral Fellowship (ED481A-2018/095) (to A.P.L.)S

Project-based learning using scientific poster as a tool for learning and acquisition of skills in physics subjects of engineering bachelor’s degrees

This article shows the experience of working on project-based learning using scientific posters, on the study of the mass geometry of matter, with students of various Physics subjects of Degrees in Engineering of the School of Design Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. The development of this work has been carried out with a dual purpose: on the one hand, to improve the teachinglearning process of mass geometry; and, on the other hand, to improve the acquisition of skills by students. This matter, which is studied in the Physics subjects of the first year of the degree, forms part of the basis of the studies of resistance of materials and theory of mechanisms of subsequent courses. The inclusion of two sessions of laboratory practices, as an extension of the work carried out in the theory and classroom practice sessions, has allowed us to study more deeply the theoretical concepts of mass geometry and their application to a real project, improving the learning by the students. In addition, the presentation of the project through the scientific poster has facilitated the acquisition of cross-curricular competencies such as application and practical thinking, teamwork, effective communication, and critical thinking

Aplicación de herramientas telemáticas para la mejora de la calidad docente del programa interuniversitario de la experiencia de la Universidad de Salamanca

Memoria ID-0047. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2009-2010.El proyecto se ha basado en un objetivo global a través del cual se pretendía la integración social y adaptación del colectivo de estudiantes mayores a la evolución social, económica y tecnológica del momento, para que conozcan, utilicen y comprendan las posibilidades de enseñanza/aprendizaje que les ofrecen las TICs. Esta meta global se ha dividido en dos objetivos operativos: 1. Abrir al alumnado adulto las posibilidades del aprendizaje virtual, formándoles para el uso y la participación en la plataforma telemática donde se encuentran a su disposición los materiales de las asignaturas y cursos. 2. Facilitar a los estudiantes mayores el acceso a cursos, contenidos y materias regladas de la Universidad de Salamanca, pudiendo así aspirar a una formación universitaria más allá del Programa de la Experiencia

The age again in the eye of the COVID-19 storm: evidence-based decision making

Background: One hundred fifty million contagions, more than 3 million deaths and little more than 1 year of COVID-19 have changed our lives and our health management systems forever. Ageing is known to be one of the significant determinants for COVID-19 severity. Two main reasons underlie this: immunosenescence and age correlation with main COVID-19 comorbidities such as hypertension or dyslipidaemia. This study has two aims. The first is to obtain cut-off points for laboratory parameters that can help us in clinical decision-making. The second one is to analyse the effect of pandemic lockdown on epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory parameters concerning the severity of the COVID-19. For these purposes, 257 of SARSCoV2 inpatients during pandemic confinement were included in this study. Moreover, 584 case records from a previously analysed series, were compared with the present study data. Results: Concerning the characteristics of lockdown series, mild cases accounted for 14.4, 54.1% were moderate and 31.5%, severe. There were 32.5% of home contagions, 26.3% community transmissions, 22.5% nursing home contagions, and 8.8% corresponding to frontline worker contagions regarding epidemiological features. Age > 60 and male sex are hereby confirmed as severity determinants. Equally, higher severity was significantly associated with higher IL6, CRP, ferritin, LDH, and leukocyte counts, and a lower percentage of lymphocyte, CD4 and CD8 count. Comparing this cohort with a previous 584-cases series, mild cases were less than those analysed in the first moment of the pandemic and dyslipidaemia became more frequent than before. IL-6, CRP and LDH values above 69 pg/mL, 97 mg/L and 328 U/L respectively, as well as a CD4 T-cell count below 535 cells/?L, were the best cut-offs predicting severity since these parameters offered reliable areas under the curve. Conclusion: Age and sex together with selected laboratory parameters on admission can help us predict COVID-19 severity and, therefore, make clinical and resource management decisions. Demographic features associated with lockdown might affect the homogeneity of the data and the robustness of the results

Escuchar, comprender; colaborar: la medicina narrativa como método de aprendizaje-servicio en la formación médica

Memoria ID2022-128 Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2022-2023