La metáfora bélica durante la crisis sanitaria de la gripe A

This article aims to illustrate how became a fundamental communicative resource for the mass media when reporting on the H1N1 virus during the swine flu health crisis. This analogy heightened public fear so much so that many individuals demanded that the government acquire certain drugs and vaccines to protect themselves from the virus. This research is based on the information which appeared in three national dailies –El País, El Mundo and ABC– over a six-month period, as well as academic publications, documents and articles available in the media and Internet.  Este artículo pretende demostrar que la metáfora bélica empleada por los medios de comunicación para informar sobre el virus H1N1 durante la crisis sanitaria de la gripe A fue un recurso comunicativo fundamental. Esta analogía provocó un fuerte sentimiento de miedo entre la población que condujo a muchas personas a exigir al Gobierno la adquisición de ciertos fármacos y vacunas para protegerse ante la nueva enfermedad. Para realizar esta investigación se ha partido de las informaciones publicadas en tres medios de comunicación nacionales –El País, El Mundo y ABC- durante seis meses, además de estudios académicos y otros documentos y artículos difundidos a través de medios de comunicación tradicionales e Internet

Influence of HLA DRB1 alleles in the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis and the regulation of antibodies against citrullinated proteins and rheumatoid factor

25 pages, 2 figures, 5 tables.-- Provisional PDF.[Introduction] To investigate the association between HLA-DRB1 alleles with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and production of antibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF).[Methods] We studied 408 patients (235 with RA, 173 non-RA) and 269 controls. ACPA, RF and HLA-DR typing were determined.[Results] We found an increased frequency of HLA DRB1 alleles with the shared epitope (SE) in ACPA-positive RA. Inversely, HLA DRB1 alleles encoding DERAA sequences were more frequent in controls than in ACPA-positive RA, and a similar trend was found for HLA DR3. However these results could not be confirmed after stratification for the presence of the SE, probably due to the relatively low number of patients. These data may suggest that the presence of these alleles may confer a protective role for ACPA-positive RA. In RA patients we observed association between SE alleles and ACPA titers in a dose-dependent effect. The presence of HLA DR3 or DERAA-encoding alleles was associated with markedly reduced ACPA levels. No association between RF titers and HLA DR3 or DERAA-encoding alleles was found.[Conclusions] HLA DRB1 alleles with the SE are associated with production of ACPA. DERAA-encoding HLA-DR alleles and HLA DR3 may be protective for ACPA-positive RA.Supported by Fundacion Mutua Madrileña PI-668 and Beca FER-Abbott 2004.Peer reviewe

Role of synthetic plant extracts on the production of silver-derived nanoparticles

The main antioxidants present in plant extracts—quercetin, β-carotene, gallic acid, ascorbic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, catechin and scopoletin—are able to synthesize silver nanoparticles when reacting with a Ag NO3 solution. The UV-visible absorption spectrum recorded with most of the antioxidants shows the characteristic surface plasmon resonance band of silver nanoparticles. Nanoparticles synthesised with ascorbic, hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, and gallic acids and scopoletin are spherical. Nanoparticles synthesised with quercetin are grouped together to form micellar structures. Nanoparticles synthesised by β-carotene, were triangular and polyhedral forms with truncated corners. Pentagonal nanoparticles were synthesized with catechin. We used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to check that the biomolecules coat the synthesised silver nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffractograms showed the presence of silver, AgO, Ag2O, Ag3O4 and Ag2O3 . Rod-like structures were obtained with quercetin and gallic acid and cookie-like structures in the nanoparticles obtained with scopoletin, as a consequence of their reactivity with cyanide. This analysis explained the role played by the various agents responsible for the bio-reduction triggered by nanoparticle synthesis in their shape, size and activity. This will facilitate targeted synthesis and the application of biotechnological techniques to optimise the green synthesis of nanoparticles

FIVELAB: Laboratorio virtual de Fisiología Vegetal a través de la plataforma MOODLE

FiVeLab es un proyecto de innovación docente que incorpora el laboratorio virtual como herramienta básica para el aprendizaje online. Se propone la virtualización de las prácticas de Fisiología Vegetal en Moodle mediante vídeos, códigos QR y gamificación con Socrative. El objetivo fundamental de FiVeLab se enmarca en la modernización de las técnicas pedagógicas y adquisición de competencias digitales por parte del profesorado universitario de la unidad docente de Fisiología Vegetal y supone la consolidación de los recursos educativos virtuales en la metodología de enseñanza de un laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal dentro de los estudios de Grado de la Facultad de Biología de la UCM. La plataforma virtual utilizada es el entorno Moodle que ofrece herramientas que nos permitirán virtualizar las prácticas de laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal mediante la edición de vídeos, manuales y guion de prácticas con códigos QR que permiten redirigir al alumno a los distintos vídeos elaborados y cuestionarios de autoevaluación referidos a estas prácticas

COVID-19 Severity and Survival over Time in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Population-Based Registry Study

Mortality rates for COVID-19 have declined over time in the general population, but data in patients with hematologic malignancies are contradictory. We identified independent prognostic factors for COVID-19 severity and survival in unvaccinated patients with hematologic malignancies, compared mortality rates over time and versus non-cancer inpatients, and investigated post COVID-19 condition. Data were analyzed from 1166 consecutive, eligible patients with hematologic malignancies from the population-based HEMATO-MADRID registry, Spain, with COVID-19 prior to vaccination roll-out, stratified into early (February–June 2020; n = 769 (66%)) and later (July 2020–February 2021; n = 397 (34%)) cohorts. Propensity-score matched non-cancer patients were identified from the SEMI-COVID registry. A lower proportion of patients were hospitalized in the later waves (54.2%) compared to the earlier (88.6%), OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.11–0.20. The proportion of hospitalized patients admitted to the ICU was higher in the later cohort (103/215, 47.9%) compared with the early cohort (170/681, 25.0%, 2.77; 2.01–3.82). The reduced 30-day mortality between early and later cohorts of non-cancer inpatients (29.6% vs. 12.6%, OR 0.34; 0.22–0.53) was not paralleled in inpatients with hematologic malignancies (32.3% vs. 34.8%, OR 1.12; 0.81–1.5). Among evaluable patients, 27.3% had post COVID-19 condition. These findings will help inform evidence-based preventive and therapeutic strategies for patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 diagnosis.Depto. de MedicinaFac. de MedicinaTRUEFundación Madrileña de Hematología y HemoterapiaFundación Leucemia y LinfomaAsociación Madrileña de Hematología y Hemoterapiapu

Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency Diseases in Oncohaematology: Warning Signs, Diagnosis, and Management

Background: Immunodeficiencies (ID), in particular primary immunodeficiencies (PID), are often associated with haematological manifestations, such as peripheral cytopenias or lymphoproliferative syndromes. Early diagnosis and management have significant prognostic implications. Secondary immunodeficiencies (SID) may also be induced by oncohaematological diseases and their treatments. Haematologists and oncologists must therefore be aware of the association between blood disorders and cancer and ID, and be prepared to offer their patients appropriate treatment without delay. Our aim was to define the warning signs of primary and secondary IDs in paediatric and adult patients with oncohaematological manifestations.Methods: A multidisciplinary group of six experts (2 haematologists, 2 immunologists, and 2 paediatricians specializing in ID) conducted a literature review and prepared a document based on agreements reached an in-person meeting. An external group of 44 IDs specialists from all over Spain assessed the document and were consulted regarding their level of agreement.Results: This document identifies the haematological and extra-haematological diseases that should prompt a suspicion of PIDs in adults and children, in both primary care and haematology and oncology departments. Cytopenia and certain lymphoproliferative disorders are key diagnostic pointers. The diagnosis must be based on a detailed clinical history, physical exploration, complete blood count and standard laboratory tests. The immunological and haematological tests included in the diagnostic process will depend on the care level. Patients who are candidates for immunoglobulin replacement therapy must be carefully selected, and treatment should be offered as soon as possible to avoid the development of complications. Finally, this document recommends procedures for monitoring these patients.Conclusions: This document combines scientific evidence with the opinion of a broad panel of experts, and emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. The resulting document is a useful tool for primary care physicians and specialists who see both adult and paediatric patients with oncohaematological diseases

Soy Niña

Este libro pretende contribuir al reencuentro de la educación con esas finalidades que verdaderamente importan a una niña o un niño: ser feliz, jugar, vivir juntos y (no) aprender. Para ello hemos puesto el arte, nuestras experiencias y el saber acumulado al servicio del disfrute, el cuestionamiento, el análisis crítico y la construcción común de un presente deseable. Un texto colaborativo coordinado por Ignacio Calderón Almendros y realizado por alumnado de Educación y Cambio Social en el Grado en Educación Infantil de la Universidad de Málaga

Uno : revista de didáctica de las matemáticas

Resumen basado en el de la publicaciónSe presenta un cuentacuentos sobre mujeres matemáticas, dirigido tanto a educación primaria como a secundaria. A su vez, se incluye un pequeño taller para realizar en el aula.Biblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional; Calle San Agustín, 5 - 3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]

Actualización de la cirugía oral en el paciente anticoagulado

Abstract: Introduction: At this time, and only in the United Kingdom, about 300,000 people are taking oral anticoagulants. With an aging population in Europe and North America, and a greater worryness about teeth health, the number of oral anticoagulated patients requiring oral surgery is likely to increase. It is the aim of this study to give some guidelines in order to deal with the anticoagulated patient who requires oral surgery in its different ways. Matherial and methouds: The pertinent literature more recently published and indexed in Medline has been reviewed and compared. Besides, different surgery and clinics textbooks about the matter have been consulted. Results: Traditionally, anticoagulated patients requiring oral surgery were managed by either stopping their treatments or decreasing their anticoagulant levels before the surgical procedure. Common problems seen with this attitude were thrombi and vascular occlusion. Even, some cases of fatal emboli have been described. In the last years, some patients are converted from oral coagutherapy to parenteral standard heparin therapy before surgery. However, there is an important debate currently on whether this is required or even if it is safe. Recent publications show how teeth removal and other oral surgery procedures can be performed without modifying the anticoagulation regimens with INR (international normalized ratio) of 4 or less if special procedures for local haemostasis are used. No discernible differences in the postoperative outcome with regard to haemorrhage are found. Discussion: Even though further prospectives studies are needed in this area, it can be considered that the management of oral surgery on patients treated with anticoagulants should be influenced by different factors, such as type of surgical procedure, the INR value, other concomitant risk factors and a great deal of clinical judgement. Conclusions: We accept INR as an excellent method that allows the surgeon to know about the state of a patient¿s anticoagulation. Different guideliness for these patients¿ management are suggested. Any doubt should be referred to the haematologist or the physician prescriber.Resumen: Introducción: En el momento actual y sólo en el Reino Unido, alrededor de 300.000 personas están sometidas a anticoagulación oral. Con una población en claro envejecimiento en Europa y Norte América y una preocupación cada vez mayor en lo que especta a la salud dental, el número de pacientes anticoagulados de forma oral que requerirán algún tipo de cirugía oral está sujeto a incrementarse. Este estudio pretende proponer una serie de directrices a la hora de plantear el manejo de un paciente anticoagulado que va a requerir cualquier tipo de cirugía oral. Material y método: Se ha revisado y comparado la literatura más reciente indexada en Medline. Además se han consultado diferentes libros de texto sobre la materia. Resultados: Tradicionalmente, los pacientes anticoagulados que van ser sometidos a cirugía oral, venían siendo sometidos a una interrupción de su terapia o a una disminución de los niveles de anticoagulación antes del procedimiento quirúrgico. Fenómenos trombóticos y oclusiones vasculares son problemas comunes derivados de esta actitud. Incluso se han descrito algunos casos de embolia fatal. En los últimos años, en muchos pacientes se ha venido sustituyendo la coaguloterapia oral por una terapia de heparina parenteral estándar. Sin embargo, hay un importante debate suscitado sobre la idoneidad e, incluso, la seguridad de esta medida. Recientes publicaciones muestran que extracciones de piezas dentarias, y otro tipo de procedimientos quirúrgicos orales, pueden ser realizados sin modificar para nada la anticoagulación, si el INR (international normalized ratio) del paciente es de 4 o menor y se utilizan procedimientos especiales de hemostasia local. No se objetivan diferencias en cuanto al sangrado postoperatorio. Discusión: Aunque se requieren más estudios en esta materia, puede considerarse que el manejo del paciente anticoagulado sometido a cirugía oral debe estar influenciado por diversos factores como el tipo de procedimiento quirúrgico, el valor INR, otros factores de riesgo concomitantes y una importante dosis de juicio clínico. Conclusiones: Pensamos que el INR es un excelente índice que permite al cirujano conocer el estado de anticoagulación del paciente. Se proponen unas directrices para el manejo quirúrgico de este tipo de pacientes. Ante cualquier sombra de duda, debe buscarse el consejo del hematólogo o el médico prescriptor de la terapia

Impact of Silicon Addition on the Development of Gelled Pork Lard Emulsions with Controlled Lipid Digestibility for Application as Fat Replacers

Pork lard gelled emulsions stabilized with two proteins [soy protein concentrate (SPC) or a pork rind protein extract (PRP)], both with and without added silicon (Si) from diatomaceous earth powder, were gelled by microbial transglutaminase and к-carrageenan. These gelled emulsions (GEs), intended as fat replacers, were evaluated in different aspects, including microstructure and technological properties during chilling storage. In addition, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) with an analysis of lipolysis and lipid digestibility was also evaluated. All GEs showed adequate technological properties after 28 days of chilling storage, although the SPC-stabilized GEs showed better gravitational and thermal stability (~4% and ~6%, respectively) during chilling storage than the PRP-stabilized ones (~8 and ~12%, respectively). PRP developed larger flocculates restricting pancreatic lipase-mediated lipolysis during intestinal digestion. The addition of Si to both GE structures protected them against disruption during in vitro digestion. Accordingly, Si appears to slow down fat digestion, as reflected by higher triacylglycerides content after GID (15 and 22% vs. 10 and 18% in GEs without Si) and could become a potential candidate for use in the development of healthier meat products