Media and violence against women in the Basque Country: A self-regulation case study

In recent decades, given the crucial role played by the news media in fighting to eradicate violence against women, several organisations and legislative initiatives have begun self-regulating. This study analyses news coverage of gender-based murders in the Basque media over the course of three years, beginning with approval of rules for self-regulation. The results show that the media actively contribute to raising visibility of violence against women as a social problem, although reduced compliance with some of the recommendations indicates difficulty in practically applying them and disparate criteria from one journalist to another.Basque Institute for Women - Emakund

Valoración del riesgo de caries infantil en un servicio hospitalario de urgencias

Dental caries is a destruction of the mineralized tissues of the tooth and is the most prevalent chronic disease of children.  Objective: Determine, by a nurse study, the prevalence of high risk of dental caries among children treated at a hospital emergency room. Methods: We applied an adaptation of the form CAT (caries-risk assessment tool) proposed by the American Society of Pediatric Dentistry, consisting of 14 items for children over 7 years and 13 items for children under that age. The test has been applied considering the resorption time of the deciduous teeth in relation to the child's age studied. Results: The form has been completed in 101 children. 72.7% of children under 7 years old and 89.1% of those aged 7 years have one or more high risk factors for childhood caries. We found differences in the results, depending on the origin or ethnicity of the children studied. Conclusions: We determined the prevalence of risk for childhood caries. The Spanish nurses can and should play an active role in promoting children's oral health, actively applying their knowledgeLa caries es una destrucción de los tejidos mineralizados del diente, siendo la enfermedad crónica más prevalente del  niño.  Objetivos: Determinar, mediante un estudio de enfermería, la prevalencia de riesgo de caries en los niños que acuden a un Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalarias.  Método:  Aplicación del formulario validado para la evaluación de riesgo de caries propuesto por la Sociedad Americana de Odontopediatría,  con 14 ítems para niños de más de 7 años y 13 ítems  en menores de esa edad.  La aplicación de dicho formulario ha contemplado la caducidad de la dentición temporal en relación a la edad del niño estudiado.  Resultados: El formulario se ha completado en 101 niños. El 72.7% de los niños menores de 7 años  y el 89.1% de los mayores de 7 años presentan uno o más factores de alto riesgo para caries infantil, existiendo diferencias notables en los resultados, en función del origen de los niños o de su etnia. Los peores resultados los ofrecen los niños gitanos cuyo riesgo de caries es el 100% en grupos de cualquier edad.  Conclusiones: Hemos determinado mediante un  estudio de enfermería, la prevalencia de riesgo  de caries infantil. La Enfermería española puede y debe asumir un papel activo en la promoción de la salud oral infantil, aplicando activamente sus conocimiento

Synthesis and Characterization of Covalently Crosslinked pH-Responsive Hyaluronic Acid Nanogels: Effect of Synthesis Parameters

Stable hyaluronic acid nanogels were obtained following the water-in-oil microemulsion method by covalent crosslinking with three biocompatible crosslinking agents: Divinyl sulfone, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), and poly(ethylene glycol) bis(amine). All nanoparticles showed a pH-sensitive swelling behavior, according to the pKa value of hyaluronic acid, as a consequence of the ionization of the carboxylic moieties, as it was corroborated by zeta potential measurements. QELS studies were carried out to study the influence of the chemical structure of the crosslinking agents on the particle size of the obtained nanogels. In addition, the effect of the molecular weight of the biopolymer and the degree of crosslinking on the nanogels dimensions was also evaluated for BDDE crosslinked nanoparticles, which showed the highest pH-responsive response.This research was funded by the Government of the Basque Country (Grupos de Investigación, IT718-13, Frontiers, Programas Hazitek 2017–2018)

Neighbors, policemen or experts? The informative sources in the news about femicide

El adecuado uso de las fuentes informativas se ha identificado tradicionalmente como uno de los elementos más relevantes a la hora de informar sobre los asesinatos machistas. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de las ocasiones, estos tratamientos informativos se han caracterizado por la escasez de personas expertas que ofrezcan una visión más social del hecho. Este artículo recoge los resultados de una investigación en la que se analizaron 381 informaciones publicadas en los siete principales diarios de Euskadi relativas a los feminicidios ocurridos entre los años 2015 y 2017 y se profundizó con diez entrevistas a personas responsables de medios. Los resultados de la investigación muestran que el vecindario y las familias continúan siendo la fuente informativa más habitual, por delante de las instituciones políticas y las asociaciones feministas, y las fuentes policiales y judiciales. Por su parte, los responsables de los medios de comunicación son conscientes de los peligros del uso del vecindario como fuente informativa, y reconocen las dificultades para la correcta cobertura de este tipo de informaciones derivadas de las rutinas periodísticas.The proper use of information sources has traditionally been identified as one of the most relevant elements when reporting on gender-based murders. However, in most cases, these informative treatments have rarely resorted to experts who offer a more social view of the event. This article collects the results of an investigation in which 381 news published in the seven main newspapers of the Basque Country regarding femicides that occurred between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed. Likewise, ten interviews were conducted with media editors. The results of the investigation show that the neighborhood and families continue to be the most common source of information, ahead of political institutions and feminist associations, and police and judicial sources. For their part, media editors are aware of the dangers of using the neighborhood as a source of information, and they recognize the difficulties for the correct coverage of this type of information derived from journalistic routines

Analysis and description of HOLTIN service provision for AECG monitoring in complex indoor environments

In this work, a novel ambulatory ECG monitoring device developed in-house called HOLTIN is analyzed when operating in complex indoor scenarios. The HOLTIN system is described, from the technological platform level to its functional model. In addition, by using in-house 3D ray launching simulation code, the wireless channel behavior, which enables ubiquitous operation, is performed. The effect of human body presence is taken into account by a novel simplified model embedded within the 3D Ray Launching code. Simulation as well as measurement results are presented, showing good agreement. These results may aid in the adequate deployment of this novel device to automate conventional medical processes, increasing the coverage radius and optimizing energy consumption.The authors wish to thank the support given under project ENEIDA TEC2010-21563-C02-01, funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain

Non-criteria obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome: how different is from Sidney criteria? A single-center study

This study aims to compare the demographic characteristics, clinical features, serology, and fetal-maternal outcomes between women with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and those with non-criteria (NC)-APS and seronegative (SN)-APS. Two-hundred and sixty-three women with APS obstetric morbidity ever pregnant were included. Of those, 66 met the APS classification criteria, 140 were NC-APS, and 57 were SN-APS. Patients with other autoimmune diseases were excluded. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) included early pregnancy loss, fetal death, preeclampsia, abruptio placentae, and preterm birth. The mean age of the study group was 33.6 ± 5.3 years, and patients were followed up for 129.5 ± 81.9 months. In the NC-APS group, 31 (22.1%) did not fulfill clinical and serological criteria (Subgroup A), 49 (35%) did meet clinical but not serologic criteria (Subgroup B), and 60 (42.9%) fulfilled the serologic criteria but not the clinical ones (Subgroup C). The cardiovascular risk burden was higher in the APS group, due to a higher proportion of smoking. Patients with criteria APS received more intensive treatment than patients in the other study groups. The addition of standard of care (SoC) treatment significantly improved live birth and decreased APO in all groups. Significant clinical differences were observed between the study groups. However, when treated with SoC, fetal-maternal outcomes were similar, with a significant improvement in live births and a decrease in APO. Risk stratification in patients with obstetric morbidity associated with APS can help individualize their treatment

Oxidative stress and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation

Aging is a complex phenomenon characterized by the progressive loss of tissue and organ function. The oxidative-stress theory of aging postulates that age-associated functional losses are due to the accumulation of ROS-induced damage. Liver function impairment and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are common among the elderly. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and evolve to hepatic cirrhosis or hepatic carcinoma. Oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and inflammation play a key role in the progression of NAFLD. A growing body of evidence supports the therapeutic potential of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), mainly docosahaexenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on metabolic diseases based on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we performed a systematic review of clinical trials analyzing the efficacy of n-3 PUFA on both systemic oxidative stress and on NAFLD/NASH features in adults. As a matter of fact, it remains controversial whether n-3 PUFA are effective to counteract oxidative stress. On the other hand, data suggest that n-3 PUFA supplementation may be effective in the early stages of NAFLD, but not in patients with more severe NAFLD or NASH. Future perspectives and relevant aspects that should be considered when planning new randomized controlled trials are also discussed

Maresin 1 activates brown adipose tissue and promotes browning of white adipose tissue in mice

Objective Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a docosahexaenoic acid-derived proresolving lipid mediator with insulin-sensitizing and anti-steatosis properties. Here, we aim to unravel MaR1 actions on brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. Methods MaR1 actions were tested in cultured murine brown adipocytes and in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC)-derived adipocytes. In vivo effects of MaR1 were tested in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and lean WT and Il6 knockout (Il6−/−) mice. Results In cultured differentiated murine brown adipocytes, MaR1 reduces the expression of inflammatory genes, while stimulates glucose uptake, fatty acid utilization and oxygen consumption rate, along with the upregulation of mitochondrial mass and genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function and the thermogenic program. In Leucine Rich Repeat Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 6 (LGR6)-depleted brown adipocytes using siRNA, the stimulatory effect of MaR1 on thermogenic genes was abrogated. In DIO mice, MaR1 promotes BAT remodeling, characterized by higher expression of genes encoding for master regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function and iBAT thermogenic activation, together with increased M2 macrophage markers. In addition, MaR1-treated DIO mice exhibit a better response to cold-induced BAT activation. Moreover, MaR1 induces a beige adipocyte signature in inguinal WAT of DIO mice and in hMSC-derived adipocytes. MaR1 potentiates Il6 expression in brown adipocytes and BAT of cold exposed lean WT mice. Interestingly, the thermogenic properties of MaR1 were abrogated in Il6−/− mice. Conclusions These data reveal MaR1 as a novel agent that promotes BAT activation and WAT browning by regulating thermogenic program in adipocytes and M2 polarization of macrophages. Moreover, our data suggest that LGR6 receptor is mediating MaR1 actions on brown adipocytes, and that IL-6 is required for the thermogenic effects of MaR1

Maresin 1 activates brown adipose tissue and promotes browning of white adipose tissue in mice

[Objective]: Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a docosahexaenoic acid-derived proresolving lipid mediator with insulin-sensitizing and anti-steatosis properties. Here, we aim to unravel MaR1 actions on brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. [Methods]: MaR1 actions were tested in cultured murine brown adipocytes and in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC)-derived adipocytes. In vivo effects of MaR1 were tested in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and lean WT and Il6 knockout (Il6−/−) mice. [Results]: In cultured differentiated murine brown adipocytes, MaR1 reduces the expression of inflammatory genes, while stimulates glucose uptake, fatty acid utilization and oxygen consumption rate, along with the upregulation of mitochondrial mass and genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function and the thermogenic program. In Leucine Rich Repeat Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 6 (LGR6)-depleted brown adipocytes using siRNA, the stimulatory effect of MaR1 on thermogenic genes was abrogated. In DIO mice, MaR1 promotes BAT remodeling, characterized by higher expression of genes encoding for master regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function and iBAT thermogenic activation, together with increased M2 macrophage markers. In addition, MaR1-treated DIO mice exhibit a better response to cold-induced BAT activation. Moreover, MaR1 induces a beige adipocyte signature in inguinal WAT of DIO mice and in hMSC-derived adipocytes. MaR1 potentiates Il6 expression in brown adipocytes and BAT of cold exposed lean WT mice. Interestingly, the thermogenic properties of MaR1 were abrogated in Il6−/− mice. [Conclusions]: These data reveal MaR1 as a novel agent that promotes BAT activation and WAT browning by regulating thermogenic program in adipocytes and M2 polarization of macrophages. Moreover, our data suggest that LGR6 receptor is mediating MaR1 actions on brown adipocytes, and that IL-6 is required for the thermogenic effects of MaR1.The authors received support for the current study from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (grants BFU2012-36089 to MJM-A; BFU2015-65937-R to MJM-A, SL-C; PID2019-106982RB-I00 to MJM-A; SAF2017-83813-C3-1-R to LH and PID2021-122766OB-I00 to AMV), cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); Dept. of Health, Navarra Government (67–2015) to MJM-A; Merck Health Foundation to LH; CIBEROBN (CB12/03/30002; CB06/03/0001; CB06/03/0025) and CIBERDEM (CB07/08/0033) from ISCIII (Spain). “Juan de la Cierva” Grant to MF-G (IJCI-2016-30025) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. Predoctoral grant to LML (Asociación de Amigos, Universidad de Navarra/“la Caixa” Banking Foundation) and to LM-F (FPI, BES-2013-064970). S.Q.-V. is supported by a fellowship from the Vicente Lopez Program (Eurecat).Peer reviewe