The multidimensional character of semiotics and their representation in thesauri

[Resumen] La investigación se centra en el estudio del carácter multidimensional de la semiótica y su representación en tesauros. Se parte de los postulados teóricos de Eco (1991) y Jofré (1997), entre otros, quienes presentan a la semiótica como una red interdisciplinaria, como campo transdisciplinario y como metateoría. Metodológicamente, se sustenta en el análisis de dominio (Hjørland; Albrechtsen, 1995; López-Huertas, 2006) para la interpretación de la multidimensionalidad disciplinar de la semiótica y su representación en tesauros. Se obtuvo que, el análisis de dominio ratifica el carácter multidimensional de los saberes semióticos derivado del elevado grado de cooperación de esta ciencia en la interpretación y significación de los objetos semióticos. Del análisis estructural de las clases y áreas temáticas de los tesauros, se obtuvo que las mismas no guardan correspondencia con los dominios inter-transdisciplinarios aquí identificados. Se recomienda profundizar los estudios terminológicos para la verificación del origen y reconceptualización de los términos, así como desarrollar un sistema de representación del conocimiento que integre los dominios con los cuales dialoga esta macro-categoría científica.[Abstract] This study centers on the multidimensional character of semiotics and its representation in thesauri. It is based on the theoretical postulates of Eco (1991) and Jofré (1997), among others, who present semiotics as an interdisciplinary network, as a transdisciplinary field and as metatheory. Methodologically, it rests on domain analysis (Hjørland; Albrechtsen, 1995; López-Huertas, 2006) for interpreting the disciplinary multidimensionality of semiotics and its representation in thesauri. It was found that domain analysis ratifies the multidimensional character of semiotic knowledge derived from a high degree of cooperation by this science in the interpretation and signification of semiotic objects. From a structural analysis of the classes and thematic areas of the thesauri, it was found that these do not correspond with the intertransdisciplinary domains identified herein. Recommendations are to deepen terminological studies in order to verify the origin and reconceptualization of the terms, as well as develop a system for representing knowledge that integrates the domains with which this macro scientific category dialogs

FOXE1 regulates migration and invasion in thyroid cancer cells and targets ZEB1

FOXE1 is a thyroid-specific transcription factor essential for thyroid gland development and maintenance of the differentiated state. Interestingly, a strong association has been recently described between FOXE1 expression and susceptibility to thyroid cancer, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying FOXE1-induced thyroid tumorigenesis. Here, we used a panel of human thyroid cancer-derived cell line s covering the spectrum of thyroid cancer phenotypes to examine FOXE1 expression and to test for correlations between FOXE1 expression, the allele frequency of two SNPs and a length polymorphism in or near the FOXE1 locus associated with cancer susceptibility, and the migration ability of thyroid cancer cell lines. Results showed that FOXE1 expression correlated with differentiation status according to histological sub-type, but not with SNP genotype or cell migration ability. However, loss-and-gain-of-function experiments revealed that FOXE1 modulates cell migration, suggesting a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our previous genome-wide expression analysis identified Zeb1, a major EMT inducer, as a putative Foxe1 target gene. Indeed, gene silencing of FOXE1 decreased ZEB1 expression, whereas its overexpression increased ZEB1 transcriptional activity. FOXE1 was found to directly interact with the ZEB1 promoter. Lastly, ZEB1 silencing decreased the ability of thyroid tumoral cells to migrate and invade, pointing to its im portance in thyroid tumor mestastases. In conclusion, we have identified ZEB1 as a bona fide target of FOXE1 in thyroid cancer cells, which provides new insights into the role of FOXE1 in regulating cell migration and invasion in thyroid cancerThis work was supported by grants SAF2016-75531-R from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU), Spain, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER, B2017/BMD-3724 from Comunidad de Madrid, and GCB14142311CRES from Fundación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC)

Presence and distribution of urocortin and corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptors in the bovine thyroid gland

Urocortin (UCN), a 40 amino acid peptide is a Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) related peptide. The biological actions of CRH family peptides are mediated via two types of G-protein coupled receptors, CRH type 1 (CRHR1) and CRH type 2 (CRHR2). The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 by immunoprecipitation, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in the bovine thyroid gland. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis showed that tissue extracts reacted with the anti-UCN, -CRHR1 and –CRHR2 antibodies. RT-PCR experiments demonstrated that mRNAs of UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 were expressed. UCN-immunoreactivity (IR) and CRHR2–IR were found in the thyroid follicular and parafollicular cells and CRHR1-IR in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels. These results suggest that a regulatory system exists in the bovine thyroid gland based on UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 and that UCN plays a role in the regulation of thyroid physiological functions through an autocrine/paracrine mechanis

Abastecimiento de alimentos y economía popular en Bogotá y algunos municipios aledaños en tiempos de pandemia

The article analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the policies implemented in the state of economic and social emergency on the socioeconomic conditions of urban popular sellers and peasant producers involved in food supply. The city of Bogotá and the municipalities of Choachí and Fusagasugá (Cundinamarca) are taken as case studies. The research is based on a methodology that rescues the testimonies of the workers of these economies, testimonies that are analyzed together with the statistical description and in a heterodox theoretical framework on work and social reproduction. Based on interviews and the review of regulations, official reports and other pertinent bibliography, the effects of the health crisis on the labor and socioeconomic conditions of peasants and food vendors classified under the concept of popular economies are examined. The research concludes that the effects of the pandemic deepened the structural problems suffered by these economies, particularly due to the effects on economic activities and the limited nature of emergency policies, while highlighting their ability to adapt, community strengthening and innovation to face the crisis.El artículo analiza los efectos de la pandemia COVID-19 y de las políticas implementadas en el estado de emergencia económica y social sobre las condiciones socioeconómicas de vendedores populares urbanos y productores campesinos involucrados en el abastecimiento de alimentos. Se toman como estudios de caso la ciudad de Bogotá y los municipios de Choachí y Fusagasugá (Cundinamarca). La investigación se fundamenta en una metodología que rescata los testimonios de los trabajadores de estas economías, testimonios que son conjuntamente analizados con la descripción estadística y en un marco teórico heterodoxo sobre el trabajo y la reproducción social. A partir de la realización de entrevistas y de la revisión de normas, informes oficiales y otra bibliografía pertinente, se examinan los efectos de la crisis sanitaria en el trabajo y las condiciones socioeconómicas de campesinos y vendedores de alimentos clasificados bajo el concepto de economías populares. La investigación concluye que los efectos de la pandemia profundizaron problemas de índole estructural que padecen estas economías, en particular por las afectaciones sobre las actividades económicas y el carácter limitado de las políticas de emergencia, al tiempo que destaca su capacidad de adaptación, fortalecimiento comunitario e innovación para hacer frente a la crisis

Reduced sTWEAK and Increased sCD163 Levels in HIVInfected Patients: Modulation by Antiretroviral Treatment, HIV Replication and HCV Co-Infection

Background: Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to increased inflammation and persistent immune activation. CD163 is a macrophage scavenger receptor that is involved in monocyte-macrophage activation in HIV-infected patients. CD163 interacts with TWEAK, a member of the TNF superfamily. Circulating levels of sTWEAK and sCD163 have been previously associated with cardiovascular disease, but no previous studies have fully analyzed their association with HIV. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze circulating levels of sTWEAK and sCD163 as well as other known markers of inflammation (hsCRP, IL-6 and sTNFRII) and endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1 and ADMA) in 26 patients with HIV before and after 48 weeks of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 23 healthy subjects. Results: Patients with HIV had reduced sTWEAK levels and increased sCD163, sVCAM-1, ADMA, hsCRP, IL-6 and sTNFRII plasma concentrations, as well as increased sCD163/sTWEAK ratio, compared with healthy subjects. Antiretroviral treatment significantly reduced the concentrations of sCD163, sVCAM-1, hsCRP and sTNFRII, although they remained elevated when compared with healthy subjects. Antiretroviral treatment had no effect on the concentrations of ADMA and sTWEAK, biomarkers associated with endothelial function. The use of protease inhibitors as part of antiretroviral therapy and the presence of HCV-HIV co-infection and/or active HIV replication attenuated the ART-mediated decrease in sCD163 plasma concentrations. Conclusion: HIV-infected patients showed a proatherogenic profile characterized by increased inflammatory, immuneactivation and endothelial-dysfunction biomarkers that partially improved after ART. HCV-HIV co-infection and/or active HIV replication enhanced immune activation despite ART.Redes Temáticas de Investigación en SIDA (ISCIII RETIC RD12/0017/0029 and RD12/0017/0037)Junta de Andalucía, Incentivos a proyectos de investigación de excelencia (CTS-6313, to Manolo Leal)Consejería de Salud (PI-0278)FIS PI10/00234 to LMBC and Programa Miguel Servet: CP10/00479 and PI13/00802 to JAMFundacion Lilly, FRIAT and ISCIII fund PI10/0007

Complicaciones respiratorias en pacientes post quirúrgicos de cirugia abdominal alta en una unidad de cuidado intensivo de III nivel

Objetivo: El presente estudio, tiene como objetivo identificar las complicaciones respiratorias adquiridas en los pacientes post-quirúrgicos de cirugía abdominal alta en la Fundación Hospital San Pedro de la ciudad de San Juan de Pasto, así como la intervención por parte de Fisioterapia Respiratoria en este tipo de pacientes. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo retrospectivo, de una cohorte de 68 pacientes sometidos a cirugía abdominal alta, que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión en el período comprendido entre septiembre de 2012 y septiembre de 2013, a través de la revisión de historias clínicas y radiografías de tórax. Resultados: Dentro de los resultados obtenidos, se encontró que las complicaciones respiratorias de mayor prevalencia, fueron Derrame pleural (24%) y Neumotórax (15%), dentro del grupo de complicaciones extrapulmonares, mientras que las atelectasias (24%) y neumonías (12%), se evidenciaron dentro de las complicaciones intrapulmonares. Con relación a las técnicas para fisioterapia del tórax utilizadas con mayor frecuencia en la unidad de cuidado intensivo, se encontraron dentro de las maniobras de desobstrucción bronquial la aerosol terapia: micronebulización (76%) y aspiración de secreciones con un 61%, además se utilizaron técnicas como drenaje postural (24%), vibración (5%), percusión(5%), tos (15%) e inhalo terapia (2%), mientras que dentro de las maniobras de re expansión pulmonar la VMN I(24%), los ejercicios respiratorios (68%) e incentivo respiratorio(6%) fueron las maniobras comúnmente más utilizadas, cabe aclarar que a algunos pacientes fueron intervenidos con combinación de algunas técnicas

Reflexos de uma Lógica Mercadológica no Ensino Superior

O presente trabalho visou problematizar as possibilidades e o lugar do docente de ensino superior dentro de um escopo de uma política voltada para uma racionalidade neoliberal, a qual prima por grande produtividade, desenvolvimento pessoal meritocrático, pela lógica da concorrência e da competitividade, bem como – em especial recorte deste artigo ao contexto acadêmico – na transformação das Instituições de Ensino Superior tomadas enquanto empresas, que devem responder às demandas e preceitos da gestão à qual são submetidas. Neste contexto, a formação do docente é amplamente atravessada pela ênfase na produção massiva de conteúdo acadêmico, em detrimento da formação didática e do incentivo ao pensamento crítico no ensino. Partindo do contexto histórico no qual a universidade se insere hoje, o presente artigo buscou discutir como as implicações da demanda mercadológica para a universidade recaem no exercício da docência, tendo como questão norteadora: os professores apresentam condições formativas para enfrentar as novas demandas que se impõe à universidade?

Comparative study of the primary cilia in thyrocytes of adult mammals

Since their discovery in different human tissues by Zimmermann in 1898, primary cilia have been found in the vast majority of cell types in vertebrates. Primary cilia are considered to be cellular antennae that occupy an ideal cellular location for the interpretation of information both from the environment and from other cells. To date, in mammalian thyroid gland, primary cilia have been found in the thyrocytes of humans and dogs (fetuses and adults) and in rat embryos. The present study investigated whether the existence of this organelle in follicular cells is a general event in the postnatal thyroid gland of different mammals, using both immunolabeling by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Furthermore, we aimed to analyse the presence of primary cilia in various thyroid cell lines. According to our results, primary cilia are present in the adult thyroid gland of most mammal species we studied (human, pig, guinea pig and rabbit), usually as a single copy per follicular cell. Strikingly, they were not found in rat or mouse thyroid tissues. Similarly, cilia were also observed in all human thyroid cell lines tested, both normal and neoplastic follicular cells, but not in cultured thyrocytes of rat origin. We hypothesize that primary cilia could be involved in the regulation of normal thyroid function through specific signaling pathways. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to shed light on the permanence of these organelles in the thyroid gland of most species during postnatal life.Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa CTS-439/2011Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa CTS-229/2011Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Salud PI-0051-201

How universal is coverage and access to diagnosis and treatment for Chagas disease in Colombia? A health systems analysis

Limited access to Chagas disease diagnosis and treatment is a major obstacle to reaching the 2020 World Health Organization milestones of delivering care to all infected and ill patients. Colombia has been identified as a health system in transition, reporting one of the highest levels of health insurance coverage in Latin America. We explore if and how this high level of coverage extends to those with Chagas disease, a traditionally marginalised population. Using a mixed methods approach, we calculate coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment of Chagas. We then identify supply-side constraints both quantitatively and qualitatively. A review of official registries of tests and treatments for Chagas disease delivered between 2008 and 2014 is compared to estimates of infected people. Using the Flagship Framework, we explore barriers limiting access to care. Screening coverage is estimated at 1.2% of the population at risk. Aetiological treatment with either benznidazol or nifurtimox covered 0.3-0.4% of the infected population. Barriers to accessing screening, diagnosis and treatment are identified for each of the Flagship Framework's five dimensions of interest: financing, payment, regulation, organization and persuasion. The main challenges identified were: a lack of clarity in terms of financial responsibilities in a segmented health system, claims of limited resources for undertaking activities particularly in primary care, non-inclusion of confirmatory test(s) in the basic package of diagnosis and care, poor logistics in the distribution and supply chain of medicines, and lack of awareness of medical personnel. Very low screening coverage emerges as a key obstacle hindering access to care for Chagas disease. Findings suggest serious shortcomings in this health system for Chagas disease, despite the success of universal health insurance scale-up in Colombia. Whether these shortcomings exist in relation to other neglected tropical diseases needs investigating. We identify opportunities for improvement that can inform additional planned health reforms. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license