Les controvèrsies sòcio-científiques com a contextos d'aprenentatge i comunicació a l'aula. Anàlisi de crítica de la informació i habilitats comunicatives

La formulació de propostes de treball amb controvèrsies sòcio-científiques (o CSC) implica treballar tres eixos fonamentals: la definició i proposta de dilemes rellevants, i el treball explícit de la lectura crítica i altres habilitats comunicatives com el debat. Es proposen criteris i estratègies de treball en aquestes tres línies i un marc general de tipus de CSC.Constructing learning activities with Socio-Scientific Issues implies the development of three key axes: the proposal of relevant dilemmas on the one side, and the explicit work on critical reading and communicative skills (as debating) on the other side. We propose in this article methodologic frames and strategies on these three axes and a general frame of the kinds of Socio-Scientifis Issues

Author Correction : Expression-based GWAS identifies variants, gene interactions and key regulators affecting intramuscular fatty acid content and composition in porcine meat

Altres ajuts: "Personal Investigador en Formació" (PIF) grant from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (458-01-1/2011)Aquesta és una correcció a l'article 10.1038/srep3180

Exploring Renal Changes after Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Severe Obesity

Albuminuria; Aldosterone; Glucose metabolismAlbuminuria; Aldosterona; Metabolismo de la glucosaAlbuminúria; Aldosterona; Metabolisme de la glucosaObesity-related hyperfiltration leads to an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and hyperalbuminuria. These changes are reversible after bariatric surgery (BS). We aimed to explore obesity-related renal changes post-BS and to seek potential mechanisms. Sixty-two individuals with severe obesity were prospectively examined before and 3, 6 and 12 months post-BS. Anthropometric and laboratory data, 24 h-blood pressure, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) components, adipokines and inflammatory markers were determined. Both estimated GFR (eGFR) and albuminuria decreased from the baseline at all follow-up times (p-for-trend <0.001 for both). There was a median (IQR) of 30.5% (26.2–34.4) reduction in body weight. Plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting insulin and HOMA-index decreased at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up (p-for-trend <0.001 for all). The plasma aldosterone concentration (median (IQR)) also decreased at 12 months (from 87.8 ng/dL (56.8; 154) to 65.4 (56.8; 84.6), p = 0.003). Both leptin and hs-CRP decreased (p < 0.001) and adiponectine levels increased at 12 months post-BS (p = 0.017). Linear mixed-models showed that body weight (coef. 0.62, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.93, p < 0.001) and plasma aldosterone (coef. −0.07, 95% CI: −0.13 to −0.02, p = 0.005) were the independent variables for changes in eGFR. Conversely, glycosylated hemoglobin was the only independent variable for changes in albuminuria (coef. 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.42, p = 0.009). In conclusion, body weight and aldosterone are the main factors that mediate eGFR changes in obesity and BS, while albuminuria is associated with glucose homeostasis.The research reported in this publication was supported by the Spanish Society of Nephrology (Grant for Clinical Investigation. 2014) and by the Spanish Ministry of Health ISCIII RedinRen RD16/0009/0013

Remodeling of Kv7.1 and Kv7.5 Expression in Vascular Tumors

Voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels contribute to the excitability of nerves and muscles. In addition, Kv participates in several cell functions, including cell cycle progression and proliferation. Kv channel remodeling has been associated with neoplastic cell growth and cancer. Kv7 channels are expressed in blood vessels, and they participate in the maintenance of vascular tone and are implicated in myocyte proliferation. Although evidence links Kv7 remodeling to different types of cancer, its expression in vascular tumors has never been studied. Endothelium-derived vascular neoplasms range from indolent lesions to highly aggressive and metastasizing cancers. Here, we show that Kv7.1 and Kv7.5 are evenly distributed in tunicas as well as the endothelium of healthy veins and arteries. The layered structure of vessels is lost in vascular tumors. By studying eight vascular tumors with different origins and characteristics, we found that Kv7.1 and Kv7.5 expression was changed in vascular cancers. While both channels were generally downregulated, Kv7.5 expression was clearly correlated with neoplastic malignancy. The vascular tumors did not contract; therefore, the role of Kv7 channels is probably related to proliferation rather than controlling vascular tone. Our results identify vascular Kv7 channels as targets for cancer detection and anticancer therapies

Specific activity of superoxide dismutase in stallion seminal plasma is related to sperm cryotolerance

While the removal of seminal plasma is a routine practice prior to equine sperm cryopreservation, this fluid contains the main source of antioxidant enzymes able to scavenge these reactive oxygen species. Therefore, stallion seminal plasma components may have an impact on ejaculate freezability. Against this background, this study was designed to investigate whether the activities of the main stallion seminal plasma antioxidant enzymes are related to sperm cryotolerance. With this purpose, 16 ejaculates were collected from 14 healthy stallions, and each ejaculate was split into two aliquots. The first one was used to evaluate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR) in seminal plasma. The second aliquot was extended and then processed for cryopreservation. Sperm motility and viability were evaluated before and after cryopreservation, and ejaculates were classified as of good (GFE) or poor freezability (PFE) based on total motile and viable spermatozoa at post-thaw. We observed that, while the specific activities of CAT, GPX, and GSR were similar between GFE and PFE, that of SOD was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in GFE than in PFE. We can thus conclude that, in stallions, the specific activity of SOD in the seminal plasma of a given ejaculate might be related to its freezability

Jóvenes profesionales del sur de Europa a México : razones para migrar, inserción laboral y expectativas de futuro

Debido a la crisis económica de 2008, la literatura académica ha observado una movilidad creciente de jóvenes calificados del sur de Europa a países con mayores oportunidades laborales. A partir de una metodología cualitativa, se analiza la migración de jóvenes universitarios (menores de 30 años) españoles e italianos a México. Se exponen, primero, los factores de expulsión de este grupo de sus países de origen; segundo, las causas de su migración (se ha encontrado que no siempre se desplazan hacia allí por razones de trabajo); tercero, su inserción laboral, aspecto en el que se observan discursos contradictorios (aprecio por poder desarrollarse en sus profesiones, pero no contar en ocasiones con condiciones de empleo o salariales satisfactorias), y, por último, las expectativas de futuro, cuyas narrativas también muestran cierta contradicción, es decir, están satisfechos con el trabajo que han obtenido en México, pero desean regresar al país de origen.Arran de la crisi econòmica de 2008, la literatura acadèmica ha observat una mobilitat creixent de joves qualificats del sud d'Europa cap a països amb més oportunitats laborals. A partir d'una metodologia qualitativa, a l'article s'hi analitza la migració de joves universitaris (de menys de 30 anys) espanyols i italians a Mèxic. S'hi exposen, primer, els factors d'expulsió d'aquest grup dels seus països d'origen; segon, els motius per migrar a Mèxic (s'ha trobat que no sempre se n'hi van per raons laborals); tercer, la seva inserció laboral, on s'observen discursos contradictoris (valoració del fet de poder desenvolupar les seves professions, però, segons com, no gaudir de condicions laborals o salarials satisfactòries), i, per últim, les expectatives de futur, les narratives del qual també mostren una certa contradicció, és a dir, estan satisfets amb la feina que han obtingut a Mèxic, però desitgen tornar al seu país d'origen.As reported in the literature, the number of young skilled people migrating from Southern Europe to countries with more labour opportunities has increased following the 2008 economic crisis. Using a qualitative methodology, this paper analyses the migration of young university graduates (under 30) from Italy and Spain to Mexico. First, the paper focuses on push factors in their countries of origin. Secondly, it analyses reasons for migration to Mexico and concludes that these young people do not always migrate for labour reasons. Thirdly, interviewees have contradictory discourses regarding their labour incorporation (i.e. they appreciate the opportunity to develop their careers, but some lack satisfactory labour and wage conditions). Finally, in relation to their expectations for the future, they also show some contradictory discourses (e.g. positive feelings about working in a career-related job and a desire to return to their countries of origin).La littérature a observé une migration croissante des jeunes qualifiés de l'Europe du sud, à cause de la crise économique de 2008, vers des pays présentant de plus nombreuses possibilités d'emploi. À partir d'une méthodologie qualitative, nous analysons la migration des jeunes universitaires (de moins de 30 ans) espagnols et italiens vers le Mexique. Nous exposons tout d'abord les facteurs d'expulsion de ce groupe de leur pays d'origine. Nous exposons ensuite les raisons pour migrer, soulignant que ces jeunes ne migrent pas toujours pour le travail. Le troisième aspect est l'incorporation au marché du travail, où l'on observe des discours contradictoires (les jeunes apprécient la chance de pouvoir se développer sur le plan professionnel, mais certains d'entre eux n'ont pas de conditions de travail ou de salaire satisfaisantes). Finalement, nous analysons les attentes face à l'avenir et leurs récits montrent aussi une certaine contradiction (satisfaction pour leur travail au Mexique mais désir de revenir aux pays d'origine)

Enzyme self-label-bound ATTO700 in single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy

Herein, we evaluate near-infrared ATTO700 as an acceptor in SNAP- and Halo-tag protein labelling for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) by ensemble and single molecule measurements. Microscopy of cell surface proteins in live cells is perfomed including super-resolution stimulated emission by depletion (STED) nanoscopy

Nuevas perspectivas de análisis para entender la migración cualificada del sur de Europa hacia México

This article focuses on skilled migration flows from Southern Europe into Mexico. From semi-structured interviews with Spanish and Italian immigrants living in four Mexican cities of Mexico, it addresses both reasons for immigration and labour incorporation in Mexican labour markets. Specifically, it explores: i) the role of the economic crisis and the lack of good employment in the countries of origin as a key factor when deciding an international migration; ii) the employment opportunities offered in Mexican labour markets for the highly-skilled immigrants, and iii) the role played by the Mexican state and its current immigration law when channelling this group into the labour marke