Transcriptome profiling of gene expression during immunisation trial against Fasciola hepatica : Identification of genes and pathways involved in conferring immunoprotection in a murine model

Background: Fasciolosis remains a significant food-borne trematode disease causing high morbidity around the world and affecting grazing animals and humans. A deeper understanding concerning the molecular mechanisms by which Fasciola hepatica infection occurs, as well as the molecular basis involved in acquiring protection is extremely important when designing and selecting new vaccine candidates. The present study provides a first report of microarray-based technology for describing changes in the splenic gene expression profile for mice immunised with a highly effective, protection-inducing, multi-epitope, subunit-based, chemically-synthesised vaccine candidate against F. hepatica. Methods: The mice were immunised with synthetic peptides containing B- and T-cell epitopes, which are derived from F. hepatica cathepsin B and amoebapore proteins, as novel vaccine candidates against F. hepatica formulated in an adjuvant adaptation vaccination system; they were experimentally challenged with F. hepatica metacercariae. Spleen RNA from mice immunised with the highest protection-inducing synthetic peptides was isolated, amplified and labelled using Affymetrix standardised protocols. Data was then background corrected, normalised and the expression signal was calculated. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool was then used for analysing differentially expressed gene identifiers for annotating bio-functions and constructing and visualising molecular interaction networks. Results: Mice immunised with a combination of three peptides containing T-cell epitopes induced high protection against experimental challenge according to survival rates and hepatic damage scores. It also induced differential expression of 820 genes, 168 genes being up-regulated and 652 genes being down-regulated, p value <0.05, fold change ranging from -2.944 to 7.632. A functional study of these genes revealed changes in the pathways related to nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production, Interleukin-12 signalling and production in macrophages and Interleukin-8 signalling with up-regulation of S100 calcium-binding protein A8, Matrix metallopeptidase 9 and CXC chemokine receptor 2 genes. Conclusion: The data obtained in the present study provided us with a more comprehensive overview concerning the possible molecular pathways implied in inducing protection against F. hepatica in a murine model, which could be useful for evaluating future vaccine candidates. © 2017 The Author(s)

Prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infection in immigrants living in Spain

BACKGROUND: The importance of submicroscopic malaria infections in high-transmission areas could contribute to maintain the parasite cycle. Regarding non-endemic areas, its importance remains barely understood because parasitaemia in these afebrile patients is usually below the detection limits for microscopy, hence molecular techniques are often needed for its diagnosis. In addition to this, the lack of standardized protocols for the screening of submicroscopic malaria in immigrants from endemic areas may underestimate the infection with Plasmodium spp. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of submicroscopic malaria in afebrile immigrants living in a non-endemic area. METHODS: A prospective, observational, multicentre study was conducted. Afebrile immigrants were included, microscopic observation of Giemsa-stained thin and thick blood smears, and two different molecular techniques detecting Plasmodium spp. were performed. Patients with submicroscopic malaria were defined as patients with negative blood smears and detection of DNA of Plasmodium spp. with one or both molecular techniques. Demographic, clinical, analytical and microbiological features were recorded and univariate analysis by subgroups was carried out with STATA v15. RESULTS: A total of 244 afebrile immigrants were included in the study. Of them, 14 had a submicroscopic malaria infection, yielding a prevalence of 5.7% (95% confidence interval 3.45-9.40). In 71.4% of the positive PCR/negative microscopy cases, Plasmodium falciparum alone was the main detected species (10 out of the 14 patients) and in 4 cases (28.6%) Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium ovale were detected. One patient had a mixed infection including three different species. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of submicroscopic malaria in afebrile immigrants was similar to that previously described in Spain. Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale were detected in almost a third of the submicroscopic infections. Screening protocols for afebrile immigrants with molecular techniques could be useful for a proper management of these patients.This work was funded by projects PI14/01671, PI17/01791 and PI14CIII/00014, from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness) and cofounded by the European Regional Development Fund, and approved by the Ethics Committee of our Institution. There was no funding from the PCR manufacturers; they did not play any role in data analysis or in the reporting of the results.S

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Transcriptome profiling of gene expression during immunisation trial against Fasciola hepatica : Identification of genes and pathways involved in conferring immunoprotection in a murine model

Background: Fasciolosis remains a significant food-borne trematode disease causing high morbidity around the world and affecting grazing animals and humans. A deeper understanding concerning the molecular mechanisms by which Fasciola hepatica infection occurs, as well as the molecular basis involved in acquiring protection is extremely important when designing and selecting new vaccine candidates. The present study provides a first report of microarray-based technology for describing changes in the splenic gene expression profile for mice immunised with a highly effective, protection-inducing, multi-epitope, subunit-based, chemically-synthesised vaccine candidate against F. hepatica. Methods: The mice were immunised with synthetic peptides containing B- and T-cell epitopes, which are derived from F. hepatica cathepsin B and amoebapore proteins, as novel vaccine candidates against F. hepatica formulated in an adjuvant adaptation vaccination system; they were experimentally challenged with F. hepatica metacercariae. Spleen RNA from mice immunised with the highest protection-inducing synthetic peptides was isolated, amplified and labelled using Affymetrix standardised protocols. Data was then background corrected, normalised and the expression signal was calculated. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool was then used for analysing differentially expressed gene identifiers for annotating bio-functions and constructing and visualising molecular interaction networks. Results: Mice immunised with a combination of three peptides containing T-cell epitopes induced high protection against experimental challenge according to survival rates and hepatic damage scores. It also induced differential expression of 820 genes, 168 genes being up-regulated and 652 genes being down-regulated, p value <0.05, fold change ranging from -2.944 to 7.632. A functional study of these genes revealed changes in the pathways related to nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production, Interleukin-12 signalling and production in macrophages and Interleukin-8 signalling with up-regulation of S100 calcium-binding protein A8, Matrix metallopeptidase 9 and CXC chemokine receptor 2 genes. Conclusion: The data obtained in the present study provided us with a more comprehensive overview concerning the possible molecular pathways implied in inducing protection against F. hepatica in a murine model, which could be useful for evaluating future vaccine candidates. © 2017 The Author(s)

Uso de Internet como herramienta de comunicación

Resumen basado en el del proyecto. Premiado en la convocatoria: Premios para proyectos de innovación concluidos durante el curso 2006-2007, en los centros educativos no universitarios sostenidos con fondos públicos de la Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla-La Mancha (Orden 30-01-2008, de la Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha. Resolución de 15-05-2009, de la Viceconsejería de Educación)El proyecto se desarrolla en el CRA Molinos del Júcar que agrupa los pueblos conquenses de Casas de Benítez, El Picazo, Pozoamargo, Rubielos Bajos y Tébar. Se pretende profundizar en las habilidades lingüísticas de la lengua inglesa y desarrollar la competencia digital del alumnado. Se lleva a cabo junto a colegios de Polonia y Estados Unidos, con los que se intercambian mensajes y cartas en inglés. Los objetivos y contenidos del proyecto se trabajan de forma global y van encaminados a desarrollar la competencia comunicativa en el alumnado en cuatro vertientes: competencia sociocultural, gramática discusiva y estratégica. Se persigue, además, aprender el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación y a integrarlas en su actividad diaria, así como comunicarse en situaciones reales basadas en sus intereses y experiencias más cercanas, reconociendo y apreciando el valor comunicativo de las lenguas extranjeras y la propia capacidad para aprender a utilizarlas, mostrando una actitud de comprensión y respeto hacia otras lenguas, sus hablantes y su cultura. Se contribuye al desarrollo integral del niño (social, psicológico, cognitivo, emocional, estético, físico), y se les ayuda a aprender a aprender, potenciando la responsabilidad, la autonomía y la reflexión. Se promueve una atmósfera de cooperación y colaboración en el aula, así como herramientas para tratar la diversidad de los diferentes estilos de aprendizaje; para ello se elabora, además, el periódico escolar 'El Molinete'.Castilla La ManchaConsejería de Educación, Ciencia y Cultura. Viceconsejería de Educación y Cultura. Servicio de Documentación; Bulevar del Río Alberche, s. n. - 1 Planta; 45071 Toledo; Tel. +34925286045; Fax +34925247410; [email protected]

Cooperación, prevención, mediación y resolución de conflictos en el centro escolar

Se desarrolla un proyecto de innovación educativa que pretende crear un mecanismo innovador en la resolución de conflictos y que sirva para una prevención y detección más temprana de los mismos, atacándolos en sus fases iniciales y evitando su manifestación en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. La implicación de todos los integrantes de la comunidad escolar y especialmente de los propios alumnos y alumnas pretende fomentar los valores de responsabilidad, equidad, tolerancia y convivencia pacífica. Se elabora un dossier que recoge un protocolo de actuación para cada una de las figuras que se pretenden crear con el proyecto para que sirva como guía para su utilización en cursos sucesivos. El proyecto se inicia tras la selección de un grupo de alumnos y alumnas que tras recibir la formación necesaria pasan a ejercer tareas de ayudantes y alumnos mediadores. El grupo inicial del profesorado selecciona a nuevos alumnos y alumnas para impartir la formación, un segundo grupo de profesores y profesoras es el encargado de difundir las acciones de convivencia entre los miembros de la comunidad escolar, un tercer grupo es el encargado de elaborar las unidades didácticas relativas a la convivencia, y el grupo cuarto se encarga de elaborar un dossier sobre las incidencias en materia de convivencia El logro de los objetivos previstos ha sido satisfactorio por lo que como conclusión se establece la demanda existente en la continuidad de actividades relacionadas con la formación en convivencia escolar junto con un plan de mejora para sucesivos cursos.Castilla y LeónConsejería de Educación. Dirección General de Universidades e Investigación; Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Prado, Autovía Puente Colgante s. n.; 47071 Valladolid; +34983411881; +34983411939ES

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study (vol 46, pg 2021, 2022)

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