A Milestone-Driven Approach for Lab Assignments Evaluation in Information Security

In this paper we describe a methodology for designing and evaluating lab assignments based on the fulfilment of milestones. The approach relies on the integration of ICTs with an automatic, milestone-based evaluation. The final goal of this methodology is to diminish educators’ workload on lab assignments, so they can focus on the development of the assigned tasks, and to enhance students’ experience by providing direct and real-time feedback on their progress. This approach encourages autonomous learning on the students and optimizes the time invested by the educators during the lab assignments. In order to validate our proposal we have applied this methodology in several courses related to Information Security. The results of this experience show that the methodology improves students’ performance, while facilitating the work of the educator.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Treatment with Dental Implants with Acid Etched Surface

Implant dentistry constitutes a therapeutic modality in the prosthodontic treatment of partially and totally edentulous patients. This study reports a long-term evaluation of treatment by the early loading of acid-etched surface implants. Forty-eight partially and totally edentulous patients were treated with 169 TSA Defcon® acid-etched surface implants for prosthodontic rehabilitation. Implants were loaded after a healing free-loading period of 6–8 weeks in mandible and maxilla, respectively. Implant and prosthodontic clinical findings were followed during at least 17 years. Clinical results indicate a survival and success rate of implants of 92.9%, demonstrating that acid-etched surface achieves and maintains successful osseointegration. Five implants in three patients were lost during the healing period. Sixty-five prostheses were placed in 45 patients over the remaining 164 implants, 30 single crowns, 21 partially fixed bridges, 9 overdentures, and 5 full-arch fixed rehabilitations. A total of 12 implants were lost during the follow-up period. Mean marginal bone loss was 1.91 ± 1.24 mm, ranging from 1.1 to 3.6 mm. The most frequent complication was prosthetic technical complications (14.2%), followed by peri-implantitis (10.6%). The mean follow-up was of 214.4 months (208–228 months). Prosthodontic rehabilitation with an early-loading protocol over acid-etched surface implants is a successful implant treatmen

In Cellulo Bioorthogonal Catalysis by Encapsulated AuPd Nanoalloys. Overcoming Intracellular Deactivation

Bioorthogonal metallocatalysis has opened up a xenobiotic route to perform nonenzymatic catalytic transformations in living settings. Despite their promising features, most metals are deactivated inside cells by a myriad of reactive biomolecules, including biogenic thiols, thereby limiting the catalytic functioning of these abiotic reagents. Here we report the development of cytocompatible alloyed AuPd nanoparticles with the capacity to elicit bioorthogonal depropargylations with high efficiency in biological media. We also show that the intracellular catalytic performance of these nanoalloys is significantly enhanced by protecting them following two different encapsulation methods. Encapsulation in mesoporous silica nanorods resulted in augmented catalyst reactivity, whereas the use of a biodegradable PLGA matrix increased nanoalloy delivery across the cell membrane. The functional potential of encapsulated AuPd was demonstrated by releasing the potent chemotherapy drug paclitaxel inside cancer cells. Nanoalloy encapsulation provides a novel methodology to develop nanoreactors capable of mediating new-to-life reactions in cell

TWEAK promotes peritoneal inflammation

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is complicated by peritonitis episodes that cause loss of mesothelium and eventually sclerosing peritonitis. An improved understanding of the molecular contributors to peritoneal injury and defense may increase the therapeutic armamentarium to optimize peritoneal defenses while minimizing peritoneal injury. There is no information on the expression and function of the cytokine TWEAK and its receptor Fn14 during peritoneal injury. Fn14 expression and soluble TWEAK levels were measured in human PD peritoneal effluent cells or fluids with or without peritonitis. Fn14 expression was also analyzed in peritoneal biopsies from PD patients. Actions of intraperitoneal TWEAK were studied in mice in vivo. sTWEAK levels were increased in peritoneal effluent in PD peritonitis. Effluent sTWEAK levels correlated with the number of peritoneal macrophages (r = 0.491, p = 0.002). Potential TWEAK targets that express the receptor Fn14 include mesothelial cells and macrophages, as demonstrated by flow cytometry of peritoneal effluents and by analysis of peritoneal biopsies. Peritoneal biopsy Fn14 correlated with mesothelial injury, fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting a potential deleterious effect of TWEAK/Fn14. In this regard, intraperitoneal TWEAK administration to mice promoted peritoneal inflammation characterized by increased peritoneal effluent MCP-1, Fn14 and Gr1+ macrophages, increased mesothelial Fn14, MCP-1 and CCL21 expression and submesothelial tissue macrophage recruitment. Taken together these data suggest that the TWEAK/Fn14 system may promote inflammation and tissue injury during peritonitis and PD.This work was supported by FIS PS09/00447, PI08/1564, PI10/00234, MS12/03262, FEDER funds ISCIII-RETIC REDinREN/RD06/0016, RD12/0021, Comunidad de Madrid (Fibroteam S2010/BMD-2321, S2010/BMD-2378). Programa Intensificación Actividad Investigadora (ISCIII/Agencia Laı´n-Entralgo/CM) to AO, Programa Estabilizacio´n Investigadores to LB-C, Miguel Servet to ABS, Sara Borrell to BS, MDSN. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Body Composition Changes in Hemodialysis Patients: Implications for Prognosis

Background: Overhydration, inflammation and protein-energy wasting have been related to all-cause mortality in dialysis patients, being lean mass loss, a poor prognostic factor. Objective: to monitor body composition changes (BCC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to relate BCC to mortality. Methods: Prospective follow up study: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and nutritional parameters were performed every 6 months during three years. Results : Overall data show a significant loss of weight at 12m, 24m, and 36m, with decrease of lean tissue index and phase angle (PA) in each period measured. Fat tissue index (FTI) diminished in the third year’s measurements. End of first year, 41 % of patients gain weight, them at baseline had lower age, higher serum albumin, lower Extracelular/intracellular water index (ECW/ICW) and higher PA, showing a significant FTI increase. Higher baseline PA was gain weight predictor by binary logistic regression. Cox regression analyses: Age, diabetes, HD technique, albumin, ECW/ICW, and PA were mortality predictors in univariate analysis; being PA the main mortality predictor in multivariate analysis. BCC were not associated with mortality. ROC curve: PA higher than 4.85° is protective for mortality. Conclusions: Lean mass loss was the most important change during follow up; we have not observed association between BCC with mortality. PA was the main mortality predictor.S

Cambios en el estilo de vida y nutrición durante el confinamiento por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) en México: un estudio observacional

Introduction: To evaluate the changes implemented in lifestyle and nutrition in the mexican population during the lockdown due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).Material and methods: Transversal study performed during the lockdown in Mexico. Data was obtained through a digital questionnaire, which was spread through social media. The questionnaire evaluated aspects related to: nutrition, well-being and lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity and sleep problems) as well as demographic variables. For the statistical analyses, the chi-square test was used to compare differences between genders, with a statistical significance of 5%, using SPSS 23.0 software.Results: A total of 1084 surveys were analyzed. The average age was 35.5±13.9 years and 66.5% (n=721) were women. In relation to eating before lockdown, 69.8% (n=757) considered their diet healthy, 6.5% (n=99) very healthy and 23.7% (n=228) unhealthy, and 2.3% (n=26) have improved their diet, despite this 17.1% (n=186) of people say they eat all the time these days. In relation to sleep, women sleep less during the period of lockdown (p=0.002) and wake up more during the night when compared to men (p<0.001).Conclusions: Factors like nutrition and sleep have alteration in that time of the lockdown. It is important to mention the relevance of these factors because the good nutrition and rest contribute for a better/ strengthening immunological system.Introducción: Evaluar el consumo de alimentos no saludables y prácticas de estilo de vida en mexicanos durante el confinamiento por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).Material y métodos: Estudio transversal realizado durante parte del confinamiento en México. La recolección de datos fue realizada a través de una encuesta digital. Fueron evaluados aspectos de alimentación, bienestar y estilo de vida (consumo de alcohol y tabaco, actividad física y sueño), además de variables sociodemográficas. Para los análisis estadísticos fueron utilizadas la prueba χ2 para comparar diferencias entre género, con significancia estadística del 5%, utilizando el software SPSS 23.0.Resultados: Fueron analizadas 1084 encuestas. La edad promedio fue de 35,5±13,9 años y el 66,5% (n=721) fueron mujeres. En relación a la alimentación antes del confinamiento, 69,8% (n=757) consideraban su alimentación saludable, 6,5% (n=99) muy saludable y 23,7% (n=228) poco saludable, y el 2,3% (n=26) ha mejorado su alimentación, a pesar de esto el 17,1% (n=186) de las personas dice que en estos días come todo el tiempo. En relación al sueño, las mujeres duermen menos durante el periodo del confinamiento (p=0,002) y despiertan más durante la noche cuando se compara con los hombres (p<0,001).Conclusiones: Factores como la alimentación y el sueño presentaron alteraciones en ese período del confinamiento. Es importante destacar la relevancia de esos factores pues una buena alimentación y el descanso contribuyen para un mejor/fortalecimiento del sistema inmunológico

The U.S.-Mexico Border Infectious Disease Surveillance Project: Establishing Binational Border Surveillance

In 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mexican Secretariat of Health, and border health officials began the development of the Border Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) project, a surveillance system for infectious diseases along the U.S.-Mexico border. During a 3-year period, a binational team implemented an active, sentinel surveillance system for hepatitis and febrile exanthems at 13 clinical sites. The network developed surveillance protocols, trained nine surveillance coordinators, established serologic testing at four Mexican border laboratories, and created agreements for data sharing and notification of selected diseases and outbreaks. BIDS facilitated investigations of dengue fever in Texas-Tamaulipas and measles in California–Baja California. BIDS demonstrates that a binational effort with local, state, and federal participation can create a regional surveillance system that crosses an international border. Reducing administrative, infrastructure, and political barriers to cross-border public health collaboration will enhance the effectiveness of disease prevention projects such as BIDS

Frequency and Clinicopathological Profile Associated with Braf Mutations in Patients with Advanced Melanoma in Spain

Real-world data on BRAF mutation frequency in advanced melanoma are lacking in Spain. Moreover, data available on clinicopathological profile of patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma are currently limited. This study aimed to assess the frequency of BRAF V600 mutations in Spanish patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma and to identify clinical and histopathological features associated with BRAF-mutated tumors. A multicenter, cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 33 Spanish hospitals in adult patients with stage IIIc/IV melanoma. A total of 264 patients were included. The median age was 68 years and 57% were male. Melanoma mainly involved skin with intermittent (40.4%) and low or no sun exposure (43.5%). Most patients (85.6%) had stage IV disease (M1a: 19.3%; M1b: 13.3%; M1c: 22.7%). Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels were elevated in 20% of patients. Superficial spreading melanoma was the most frequent histological type (29.9%). Samples were predominantly obtained from metastases (62.7%), mostly from skin and soft tissues (80%). BRAF mutation analysis was primarily performed using the Cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test (92.8%) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (95.8%). BRAF mutations were detected in 41.3% of samples. Multivariate analysis identified age (odd ratio [OR] 0.975) and stage IV M1a (OR 2.716) as independent factors associated with BRAF mutation. The frequency of BRAF mutations in tumor samples from patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma in Spain was 41.3%. BRAF mutations seem to be more frequent in younger patients and stage M1a patients. This study provides the basis for further investigation regarding BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma in larger cohorts.This study was sponsored by Roche Farma S.A