How to Get Engagement Right in Mental Health Research:Lessons from the Higher Education Sector

This resource pack outlines the benefits of engagement with students and other key stakeholders in the Higher Education sector. It also discusses the challenges, how these might be navigated, and resources and practices that would support engagement. This is based on what we have learned as a network, and will complement and signpost to existing resources. There are lots of different ways to involve non-research stakeholders, and we have provided case examples to showcase all the different things we have done during SMaRteN as well as provide guidance for the sector. This guidance is also aimed at students and other key stakeholders who are interested in getting involved in research

Educação e escola na Espanha em tempos de pandemia

The work we offer aims to problematize the new education that emerged because of the health crisis. The methodology focuses on taking advantage of the sources of information available in the documentary archives of public organizations (reports and statistics) and of the bibliographic documentation (academic). The results of the analysis lead us to a trilogy of interpretation: the socio-educational perspective of the crisis, the differential involvement and response in relation to public/private education and the new interpretation of social participation in education. Finally, the impact of the pandemic on education and a call to attention to the use and/or abuse of online education.El trabajo que ofrecemos pretende problematizar la nueva educación surgida a raíz de la crisis sanitaria. La metodología se centra en el aprovechamiento de las fuentes de información disponibles en los archivos documentales de los organismos públicos (informes y estadísticas) y de la documentación bibliográfica (académica). Los resultados del análisis nos conducen a un triángulo de interpretación: la perspectiva socioeducativa de la crisis, la implicación y respuesta diferencial en relación con la educación pública/privada y la nueva interpretación de la participación social en la educación. Finalmente, se aborda el impacto de la pandemia en la educación y se realiza una llamada de atención al uso y/o abuso de la educación online.O trabalho que oferecemos visa problematizar a nova formação que emergiu a partir da crise da saúde. A metodologia centra-se no aproveitamento das fontes de informação disponíveis nos arquivos documentais de organismos públicos (relatórios e estatísticas) e da documentação bibliográfica (académica). Os resultados da análise nos levam a uma trilogia de interpretação: a perspectiva socioeducativa da crise, o envolvimento e a resposta diferenciada em relação à educação público/privada e a nova interpretação da participação social na educação. Finalmente, o impacto da pandemia na educação e um chamado à atenção para o uso e/ou abuso da educação online

Infrared and ultraviolet laser removal of crustose lichens on dolomite heritage stone

8 páginas y 8 figurasLaser removal of biodeteriogen layers warrants detailed studies due to the advantages it brings withrespect to mechanical elimination or the use of biocides. We have investigated elimination of biologicalcrusts on dolomite stones from heritage sites in central Spain. The samples were colonized by epilithiccrustose lichens of different species, such as Caloplaca sp. and Verrucaria nigrescens. A comparative studywas carried out by applying infrared (1064 nm) and ultraviolet (355 nm) nanosecond laser pulses andsequences pulses of the two wavelengths using a Q-switched Nd:YAG system. To detect anatomical andultrastructural damage to the lichens, and to assess possible morphological and chemical changes on theunderlying stone induced by laser irradiation, we used stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopywith backscattered electron imaging and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. The optimal conditionsfor removal of the colonization crust, while ensuring preservation of the lithic substrate, were obtainedfor dual infrared-ultraviolet sequential irradiation.Work funded by Program Geomateriales 2 (S2013/MIT-2914)financed by Comunidad de Madrid and Structural Funds (FSE andFEDER) S2013/MIT-2914. M.O acknowledges contract by CSIC. Weare grateful to M. Furio, A. Jorge and L. Tormo from Servicio de Micro-scopia, MNCN-CSIC and to support by Red de Ciencia y Tecnología para la Conservación del Patrimonio Cultural (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain, Acción Complementaria HAR2010-11432-E).Peer reviewe

Novel indolic AMPK modulators induce vasodilatation through activation of the AMPK-eNOS-NO pathway

Endothelial adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone through stimulating nitric oxide (NO) release in endothelial cells. Since obesity leads to endothelial dysfunction and AMPK dysregulation, AMPK activation might be an important strategy to restore vascular function in cardiometabolic alterations. Here, we report the identification of a novel AMPK modulator, the indolic derivative IND6, which shows affinity for AMPKα1β1γ1, the primary AMPK isoform in human EA.Hy926 endothelial cells. IND6 shows inhibitory action of the enzymatic activity in vitro, but increases the levels of p-Thr174AMPK, p-Ser1177eNOS and p-Ser79ACC in EA.Hy926. This paradoxical finding might be explained by the ability of IND6 to act as a mixed-type inhibitor, but also to promote the enzyme activation by adopting two distinct binding modes at the ADaM site. Moreover, functional assays reveal that IND6 increased the eNOS-dependent production of NO and elicited a concentration-dependent vasodilation of endothelium-intact rat aorta due to AMPK and eNOS activation, demonstrating a functional activation of the AMPK-eNOS-NO endothelial pathway. This kinase inhibition profile, combined with the paradoxical AMPK activation in cells and arteries, suggests that these new chemical entities may constitute a valuable starting point for the development of new AMPK modulators with therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular complications associated with obesity

Mycobacteria clumping increase their capacity to damage macrophages

The rough morphotypes of non-tuberculous mycobacteria have been associated with the most severe illnesses in humans. This idea is consistent with the fact that Mycobacterium tuberculosis presents a stable rough morphotype. Unlike smooth morphotypes, the bacilli of rough morphotypes grow close together, leaving no spaces among them and forming large aggregates (clumps). Currently, the initial interaction of macrophages with clumps remains unclear. Thus, we infected J774 macrophages with bacterial suspensions of rough morphotypes of M. abscessus containing clumps and suspensions of smooth morphotypes, primarily containing isolated bacilli. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy, we observed clumps of at least five rough-morphotype bacilli inside the phagocytic vesicles of macrophages at 3 h post-infection. These clumps grew within the phagocytic vesicles, killing 100% of the macrophages at 72 h post-infection, whereas the proliferation of macrophages infected with smooth morphotypes remained unaltered at 96 h post-infection. Thus, macrophages phagocytose large clumps, exceeding the bactericidal capacities of these cells. Furthermore, proinflammatory cytokines and granuloma-like structures were only produced by macrophages infected with rough morphotypes. Thus, the present study provides a foundation for further studies that consider mycobacterial clumps as virulence factors

Key Questions: Research Priorities for Student Mental Health

Background The high prevalence of mental distress among university students is gaining academic, policy and public attention. As the volume of research into student mental health increases, it is important to involve students to ensure that the evidence produced can translate into meaningful improvements. Aims For the first time, we consult UK students about their research priorities on student mental health. Method This priority setting exercise involved current UK university students who were asked to submit three research questions relating to student mental health. Responses were aggregated into themes through content analysis and considered in the context of existing research. Students were involved throughout the project, including inception, design, recruitment, analysis and dissemination. Results UK university students (N = 385) submitted 991 questions, categorised into seven themes: epidemiology, causes and risk factors, academic factors and work–life balance, sense of belonging, intervention and services, mental health literacy and consequences. Across themes, respondents highlighted the importance of understanding the experience of minority groups. Conclusions Students are interested in understanding the causes and consequences of poor mental health at university, across academic and social domains. They would like to improve staff and students’ knowledge about mental health, and have access to evidence-based support. Future research should take a broad lens to evaluate interventions; considering how services are designed and delivered, and investigating institutional and behavioural barriers to accessibility, including how this varies across different groups within the student population

Active conservation of ceramic building materials: removal of lichens on roof tiles by laser and biocides treatments

Esta comunicación participó en el: 5th International Conference YOuth in COnservation of CUltural Heritage YOCOCU 2016 21st-23rd September 2016 MadridVery recently, in monumental cities, certain conservational practices tend to use ancient/traditional roof tiles in the restoration of Heritage buildings. Numerous studies have been undertaken to remove lichens on stones. However, little has been done to date to study lichens removal from ceramic materials, despite the fact that they are commonly colonized by different lichen communities. The main goal of this contribution is making a diagnosis of alterations that lichens may cause in ceramic materials, as well as to determine the possibilities of removal by treatments based on laser irradiation and use of biocides.Geomateriales 2 (Ref. S2013/MIT-2914, Regional Government of Madrid and EU structural funds) and IPERION-CH (Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure on Cultural Heritage (Ref. H2020-INFRAIA-2014-2015 nº 654028).Peer Reviewe

Qüestionaris d'autoavaluació de coneixements: Participació dels estudiants, incidència en el rendiment acadèmic i valoració.

Projecte: 2014PID-UB/042Durant el curs 2015-2016, en assignatures de Psicologia del Desenvolupament, es va oferir als estudiants la possibilitat de respondre, a través de Moodle, qüestionaris d’autoavaluació amb feedback sobre els continguts d’aprenentatge. Es van organitzar per temes i eren actius durant el període en que es treballava el corresponent tema a l’aula. Es presenta l’anàlisi del seguiment de la proposta per part dels estudiants, de la incidència en el rendiment acadèmic i de la valoració de l’experiència

Informe final del projecte “Qüestionaris d’autoavaluació de coneixements: incidència en el rendiment acadèmic; seguiment i valoració per part dels estudiants"

2014PID-UB/042L’experiència s’ha realitzat durant els cursos 2014-2015 i 2015-2016, en quatre assignatures de l’àmbit de la Psicologia del Desenvolupament, en els graus de Psicologia i d’Educació Social. Ha consistit en posar a disposició dels estudiants, a través de Moodle, qüestionaris d’autoavaluació amb feedback sobre els continguts d‘aprenentatge, amb els següents objectius: a) donar suport als estudiants durant l’aprenentatge; b) promoure l’estudi continuat al llarg del curs i c) millorar el rendiment en les proves d’avaluació tipus test. Els qüestionaris inclouen preguntes d’alternativa múltiple amb una única opció de resposta vàlida. Cada resposta rep un feedback que, en cas d’error, orienta la reflexió o la revisió de determinats conceptes o idees. S’ha dut a terme l’anàlisi de la participació, les puntuacions obtingudes, la valoració de l’experiència per part dels estudiants i la incidència del projecte sobre les qualificacions en les proves finals d’avaluació. Els estudiants han valorat molt positivament l’experiència, la participació ha estat moderada i les qualificacions obtingudes en les proves finals han estat significativament més altes per part dels estudiants que han respost qüestionaris. No obstant, per comparació amb cursos anteriors, no s’ha produït una millora significativa en els resultats globals dels grups-classe en les proves finals

Beneficial Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Abnormal MMP-9 and AMPK Activities: Potential Markers of Obesity-Related CV Risk

Bariatric surgery (BS) results in sustained weight loss and may reverse inflammation, metabolic alterations, extracellular matrix remodeling and arterial stiffness. We hypothesize that increased stiffening in omental arteries from obese patients might be associated with an increase in MMP activity and a decrease in p-AMPK, together with systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, BS could contribute to reversing these alterations. This study was conducted with 38 patients of Caucasian origin: 31 adult patients with morbid obesity (9 men and 22 women; mean age 46 years and BMI = 42.7 ± 1.0 kg/m2) and 7 non-obese subjects (7 women; mean age 45 years and BMI = 22.7 ± 0.6 kg/m2). Seventeen obese patients were studied before and 12 months after BS. The stiffness index β, an index of intrinsic arterial stiffness, was determined in omental arteries and was significantly higher in obese patients. Levels of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPKThr-172) and SIRT-1 were significantly lower in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from obese patients than those from non-obese patients (p < 0.05) and were normalized after BS. Total and active MMP-9 activities, LDH, protein carbonyls and uric acid were higher in obese patients and reduced by BS. Moreover, there was a correlation between plasmatic LDH levels and the stiffness index β. BS has a beneficial effect on abnormal MMP-9, LDH and AMPK activities that might be associated with the development of arterial stiffness in obese patients. Since these parameters are easily measured in blood samples, they could constitute potential biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in morbid obesity