Apoyo mediacional en contextos comunicativos. Una intervención con personas con discapacidad intelectual para trabajar la autodeterminación.

La promoción de la autonomía e independencia es todavía uno de los retos másimportantes para las personas con discapacidad intelectual. Resulta de gran importanciacapacitar a estas personas para que puedan llevar una vida lo más autónoma posible.Para avanzar en la calidad educativa, es preciso una educación basada en la inclusión,por ello, se han diseñado proyectos innovadores en escenarios inclusivos. En el presentetrabajo se ha llevado a cabo una intervención psicoeducativa con cinco personas conDI/SD con el principal objetivo del desarrollo y promoción de la autodeterminación através del apoyo mediacional en contextos comunicativos formales e informales,buscando con ello la mejora del lenguaje y la comunicación así como el fomento deproyectos de innovación en contextos de aprendizaje inclusivos. Se puede destacar laimportancia de conocer las necesidades de apoyo de cada usuario así como serconscientes de sus fortalezas y limitaciones, ofrecer motivación y oportunidades para eldesarrollo en contextos inclusivos, siendo siempre posible la promoción de la vidaindependiente y la autodeterminación, a pesar de las necesidades presentadas.<br /

Aptamer-capped nanoporous anodic alumina for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2019, has highlighted the importance of testing and tracking infected individuals as a means of mitigating the spread of the virus. In this context, the development of sensitive and rapid methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is crucial. Herein, a biosensor based on oligonucleotide-gated nanomaterials for the specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is presented. The sensing system consists of a nanoporous anodic alumina disk loaded with the fluorescent indicator rhodamine B and capped with a DNA aptamer that selectively binds the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The system is initially evaluated using pseudotype virus systems based on vesicular stomatitis virus carrying different SARS-CoV-2 S-proteins on their surface. When the pseudotype virus is present, the cap of the solid is selectively removed, triggering the release of the dye from the pore voids to the medium. The nanodevice demonstrated its ability to detect pseudotype virus concentrations as low as 7.5·103 PFU mL. In addition, the nanodevice is tested on nasopharyngeal samples from individuals suspected of having COVID-19.This study was supported by the Spanish Government (projects PID2021-126304OB-C41, and PID2021-122875OB-100 (MCUI/AEI/FEDER, UE)), the Generalitat Valenciana (project no.2 RD 180/2020, CIPROM/2021/007), Supera COVID-19 Fund (DIACOVID project), the Universitat Politècnica de València−Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS-LaFe) (SARS-COV-2-SEEKER and VISION-COV projects), and by the European Commission –NextGenerationEU, through CSIC's Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global) to Ron Geller. The project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union's Horizon EUROPE research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101093042. Isabel Caballos thanks the Instituto de Salud Carlos III for her predoctoral fellowship (IFI21/00008). Alba López-Palacios thanks the Ministerio de Universidades for her predoctoral grant (FPU20/05297). Ron Geller holds a Ramon y Cajal fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (RYC-2015-17517).Peer reviewe

<i>Candida</i> spp. in Cetaceans: Neglected Emerging Challenges in Marine Ecosystems

Cetaceans, which are crucial in marine ecosystems, act as sentinels for ecosystem and human–environmental health. However, emerging fungal infections, particularly by Candida spp., pose a growing concern in these marine mammals. This review consolidates current knowledge on the prevalence, clinical manifestations, species distribution, and antifungal resistance of Candida infections in cetaceans. We detail the diverse pathogenic impacts of Candida, including respiratory, dermal, and systemic afflictions, underscoring diagnostic and treatment challenges amid rising antifungal resistance. Our analysis extends beyond health concerns in captive cetaceans, where confinement stress heightens vulnerability, to encompass substantial ecological risks in wild populations. The review emphasizes the One Health perspective, linking cetacean health with broader environmental and human public health issues. We particularly focus on the potential zoonotic transmission of emerging fungal pathogens such as Candida auris and the role of environmental changes in fostering antifungal resistance. The study underscores the need for concerted, interdisciplinary efforts in veterinary, medical, and environmental sciences to enhance understanding and management of Candida infections in cetaceans. We advocate for comprehensive monitoring and collaborative research initiatives to mitigate the rising challenge of these infections. Addressing Candida spp. in cetaceans is not just a conservation priority but a critical step in safeguarding overall marine health and, by extension, human health in the context of evolving infectious diseases

The Ecology of Non-<i>Candida</i> Yeasts and Dimorphic Fungi in Cetaceans: From Pathogenicity to Environmental and Global Health Implications

Cetaceans, which are integral to marine ecosystems, face escalating anthropogenic threats, including climate change and pollution, positioning them as critical sentinel species for ocean and human health. This review explores the neglected realm of non-Candida yeasts in cetaceans, addressing the gaps in the understanding of their prevalence, pathogenicity, and environmental impacts. By examining identified species such as Cryptococcus spp., Paracoccidioides spp., and several dimorphic fungi, this review emphasizes global prevalence, epidemiology and ecology, pathogenicity, and potential zoonotic implications. It also discusses the fine line between yeast commensalism and pathogenicity by considering environmental influences such as pollution, climate shifts, and immune suppression. Environmental impact discussions delve into how rising ocean temperatures and pollution can modify yeast mycobiota, potentially affecting marine host health and broader ecosystem dynamics. The cetacean’s unique physiology and ecological niches are considered, highlighting potential impacts on behaviors, reproductive success, and survival rates. Identifying crucial knowledge gaps, the review calls for intensified research efforts, employing advanced molecular techniques to unravel the cetacean mycobiome. Systematic studies on yeast diversity, antifungal susceptibility, and their influence on environmental and ecosystem health are proposed, and the balance between commensal and pathogenic species emphasizes the significance of the One Health approach. In conclusion, as marine mammals face unprecedented challenges, unveiling non-Candida yeasts in cetaceans emerges as a critical endeavor with far-reaching implications for the conservation of marine ecosystems and for both animal and human public health

Aptamer-Capped Nanoporous Anodic Alumina for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Detection

[EN] The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2019, has highlighted the importance of testing and tracking infected individuals as a means of mitigating the spread of the virus. In this context, the development of sensitive and rapid methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is crucial. Here, a biosensor based on oligonucleotide-gated nanomaterials for the specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is presented. The sensing system consists of a nanoporous anodic alumina disk loaded with the fluorescent indicator rhodamine B and capped with a DNA aptamer that selectively binds the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The system is initially evaluated using pseudotype virus systems based on vesicular stomatitis virus carrying different SARS-CoV-2 S-proteins on their surface. When the pseudotype virus is present, the cap of the solid is selectively removed, triggering the release of the dye from the pore voids to the medium. The nanodevice demonstrated its ability to detect pseudotype virus concentrations as low as 7.5 center dot 10(3) PFU mL. In addition, the nanodevice is tested on nasopharyngeal samples from individuals suspected of having COVID-19.This study was supported by the Spanish Government (projects PID2021-126304OB-C41, and PID2021-122875OB-100 (MCUI/AEI/FEDER, UE)), the Generalitat Valenciana (project no.2 RD 180/2020, CIPROM/2021/007), Supera COVID-19 Fund (DIACOVID project), the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia-Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria La Fe (IIS-LaFe) (SARS-COV-2-SEEKER and VISION-COV projects), and by the European Commission -NextGenerationEU, through CSIC's Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global) to Ron Geller. The project leading to this application has received funding from the European Union's Horizon EUROPE research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101093042. Isabel Caballos thanks the Instituto de Salud Carlos III for her predoctoral fellowship (IFI21/00008). Alba Lopez-Palacios thanks the Ministerio de Universidades for her predoctoral grant (FPU20/05297). Ron Geller holds a Ramon y Cajal fellowship from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (RYC-2015-17517). Figure 1 done with BioRender.com. The use of samples from human subjects was approved by the Medicaments Research Ethics Commmittee, CEIm of Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe (no. 2021-012-1). Informed written consent was obtained from all participants or next of kin prior to the research.Caballos-Gómez, MI.; Aranda, MN.; López-Palacios, A.; Pla, L.; Santiago Felipe, S.; Hernández-Montoto, A.; Tormo-Mas, MÁ.... (2023). Aptamer-Capped Nanoporous Anodic Alumina for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Detection. Advanced Materials Technologies. 8(11):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.20220191311081