Juego y arte, manifestaciones multimodales en la educación de las infancias

El proyecto busca caracterizar las estrategias didáctico-pedagógicas que el docente de Nivel Inicial –salas de 4 y 5 años de Jardines de Infantes anexos-, implementa mediante el uso de la “textura lúdica” en la situación de enseñanza. Según el supuesto planteado, las estrategias de uso son: la observación, la exploración y la manipulación de objetos y materiales. Estas se limitan a algunos momentos del proceso de enseñanza y se agregan con un desarrollo rutinario: el juego, la exposición de las producciones realizadas por los niños y la apreciación de las mismas.Este proceso de indagación se abordó desde un enfoque cualitativo. La investigación fue de tipo exploratorio- descriptiva. La observación directa no participante y la entrevista abierta fueron las técnicas empleadas para la recolección de datos. La identificación de los analizadores llevó a la determinación de categorías teóricas que contribuyeron al análisis e interpretación de la realidad en estudio. El objetivo de transferencia consistirá en instancias de reflexión interactiva con directivos y docentes del Nivel. Asimismo, está en proceso de elaboración un documento con sugerencias referidas a estrategias -didáctico- pedagógicas basadas en los Lenguajes expresivos de Música y Plástica- Visual, factibles de ser aplicadas en la situación de enseñanza

Fledgling discrimination in the hoopoe, a potential host species of the great spotted cuckoo

Obligate brood parasites lay their eggs in nests of other species, with host parents bearing the cost of raising their offspring. These costs imposed on hosts select for the evolution of host defenses against parasitism at all stages of the reproductive cycle. The most effective defense is egg rejection at early stages of the breeding cycle, with later-stage defenses (nestling and fledgling discrimination) being less common. In this study, we tested whether the hoopoe (Upupa epops), a potential host of the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) without egg rejection ability, presents defenses after the egg stage. We experimentally parasitized hoopoe nests with great spotted cuckoo nestlings creating mixed broods (with hoopoe and cuckoo nestlings) and broods with only cuckoo nestlings and measured parental feeding behavior and survival of nestlings and fledglings of both species. Cuckoo fledglings were fed fewer often than hoopoe fledglings in mixed broods, and adults approached more often to feed hoopoe fledglings than cuckoo fledglings. Consequently, the survival of cuckoo fledglings in both mixed and only-cuckoo-broods, was significantly lower than that of hoopoe fledglings. These results suggest that hoopoes would discriminate great spotted cuckoo fledglings, with or without direct comparison with their own fledglings. However, the survival of some cuckoos suggests that hoopoes have not reached highly efficient defenses so, other life history traits hindering parasitism by cuckoos may explain low parasitism rates and low levels of defenses in this speciesUniversidad de Granada/ CBUASpanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, European funds (FEDER) (CGL2007-61940/BOS, CGL2010-19233-C03-03)Junta de Andalucía (P09-RNM- 4557, P18-FR-2215)Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Subprogram PTA-MICINN) (Ref. PTA2010-4298-I

E-cadherin and Cytokeratin Subtype Profiling in Effusion Cytology

Diagnostic utility of E-cadherin (E-CD) and cytokeratin (CK) subtype profiling in effusion cytology was investigated, employing immunocytochemistry on cellblock sections available from 211 metastatic carcinomas (MC), 6 mesotheliomas and 73 reactive mesothelial hyperplasias (MH). E-CD and monoclonal carcinoembryonic anti-gen (mCEA) stained 85% (120/141) and 65% (138/211) of MC, respectively. E-CD staining of MC was frequently heterogeneous (76/120) and absent in all anaplastic carcinomas (0/2). E-CD stained none (0/57) of MH while mCEA and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) stained 12% (9/73) and 32% (16/32) of MH, respectively. Of 6 mesotheliomas, E-CD focally stained in 2 while mCEA stained none and EMA stained all. CK20 and CK17 stained none of MH or mesotheliomas. CK20 stained 15% of MC and CK 17 stained 22% of MC. CK5/6 and high molecular weight CK stained all mesotheliomas, 56% and 88% of MH, 26% and 39% of MC, respectively. MC showed predominant CK7+/20- expression, with the exceptions of MC from mucinous type of colon/rectum and ovary showing predominant CK20 positive. E-CD may be a useful positive marker for MC in effusion cytology, although it may focally stain in some mesotheliomas. Any positive staining for CK20 of MC suggests MC from the gastrointestinal tract or ovary among others

The microbiome of the uropygial secretion in hoopoes is shaped along the nesting phase

Microbial symbiont acquisition by hosts may determine the effectiveness of the mutualistic relationships. A mix of vertical and horizontal transmission may be advantageous for hosts by allowing plastic changes of microbial communities depending on environmental conditions. Plasticity is well known for gut microbiota but is poorly understood for other symbionts of wild animals. We here explore the importance of environmental conditions experienced by nestling hoopoes (Upupa epops) during the late nesting phase determining microbiota in their uropygial gland. In cross-fostering experiments of 8 days old nestlings, “sibling-sibling” and “mother-offspring” comparisons were used to explore whether the bacterial community naturally established in the uropygial gland of nestlings could change depending on experimental environmental conditions (i.e., new nest environment). We found that the final microbiome of nestlings was mainly explained by nest of origin. Moreover, cross-fostered nestlings were more similar to their siblings and mothers than to their stepsiblings and stepmothers. We also detected a significant effect of nest of rearing, suggesting that nestling hoopoes acquire most bacterial symbionts during the first days of life but that the microbiome is dynamic and can be modified along the nestling period depending on environmental conditions. Estimated effects of nest of rearing, but also most of those of nest of origin are associated to environmental characteristics of nests, which are extended phenotypes of parents. Thus, natural selection may favor the acquisition of appropriated microbial symbionts for particular environmental conditions found in nests.Support by funding was provided by Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, European funds (FEDER) (CGL2013-48193-C3-1-P, CGL2013-48193-C3-2-P), and Junta de Andalucía (P09-RNM-4557). AM-G had a predoctoral grant from the Junta de Andalucía (P09-RNM-4557).Peer reviewe

Retinoblastoma and mosaic 13q deletion: a case report

Patients with 13q-syndrome are at risk of retinoblastoma when the RB1 gene, located in the chromosomal band 13q14.2, is deleted. This syndrome is frequently associated with congenital malformations and developmental delay, although these signs could be mild. Mosaic 13q-deletion patients have been previously reported in the literature; their phenotype is variable, and they may not be recognized. CASE PRESENTATION: Retinoblastoma diagnosed in a child with 13q-mosaicism confirmed in blood, oral mucosa, healthy retina and retinoblastoma. A second RB1 hit is present exclusively in the retinoblastoma sample (RB1 c.958C>T p.Arg320Ter). Other detected molecular events in retinoblastoma are 6p12.3pter gain and 6q25.3qter loss. Clinical examination is unremarkable except for clinodactyly of the right fifth finger. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We describe a case of mosaic 13q deletion syndrome affected by retinoblastoma. Molecular data obtained from the tumor analysis are similar to previous data available about this malignancy. High clinical suspicion is essential for an adequate diagnosis of mosaic cases

Special structures of hoopoe eggshells enhance the adhesion of symbionts-carrying uropygial secretion to prevent embryo infection

This is the pre-peer-reviewed version of the following article: Martín-Vivaldi, M.; et al. Special structures of hoopoe eggshells enhance the adhesion of symbionts-carrying uropygial secretion to prevent embryo infection. Journal of Animal Ecology, (2014). which has been published in final form at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.12243/abstract1. Animals live in a bacterial world, and detecting and exploring adaptations favouring mutualistic relationships with antibiotic-producing bacteria as a strategy to fight pathogens are of prime importance for evolutionary ecologists. 2. Uropygial secretion of European hoopoes (Upupa epops, Linnaeus) contains antimicrobials from mutualistic bacteria that may be used to prevent embryo infection. Here, we investigated the microscopic structure of hoopoe eggshells looking for special features favouring the adhesion of antimicrobial uropygial secretions. 3. We impeded female access to the uropygial gland and compared microscopic characteristics of eggshells, bacterial loads of eggs and of uropygial secretion, and hatching success of experimental and control females. Then, we explored the link between microbiological characteristics of uropygial secretion and these of eggs of hoopoes, as well as possible fitness benefits. 4. The microscopic study revealed special structures in hoopoes' eggshells (crypts). The experimental prevention of females' gland access demonstrated that crypts are filled with uropygial secretion and that symbiotic enterococci bacteria on the eggshells come, at least partially, from those in the female's uropygial gland. Moreover, the experiment resulted in a higher permeability of eggshells by several groups of bacteria and in elimination of the positive relationships detected for control nests between hatching success and density of symbiotic bacteria, either in the uropygial secretion of females or on the eggshell. 5. The findings of specialized crypts on the eggshells of hoopoes, and of video-recorded females smearing secretion containing symbiotic bacteria at a high density onto the eggshells strongly support a link between secretion and bacteria on eggs. Moreover, the detected associations between bacteria and hatching success suggest that crypts enhancing the adhesion of symbiont-carrying uropygial secretion likely protect embryos against infections.Support by funding was provided by Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, European funds (FEDER) (CGL2009-14006, CGL2010-19233-C03-01 and CGL2010-19233-C03-03) and Junta de Andalucía (P09-RNM-4557)

Seasonal and Sexual Differences in the Microbiota of the Hoopoe Uropygial Secretion

The uropygial gland of hoopoe nestlings and nesting females hosts bacterial symbionts that cause changes in the characteristics of its secretion, including an increase of its antimicrobial activity. These changes occur only in nesting individuals during the breeding season, possibly associated with the high infection risk experienced during the stay in the hole-nests. However, the knowledge on hoopoes uropygial gland microbial community dynamics is quite limited and based so far on culture-dependent and molecular fingerprinting studies. In this work, we sampled wild and captive hoopoes of different sex, age, and reproductive status, and studied their microbiota using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and pyrosequencing. Surprisingly, we found a complex bacterial community in all individuals (including non-nesting ones) during the breeding season. Nevertheless, dark secretions from nesting hoopoes harbored significantly higher bacterial density than white secretions from breeding males and both sexes in winter. We hypothesize that bacterial proliferation may be host-regulated in phases of high infection risk (i.e., nesting). We also highlight the importance of specific antimicrobial-producing bacteria present only in dark secretions that may be key in this defensive symbiosis. Finally, we discuss the possible role of environmental conditions in shaping the uropygial microbiota, based on differences found between wild and captive hoopoes.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European (FEDER) funds (CGL2013-48193-C3-1-P/BOS, CGL2013-48193-C3-2-P/BOS, CGL2017-83103-P), and the Junta de Andalucía (RNM 339, RNM 340). S. M. Rodríguez-Ruano received a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (FPI program)

The Hoopoe's Uropygial Gland Hosts a Bacterial Community Influenced by the Living Conditions of the Bird

Molecular methods have revealed that symbiotic systems involving bacteria are mostly based on whole bacterial communities. Bacterial diversity in hoopoe uropygial gland secretion is known to be mainly composed of certain strains of enterococci, but this conclusion is based solely on culture-dependent techniques. This study, by using culture-independent techniques (based on the 16S rDNA and the ribosomal intergenic spacer region) shows that the bacterial community in the uropygial gland secretion is more complex than previously thought and its composition is affected by the living conditions of the bird. Besides the known enterococci, the uropygial gland hosts other facultative anaerobic species and several obligated anaerobic species (mostly clostridia). The bacterial assemblage of this community was largely invariable among study individuals, although differences were detected between captive and wild female hoopoes, with some strains showing significantly higher prevalence in wild birds. These results alter previous views on the hoopoe-bacteria symbiosis and open a new window to further explore this system, delving into the possible sources of symbiotic bacteria (e.g. nest environments, digestive tract, winter quarters) or the possible functions of different bacterial groups in different contexts of parasitism or predation of their hoopoe host.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (projects CGL2005-06975/BOSFEDER; CGL2007-61251/BOSFEDER), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (projects CGL2009-14006/BOSFEDER; CGL2010-19233-C03-01/BOSFEDER; CGL2010-19233-C03-03/BOSFEDER), the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (projects CGL2013-48193-C3-1-P/BOSFEDER; CGL2013-48193-C3-2-P/BOSFEDER), and the Junta de Andalucía (RNM 345, P09-RNM-4557). SMRR received a grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (FPI program, BES-2011-047677)

Inteligencia artificial para la multi-clasificación de fauna en fotografías automáticas utilizadas en investigación científica

El manejo de ambientes naturales, ya sea para conservación o producción, requiere de una profunda comprensión de la vida silvestre. El número, la ubicación y el comportamiento de los animales salvajes es uno de los principales objetos de estudio en ecología y vida silvestre. El uso de cámaras trampa ofrece la oportunidad de recopilar rápidamente grandes cantidades de fotografías que -sin la presencia humana- registran a la fauna en su hábitat natural, evitando factores que alteren su comportamiento. En Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, se desarrollan investigaciones sobre el uso del bosque por parte de distintos herbívoros (guanacos, vacas, ovejas) para optimizar el manejo y proteger dichos ecosistemas naturales. Si bien las cámaras trampa permiten la obtención de millones de imágenes, la interpretación de tales fotografías representa un problema de escala para el procesamiento manual. Así, gran parte del valioso conocimiento en estos enormes repositorios de datos sigue sin ser aprovechado. Las Redes Neuronales y el Deep Learning son áreas de estudio dentro la Inteligencia Artificial, durante la última década estas dos disciplinas han hecho cuantiosos aportes en el ámbito del reconocimiento de imágenes de gran relevancia a nivel mundial. Los estudios ecológicos y de conservación de la vida silvestre, pueden combinarse con estas nuevas tecnologías para extraer información importante a partir de las fotografías obtenidas por cámaras trampa, con el objeto de aportar a la comprensión de distintos procesos naturales y mejorar el manejo de las áreas silvestres implicadas. Nuestro proyecto busca desarrollar modelos de redes neuronales para clasificar especies de animales en fotografías obtenidas mediante cámaras trampa, para resolver problemas de gran volumen en investigación científica.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

CDH3/P-Cadherin regulates migration of HuCCT1 cholangiocarcinoma cells

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common subtype of primary hepatobilliary cancer. Despite advances in surgical and medical therapy, its survival rate remains poor. Compared to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver malignancy, the underlying mechanisms of cholangiocarcinoma carcinogenesis are poorly characterized. P-cadherin (CDH3) is a cadherin super family member. Although CDH3 is frequently over-expressed in cholangiocarcinoma tissues, its roles have never been characterized. To determine the roles of CDH3 in cholangiocarcinoma, we investigated CDH3 function in HuCCT1 cells using specific siRNA. Transfection with CDH3 siRNA did not affect proliferation of HuCCT1 cells. However, cell migration and invasion were significantly reduced when CDH3 was down-regulated. In addition, expressions of several biomarkers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were not changed by CDH3 down-regulation. These results suggest that CDH3 regulates cell migration independent of EMT in cholangiocarcinoma cells