Los pastizales de la clase Lygeo-Stipetea en la sierra de Lújar (Granada)

Se realiza un estudio de las comunidades de gramineas vivaces de la Sierra de Lújar (Granada), constantando la presencia en ésta zona de cinco asociaciones incluibles en la Clase Lygeo-Stipetea.Results of a study on the perennial grass comunities in the Sierra de Lújar (Granada) are given. The presense of five associations which can be includeb in the Classe Lygeo-Stipetea is confirmed

Actualistic taphonomy of burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) pellet-derived small mammal bone and tooth accumulations: a discussion about the arid lowlands of Central Western Argentina

En el presente estudio se amplía y discute la evidencia tafonómica sobre acumulaciones óseas y dentarias de micromamíferos generadas por la depredación de la lechucita de las vizcacheras (Athene cunicularia), un potencial agente acumulador de restos de microvertebrados en sitios arqueológicos y paleontológicos sudamericanos a cielo abierto. Se realiza un análisis tafonómico de dos conjuntos de egagrópilas recuperados en el desierto de Monte, en el Centro Occidente Argentino. La evaluación tafonómica consideró tres variables: abundancia relativa de elementos esqueléticos, patrones de fractura, y digestión. Roedores y marsupiales son los micromamíferos que componen la dieta de A. cunicularia en Telteca. Entre los resultados tafonómicos se destacan: alrededor del 50% de incisivos y elementos postcraneales digeridos (principalmente digestión ligera); elevada proporción de mandíbulas y elementos postcraneales completos; buena preservación/representación de elementos esqueléticos; mejor representación de elementos distales que proximales. Los resultados tafonómicos permiten clasificar a A. cunicularia como un depredador entre las categorías 2-3 (modificador intermedio-moderado), ampliando la variabilidad de la información tafonómica para este depredador. Adicionalmente, se realizó un análisis de la estructura taxonómica para explorar las implicaciones ecológicas de dichos conjuntos. El cricétido Graomys griseoflavus fue la principal presa detectada en la dieta de A. cunicularia. Salinomys delicatus, un roedor cricétido amenazado y poco conocido, fue detectado en baja proporción.In the present study, the taphonomic evidence on modern burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) pelletderived small mammal accumulations is expanded and discussed. This bird of prey is a potential accumulating agent of microvertebrate remains in South American open-air archaeological and palaeontological sites. A taphonomic analysis was carried out on small mammal bones recovered from modern pellets generated by A. cunicularia from the Monte Desert in central western Argentina. The analysis evaluated the relative abundance of skeletal elements, breakage patterns, and digestion. Rodents and marsupials made up the diet of A. cunicularia. The most interesting taphonomic results include: around 50% of incisors and postcranial elements showed traces of digestion (mainly light); high incidence of complete mandibles and postcranial elements; good preservation/representation of skeletal elements; and better representation of distal than proximal elements. Taphonomic results located A. cunicularia between predator modification categories 2-3 (intermediate-moderate modifier), adding variability to the taphonomic information previously reported for this raptor. The cricetid rodent Graomys griseoflavus played the most important role in the diet of the burrowing owls. Salinomys delicatus, a little known and endangered cricetid rodent species was detected in low proportion.Fil: López, José Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología y Etnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras; ArgentinaFil: Mignino, Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Pereyra Lobos, Roberto. No especifíca

Mentoría entre iguales: alumnos que comparten experiencias y aprendizaje

Uno de los problemas con los que se encuentran la mayoría de los alumnos universitarios de primer año es la adaptación a un medio diferente: nuevos compañeros, nuevos profesores, nuevos métodos de aprendizaje, y en muchos casos una independencia de su familia que no siempre saben gestionar. Si a esto le añadimos la complejidad intrínseca de algunas asignaturas que necesitan de una nueva forma de organizar el pensamiento, el coctel puede resultar mortal para los resultados académicos. En esta ponencia se expondrá la experiencia al implantar un programa de mentoría en el Grado en Ingeniería Informática, los logros y defectos, los problemas y principales resultados

Emotional Intelligence and Communication: body awareness as a resource

[ES] Los cambios producidos en los procesos de enseñanza–aprendizaje requieren de los docentesformación competencial que motive a los alumnos para que sean capaces de desarrollarse comopersonas yrealizar aprendizajes significativos a lo largo de toda su vida. En línea con este objetivo esnecesaria una formación específica del profesorado que promueva el desarrollo de las competencias detipo emocional. En el contexto educativo, una de las clavesdel éxito (la consecución de un proceso deenseñanza–aprendizaje efectivo y de calidad) se encuentra en el modo en el cual se establecen lasdinámicas interpersonales. Un buen docente es aquel que no sólo “sabe”, sino que “es”. La presenciadel docente enel aula, su cercanía al alumno, su capacidad para gestionar sus emociones, paracomunicarse de modo eficaz y empatizar con él,son todos ellos aspectos que inciden sin lugar a dudasen el clima de trabajo, en el grado de motivación del alumno, en los resultados de aprendizaje, y claroestá,en su desarrollo personal. Cuando hablamos de aspectos comunicativos, aquellos de tipo no verbalcobran una gran importancia. Los docentes apenas reciben formación de tipo experiencial sobreaspectos relacionados con lapresencia del cuerpo y su expresión. El conocimiento enactivo a través deun programa de concienciación corporal y comunicación no –verbal posibilita el desarrollo decompetencias intra e interpersonales. Se presentan en este trabajo los resultados preliminares de unprograma de formación realizado en este ámbito con profesores universitarios de distintas áreas de conocimiento.[EN] Nowadays, the changes in the teaching-learning processes need competence trained teachers so as tomotivate students in their personal growth leading to significant life-long learning. In order to achieve this objective, specific teacher training that recognizes the importance of developing emotionalcompetences becomes necessary.In an educational context, one of the keys to success (securing aneffective quality teaching-learning process) is found on the way interpersonaldynamics are established.A proficient teacher is the one that not only has a good competence in declarative knowledge but also inskills or know how to and existential knowledge (savoir-être)..The presence of the teacher in theclassroom, his proximity to the student, his ability to manageemotions, to communicate effectively andto feel empathy, are all aspects that undoubtedly affect the work atmosphere at the level of studentmotivation towards improving learning outcomes, and ultimately, in his personal development.Whenwe talk about the aspects of communication, non-verbal ones acquire a great importance. Teachershardly receive non significative experiential training on aspects related to body presence and itsexpression in the classroom (somatic aspects). Body knowledge through a program of body awarenessand nonverbal communication enables the development of intra and interpersonal skills, aiming tocover this training gap. This paper presents the preliminary results of a training program conductedinthis area with teachers from diverse subject areas in the context of higher education.Rodríguez Jiménez, RM.; Caja López, MDM.; Gracia Parra, P.; Velasco Quintana, PJ.; Terrón López, MJ. (2013). Inteligencia Emocional y Comunicación: la conciencia corporal como recurso. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 11(1):213-241. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2013.5598OJS21324111

Validation of a screening questionnaire for hip and knee osteoarthritis in old people

Es reproducción del documentoa publicado en http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-8-84Background: To develop a sensitive and specific screening tool for knee and hip osteoarthritis in the general population of elderly people. Methods: The Knee and Hip OsteoArthritis Screening Questionnaire (KHOA- SQ) was developed based on previous studies and observed data and sent to 11,002 people aged 60 to 90 years, stratified by age and gender, who were selected by random sampling. Algorithms of the KHOA- SQ were created. Respondents positive for knee or hip OA on the KHOA- SQ were invited to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. A sample of 300 individuals negative for knee or hip OA on the KHOA- SQ were also invited for evaluation. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the KHOA- SQ, as well as for KHOA- SQ questions. Classification and Regression Tree analysis was used to find alternative screening algorithms from the questionnaire. Results: Of 11,002 individuals contacted, 7,577 completed the KHOA- SQ. Of 1,115 positive for knee OA, on the KHOA- SQ, 710 ( 63.6%) were diagnosed with it. For hip OA, 339 of the 772 who screened positive ( 43.9%) were diagnosed it. Sensitivity for the hip algorithm was 87.4% and specificity 59.8%; for the knee, sensitivity was 94.5% and specificity 43.8%. Two alternative algorithms provided lower specificity. Conclusion: The KHOA- SQ offers high sensitivity and moderate specificity. Although this tool correctly identifies individuals with knee or hip OA, the high false positive rate could pose problems. Based on our questions, no better algorithm was found

Dysfunction in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a Potential Target for Personalised Medicine

In recent years, numerous pathways were explored in the pathogenesis of COPD in the quest for new potential therapeutic targets for more personalised medical care. In this context, the study of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) began to gain importance, especially since the advent of the new CFTR modulators which had the potential to correct this protein’s dysfunction in COPD. The CFTR is an ion transporter that regulates the hydration and viscosity of mucous secretions in the airway. Therefore, its abnormal function favours the accumulation of thicker and more viscous secretions, reduces the periciliary layer and mucociliary clearance, and produces inflammation in the airway, as a consequence of a bronchial infection by both bacteria and viruses. Identifying CFTR dysfunction in the context of COPD pathogenesis is key to fully understanding its role in the complex pathophysiology of COPD and the potential of the different therapeutic approaches proposed to overcome this dysfunction. In particular, the potential of the rehydration of mucus and the role of antioxidants and phosphodiesterase inhibitors should be discussed. Additionally, the modulatory drugs which enhance or restore decreased levels of the protein CFTR were recently described. In particular, two CFTR potentiators, ivacaftor and icenticaftor, were explored in COPD. The present review updated the pathophysiology of the complex role of CFTR in COPD and the therapeutic options which could be explored

Pyroglutamic acidosis by glutathione regeneration blockage in critical patients with septic shock

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress from glutathione depletion in critically ill patients with a septic shock through the abnormal presence of pyroglutamic acid (PyroGlu) in the urine (indirectly) and through its serum level (directly). Methods: This was a prospective analytical study of 28 critically ill patients with a septic shock who were monitored from admission (initial) to 3 days of stay (final) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Data collected included PyroGlu and glutamic acid (Glu) using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity with a colorimetric assay. The differences in Glu, PyroGlu, and GPX activity between the septic shock group and healthy control group serving as reference values were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney test. The correlations between Glu, PyroGlu, and GPX activity and clinical outcomes were determined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results: In patients with septic shock, serum and urine PyroGlu levels were higher, erythrocyte GPX activity/gr Hb was lower, and urine Glu levels were lower compared to healthy control reference values, for both initial and final values. Initial serum Glu levels were also lower. Serum PyroGlu levels had a correlation with both initial and final serum Glu levels; levels also correlated in the urine. Initial serum Glu correlated with the days of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.016) and the days of ICU stay (P = 0.05). Urine Glu/mg creatinine correlated with APACHE II (P = 0. 030). This positive correlation observed for serum Glu was not observed for PyroGlu. Conclusions: The current study found that septic patients have higher levels of PyroGlu, lower levels of Glu, and lower erythrocyte GPX activity, suggesting that these biomarkers could be used as an indicator of glutathione depletion. In addition, Glu is related to severity parameters. This study can guide future studies on the importance of monitoring the levels of pyroglutamic acidosis in critical patients with septic shock in order to preserve the oxidative status and its evolution during the stay in the ICU.Financial support for the study was provided by Project FIS PI10/1993 from the Spanish Carlos III Health Institute and FEDER European Funds

Polyethylene microplastics do not increase bioaccumuation or toxicity of nonylphenol and 4-MBC to marine zooplankton

Global production of synthetic polymers, led by polyethylene (PE), rose steadily in the last decades, and marine ecosystems are considered as a global sink. Although PE is not biodegradable, in coastal areas it fragments into microplastics (MP) readily taken up by biota, and have been postulated as vectors of hydrophobic chemicals to marine organisms. We have tested this hypothesis using two organisms representative of the marine plankton, the holoplanktonic copepod Acartia clausi, and the meroplanktonic larva of the Paracentrotus lividus sea-urchin, and two model chemicals with similar hydrophobic properties, the 4-n-Nonylphenol and the 4-Methylbenzylidene-camphor used as plastic additive and UV filter in cosmetics. Both test species actively ingested the MP particles. However, the presence of MP never increased the bioaccumulation of neither model chemicals, nor their toxicity to the exposed organisms. Bioaccumulation was a linear function of waterborne chemical disregarding the level of MP. Toxicity, assessed by the threshold (EC10) and median (EC50) effect levels, was either independent of the level of MP or even in some instances significantly decreased in the presence of MPs. These consistent results challenge the assumption that MP act as vectors of hydrophobic chemicals to planktonic marine organismsThis study has received funding by the Spanish Government (MINECO/AEI) through Projects PCIN-2015-187-C03-03 (JPI Oceans EPHEMARE), PCIN-2015-170-C02-01 (JPI Oceans BASEMAN), CTM2016-77945-C3, and CTM2017-84763-C3-2-R, by Xunta de Galicia through “Program of Consolidation and structuring of competitive research groups in the University system of Galicia” (Refs GRC2013-004, ED431C 2017/28 and ED431C 2017/36), and by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). N. S.-G. was granted with a postdoctoral fellowship Mod. A (2016) by Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN), Xunta de GaliciaS