Relevancia de los contenidos vinculados al entorno próximo en el desarrollo de competencias básicas. Propuesta de actuación didáctica para el área de ciencias en la etapa secundaria

En la sociedad del siglo XXI, compleja, diversa y globalizada, los vínculos que configuran la identidad socio-cultural de los individuos aparecen frecuentemente distorsionados. La escuela se encuentra ante un reto esencial: recuperar la cohesión social, formar a un nuevo individuo con capacidad para desarrollar vínculos estables en entornos cambiantes, con capacidad para el aprendizaje permanente y autónomo. Este trabajo ofrece una propuesta en la dirección indicada, destacando el valor de los contenidos asociados al entorno próximo como dinamizadores de la conducta de aprendizaje y del desarrollo de las Competencias Básicas desde el área de Ciencias en la Etapa Secundaria, a la vez que se ofrecen pautas para la generalización a otros contextos de las destrezas adquiridas desde las materias que configuran éste área curricular.In 21st century society -which is complex, diverse and globalized- the bonds that shape each individual’s sociocultural identity often get distorted. School faces an essential challenge: to regain social consolidation, to train new individuals able to develop stable bonds in changing environments, able to learn in a steady and self-reliant way. This paper offers a possible course of action towards the aforementioned aim, stressing the importance of contents connected to the nearby environment as proactive factors in both the learning behaviour and the development of Basic Skills through Sciences’s field in Secondary Schooling, while offering at the same time guidelines for the generalization, in different settings, of the skills acquired through the subjects which conform this curricular area

La información sobre el virus Zika en la prensa local de Almería = Information about Zika virus in the local press of Almería

Resumen: Introducción: La enfermedad causada por el virus del Zika representa uno de los principales problemas de salud pública dada su propagación y posibles complicaciones asociadas. Este estudio resalta la importancia de los medios de comunicación de masas en estos casos y aborda el análisis del contenido informativo publicado en la prensa de Almería como una de las provincias de riesgo en las que se han identificado la presencia de estos mosquitos. Objetivos: Explorar el contenido informativo sobre el virus del Zika publicado en la prensa local de Almería; identificar el periódico local con mayor producción sobre el tema y clasificar la información publicada según su contenido. Material y Métodos: Estudio de diseño descriptivo transversal realizado a partir de los resultados obtenidos en la hemeroteca virtual de los periódicos de La Voz de Almería, Diario de Almería e IDEAL, al introducir la palabra clave zika. Solamente se incluyeron publicaciones de ámbito autonómico en español publicadas desde el año 2015 hasta el momento de la búsqueda. Por último, se diseñaron categorías para clasificar las publicaciones según su contenido informativo. Resultados: Se hallaron un total de 10 publicaciones, siendo La Voz de Almería el periódico local con mayor número de publicaciones relacionadas con el virus del Zika. El 90% se relacionaba con la prevención de las administraciones públicas mediante la gestión y el tratamiento de las aguas residuales, mientras solo un 10% informaba a la población sobre la enfermedad y las medidas preventivas a adoptar. Conclusión: Ante la posible infección por el virus del Zika, la prensa almeriense debería enriquecer mediante una comunicación efectiva el contenido de sus publicaciones a propósito de educar e informar a la población sobre las principales medidas de prevención.Palabras clave: Educación para la Salud, Medios de comunicación, Zika Abstract: Introduction: Zika’s virus disease is one of the most important public health problems due to their spread and their possible associated complications. This study highligths the importance of mass media in this case and it analyzes information content published in the press of Almeria as one of the risk provinces which have identified these mosquitoes. Aim: Exploring the information content on the Zika virus published in the local press of Almería; identifying local newspaper with the highest production about this topic and ranking published information by their content. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study design made from the results obtained in the virtual hemeroteca of the newspaper La Voz de Almería, Diario de Almeria and IDEAL, with the keyword zika. Only autonomic publications in spanish published from 2015 until the time of the search were included. Finally, categories were designed to classify publications according to their informative content. Results: A total of 10 publications were found. La Voz de Almería was the local newspaper with the largest number of publications related to the Zika virus. Around 90% publications was related to the prevention of public administrations through the management and treatment of wastewater, while only 10% report to population about disease and preventive measures to be taken. Conclusion: As a result of possible Zika virus infection, Almeria’s press should enrich their publications content throught a efective comunication in order to educate and inform to the population about the main preventive measures.Keywords Health education, Mass media, Zika

Infrared spectroscopic analysis of the inorganic components from teeth exposed to psychotherapeutic drugs

Teeth are unique and complex anatomical organs that can provide relevant data about a person's health, and play an important role in forensic medicine. Teeth are exposed to food, drinks, and the microbiota of the oral cavity; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization. Nevertheless, the continuous demineralization–remineralization cycle present in the oral environment can be influenced by stress, medication, mineralization agents, and other factors such as individual habits, especially diet. In this study, based on attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectra from tooth samples of 36 patients, several parameters were estimated: the crystallinity index (CI), the phosphate/amide I ratio, and the carbonate/phosphate ratio. In addition, in eight representative samples (six of the root of the tooth and two of the enamel area of the crown), additional characterization by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was conducted. From the FTIR data, it was observed that the highest CI values were found in patients who smoked. Further, in both root and crown samples, the intensity of the absorption band corresponding to PO43- increased in patients undergoing treatment with psychotherapeutic drugs. On the other hand, the intensity of the absorption band of the amide I group decreased with medical treatment and with the patient's biological age. Moreover, it was found that the remineralization process was more active in enamel than in the root due to direct contact with saliva. Regarding the results obtained from the X-ray powder diffractograms, exposure to psychotherapeutic drugs affected the definition of the peaks corresponding to hydroxyapatite, both in the crown and root samples. Concerning SEM results, qualitative differences in the stratification process in demineralized surfaces were observed, and EDS analyses showed some differences in the Ca/P ratio between pathological samples and control ones, but without clear patterns. The above techniques, in particular ATR-FTIR, showed promise for the investigation of the effect of changes produced in the hydroxyapatite structure in teeth and, consequently, to determine possible strategies in the diagnostic protocol

Traceability of the local cultivar ‘Caaveiro’ in flour mixtures used to produce Galician bread by simple sequence repeats and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction technology

The analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and of bulk ground samples by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was investigated as an alternative to individual kernel testing for assessing the presence of local cultivars in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varietal blends. The recent Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) of ‘Pan Galego’ (Galician bread) requires that the flour comprise a minimum 25% local wheat cultivars. As a test for compliance with this minimum level, wheat flours were prepared by mixing commercial flours with 0%, 5%, 20%, 25% and 30% ‘Caaveiro’ and 100% ‘Caaveiro’ and 100% commercial flours were used as controls. A second analysis was performed with a second set of wheat flours with 5% and 25% ‘Caaveiro’. These were mixed with two different commercial flours to assess the potential ability of five SSRs to identify the percentage of ‘Caaveiro’, constituting the first reference of the use of SSRs in the traceability of specific autochthonous cultivars in flour blends. ddPCR using the QX200 system platform was used to the targeted proportions across the simulated range with two out of five SSRs, indicating that they can be used in the traceability of ‘Caaveiro’ in mixed flours and breadsS

Conversion of char from pyrolysis of plastic wastes into alternative activated carbons for heavy metal removal

The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Research State Agency 10.13039/501100011033, and the European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR, Projects Oriented to Ecological and Digital Transition 2021 for the project TED 2021-130157 B–I00 CARBOPLASTIC. They also thank the support provided for the external services of investigation of the University of Granada (Centro de Instrumentación Científica. CIC). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA.The valorization of post-consumer mixed plastics in pyrolysis processes represents an abundant reservoir of carbon that can be effectively converted into useful chars. This process not only holds appeal in terms of improving plastic waste concerns but also contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thus aligning with the principles of a circular economy paradigm. In this study, the char produced from the pyrolysis of post-consumer mixed plastic waste has been activated with Na2CO3, KOH, NaOH, and K2CO3 to improve the textural, structural, and composition characteristics, leading to improved adsorption capability. These characteristics were studied by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, elemental and immediate analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The developed surface area (SBET) was 573, 939, 704 and 592 m2 g−1 for Na2CO3, KOH, NaOH and K2CO3 activated carbons, respectively. These activated chars (ACs) were tested for the adsorption of heavy metals in both synthetic waters containing Pb, Cd, and Cu and industrial wastewater collected at an agrochemical production plant. Na2CO3-AC was the best performing material. The metal uptake in synthetic waters using a batch set-up was 40, 13 and 12 mg g−1 for Pb, Cd and Cu. Experiments in a column set-up using Na2CO3-AC resulted in a saturation time of 290, 16, and 80 min for Pb, Cd, and Cu synthetic waters, respectively, and metal uptakes of 26.8, 4.1, and 7.9 mg g−1, respectively. The agrochemical effluents, containing mainly Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn were tested in a plug-flow column. The metal uptake notably decreased compared to synthetic water due to a competition effect for active sites.Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Research State Agency 10.13039/501100011033European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR: TED 2021-130157 B–I00 CARBOPLASTICUniversity of GranadaUniversidad de Granada/CBU

Insights into using plastic waste to produce activated carbons for wastewater treatment applications: A review

This review explores the potential use of plastic waste for the preparation of activated carbons, which can be used as adsorbent materials to remove contaminants from water. Using discarded plastics to synthesize activated carbons has several benefits. Firstly, it helps to reduce the plastic waste burden that ends up in landfills and oceans or dumped on roadsides. Secondly, it creates a potential sector for using discarded plastics to treat pollutants further and approaches a closer circular economy scenario for plastics. Polyethylene terephthalate, tire, and plastic mixtures have been the plastic polymers most studied. The superficial area of activated carbons derived from plastic waste chars varies in a wide range, from 0.1 to 2152 m2/g. KOH seems to be the most widespread activated agent used, and the one that leads to the best textural properties. In general, the adsorption capacities of heavy metals were lower than 300 mg/g. On average, plastic waste chars have higher kinetic rates for adsorbing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) compared to heavy metals. CECs uptake varies from 2 to 659 mg/g. Although the feasibility of developing porous materials is currently under research with promising results for a successful industrial application, some flaws regarding the granulometry, possible leaching, regeneration ability, and costs, among others, have not been addressed yet

Phytotoxicity of extracts of Dieffenbachia amoena, Nerium oleander, Raphanus sativus and Brassica napobrassica

El potencial que ofrecen las plantas como fuente de principios bioactivos ha sido poco estudiado. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la actividad fitotóxica de los extractos metanólicos de Dieffenbachia amoena, Nerium oleander, Raphanus sativus y Brassica napobrassica en la germinación y vigor de las plántulas de Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lactuca sativa, Solanum lycopersicum y Oryza sativa. Las variables evaluadas fueron porcentaje de germinación y vigor de la plántula (longitud de radícula, LR y longitud de la parte aérea, LPA). Se realizó un análisis de varianza y comparaciones de medias de Tukey (P ≤ 0,05). Los extractos de B. napobrassica y R. sativus presentaron el mayor efecto fitotóxico en comparación con los extractos de las especies restantes, al afectar la germinación de las semillas de E. crus-galli y L. sativa (96 y 99% a la concentración de 1%, y 90 y 100% a la concentración de 5%, respectivamente). Ambos extractos inhibieron el crecimiento de la LR y LPA de C. album, E. crus-galli, L. sativa y O. sativa, la excepción fue S. lycopersicum. Se identificó la presencia de glucosinolatos en los extractos de las especies de Brassica napobrassica y Raphanus sativus.The potential of plants as a source of bioactive principles has been little studied. The objective of this research was to determine phytotoxic activity of methanol extracts of Dieffenbachia amoena, Neriu moleander, Raphanus sativus and Brassica napobrassica on germination and seedling vigor of Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lactuca sativa, Solanum lycopersicum and Oryza sativa. The variables evaluated were germination percentage and seedling vigor (radicle length, RL and aerial part length, APL). An analysis of variance and Tukey's comparison of means test (P ≤ 0.05) was performed. The methanol extracts of B. napobrassica and R. sativus showed the highest phytotoxic effect in comparison with the extracts of the other species, by affecting the germination of the seeds of E. crus-galli and L. sativa (96 and 99% at the concentration of 1%, and 90 and 100% at the concentration of 5%, respectively). Both extracts inhibited the growth of RL and APL of C. album, E. crus-galli, L. sativa and O. sativa; the only exception was S. lycopersicum. Glucosinolates were detected in the extracts of the Brassica napobrassica and Raphanus sativus species.Fil: Díaz-Mota, María de los Ángeles. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Martínez-Solís, Juan. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Acosta-Ramos, Marcelo. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Serrato-Cruz, Miguel Ángel. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Colinas-León, María Teresa. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Magdaleno-Villar, Jesús. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: María Rosario García-Mateos. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México

Una revisión de estudios experimentales sobre hepatotoxicidad relacionada a la exposición por acrilamida

Introduction: Acrylamide is a toxic compound that can be formed in foods prepared at high temperatures; chronic exposure to it causes neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, and it is consider as a potential carcinogenic. Liver is the main organ that metabolizes acrylamide and there, acrylamide and its metabolites can cause damage and chronic inflammation that might trigger serious pathologies. Objective: To analyze the most recent information regarding hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of acrylamide. Material and method: A journal search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, using MeSH terms: liver, toxicity, acrylamide, oxidative stress, Wistar Rat and Booleans: “and”, “or”, “not”, and considering articles from 2018, selecting those that described in its content data related keywords. Results: Hepatotoxicity due to exposure to acrylamide is related to alterations in oxidative stress biomarkers, changes in metabolomics and autophagy processes, inflammasome activation, and stereological and histological modifications. Conclusion: The updated information in the available literature demonstrates that hepatotoxicity associated with acrylamide consumption is underlain by various cellular mechanisms in which oxidative stress is generally involved, therefore the approach to develop strategies to understand and reduce the impact of exposure must consider these aspects.Introducción: La acrilamida es un compuesto tóxico que puede formarse en alimentos preparados a altas temperaturas, en exposición crónica provoca neurotoxicidad, genotoxicidad, y puede ser carcinógena. El hígado es el principal encargado de su metabolismo, la acrilamida y sus metabolitos pueden producir daños e inflamación crónica hepática que pueden desencadenar patologías graves. Objetivo: Analizar la información más reciente con relación a la hepatotoxicidad asociada a la ingesta de acrilamida. Material y Método: Se realizó una revisión hemerográfica en PubMed, ScienceDirect y Google Académico, utilizando términos MeSH: liver, toxicity, acrylamide, oxidative stress, Wistar Rat y Booleanos: “and”, “or”, “not” considerando artículos a partir del 2018, seleccionando los que describieran en su contenido datos relacionados las palabras clave. Resultados: La hepatotoxicidad por exposición a acrilamida está relacionada a alteraciones de biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, cambios en metabolómica y en procesos de autofagia, activación del inflamasoma, y modificaciones estereológicas e histológicas. Conclusión: La información actualizada demuestra que a la hepatotoxicidad asociada a acrilamida le subyacen diversos mecanismos celulares en los que generalmente está involucrado el estrés oxidativo, por ello el abordaje de estrategias para entender y disminuir el impacto de la exposición debe considerar dichos aspectos

Hepatic and serum branched-chain fatty acid profile in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A case–control study

Objective Alterations in the hepatic lipidome are a crucial factor involved in the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum and hepatic profile of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) in patients with different stages of NAFLD. Methods This was a case–control study performed in 27 patients without NAFLD, 49 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver, and 17 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, defined by liver biopsies. Serum and hepatic levels of BCFAs were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The hepatic expression of genes involved in the endogenous synthesis of BCFAs was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results A significant increase in hepatic BCFAs was found in subjects with NAFLD compared with those without NAFLD; no differences were observed in serum BCFAs between study groups. Trimethyl BCFAs, iso-BCFAs, and anteiso-BCFAs were increased in subjects with NAFLD (either nonalcoholic fatty liver or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) compared with those without NAFLD. Correlation analysis showed a relationship between hepatic BCFAs and the histopathological diagnosis of NAFLD, as well as other histological and biochemical parameters related to this disease. Gene expression analysis in liver showed that the mRNA levels of BCAT1, BCAT2, and BCKDHA were upregulated in patients with NAFLD. Conclusions These results suggest that the increased production of liver BCFAs might be related to NAFLD development and progression.This work was funded by the Institute of Health “Carlos III” (ISCIII) and cofunded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER (grant number PI20/00505). J.C.F-G was supported by an intensification research program (INT21/00078, ISCIII, Spain; cofunded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER), M.A.M-S was supported by a PFIS predoctoral fellowship from the ISCIII (FI21/00003, ISCIII, Spain; cofunded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER), and B.R-M was supported by the “Miguel Servet Type I” program (CP19/00098, ISCIII, Spain; cofunded by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER). The funding organizations played no role in the design of the study, review and interpretation of the data, or final approval of the manuscript. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Plasma ACE2 species are differentially altered in COVID-19 patients

Studies are needed to identify useful biomarkers to assess the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Here, we examine the levels of various plasma species of the SARS-CoV-2 host receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), in patients at different phases of the infection. Human plasma ACE2 species were characterized by immunoprecipitation and western blotting employing antibodies against the ectodomain and the C-terminal domain, using a recombinant human ACE2 protein as control. In addition, changes in the cleaved and full-length ACE2 species were also examined in serum samples derived from humanized K18-hACE2 mice challenged with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 immunoreactivity was present in human plasma as several molecular mass species that probably comprise truncated (70 and 75 kDa) and full-length forms (95, 100, 130, and 170 kDa). COVID-19 patients in the acute phase of infection (n = 46) had significantly decreased levels of ACE2 full-length species, while a truncated 70-kDa form was marginally higher compared with non-disease controls (n = 26). Levels of ACE2 full-length species were in the normal range in patients after a recovery period with an interval of 58-70 days (n = 29), while the 70-kDa species decreased. Levels of the truncated ACE2 species served to discriminate between individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2 and those infected with influenza A virus (n = 17). In conclusion, specific plasma ACE2 species are altered in patients with COVID-19 and these changes normalize during the recovery phase. Alterations in ACE2 species following SARS-CoV-2 infection warrant further investigation regarding their potential usefulness as biomarkers for the disease process and to asses efficacy during vaccination