Experiencias de innovación docente y uso de nuevas tecnologías en la enseñanza del tratamiento de la imagen digital en Geomática

[ES] La asignatura de Tratamiento de la imagen digital se encuentra en segundo de Grado en Ingeniería en Geomática y Topografía. Sus seis créditos se reparten en tres de teoría de aula y tres de prácticas de laboratorio. En este trabajo se muestra cómo se ha organizado la docencia y las metodologías empleadas en la asignatura buscando el aprendizaje autónomo y significativo del alumno, intentando aumentar su motivación e implicación. Se pretende cambiar la tendencia pasiva del alumno hacia un aprendizaje activo dentro y fuera del aula que le permita llegar a las clases con el material trabajado y dispuesto a resolver las cuestiones que se planteen y a obtener e interpretar resultados. Se diseñaron clases prácticas basadas en los contenidos teóricos, con videos de 10 minutos (Polimedias) sobre cómo ejecutar las prácticas y con un test que permite evaluar los resultados y recoger los comentarios que se derivan del desarrollo de las prácticas. Sin embargo, es necesario avanzar en el diseño de actividades encaminadas hacia la docencia inversa (flip teaching), es decir hacia clases en las que el alumno debata y resuelva las dudas y cuestiones que se le planteen y que le permitan abandonar la posición de alumno pasivo.Porres De La Haza, MJ.; Fernández-Sarría, A.; Recio Recio, JA. (2014). Experiencias de innovación docente y uso de nuevas tecnologías en la enseñanza del tratamiento de la imagen digital en Geomática. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 897-904. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/168756S89790

Association of JAK/STAT genetic variants with cutaneous melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma; Genetic variant; PrognosisMelanoma cutáneo; Variante genética; PronósticoMelanoma cutani; Variant genètica; PronòsticBackground: The Janus-activated kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway regulates cutaneous melanoma (CM) development and progression. The JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 proteins are encoded by polymorphic genes. This study aimed to verify whether single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in JAK1 (c.1648+1272G>A, c.991-27C>T), JAK2 (c.-1132G>T, c.-139G>A), and STAT3 (c.*1671T>C, c.-1937C>G) altered the risk, clinicopathological aspects, and survival of CM patients as well as protein activity. Methods: CM patients (N = 248) and controls (N = 274) were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 expression was assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). STAT3 c.-1937C>G SNV was investigated by luciferase, qPCR, western blot, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays in SKMEL-28 cells with CC or GG genotype. Results: Individuals with STAT3 c.*1671TT and c.-1937CC genotypes and TC haplotype of both SNVs were under about 2.0-fold increased risk of CM. Specific JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 combined genotypes were associated with up to 4.0-fold increased risk of CM. Higher luciferase activity [4,013.34 vs. 2,463.32 arbitrary units (AU); p = 0.004], STAT3 expression by qPCR (649.20 vs. 0.03 AU; p = 0.003) and western blot (1.69 vs. 1.16 AU; p = 0.01), and percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle (57.54 vs. 30.73%; p = 0.04) were more frequent in SKMEL-28 with STAT3 c.-1937CC than with GG genotype. CM cell line with CC genotype presented higher STAT3 protein levels than the one with GG genotype (1.93 versus 1.27 AU, p = 0.0027). Conclusion: Our data present preliminary evidence that inherited abnormalities in the JAK/STAT pathway can be used to identify individuals at a high risk of CM, who deserve additional attention for tumor prevention and early detection.This work was supported by grants from the FAPESP (2016/25407-4 and 2019/16776-4) and FAPESP 2019/09168-8

Subtipado molecular del cáncer de mama masculino con PAM50: Correlación con el subtipaje inmunohistoquímico y estudio de supervivencia.

Introducción: El cáncer de mama masculino es una enfermedad rara aún poco conocida, que principalmente corresponde a subtipo luminal usando la clasificación molecular subrogada a inmunohistoquímica. En este estudio, se evalúa por primera vez la correlación entre los subtipos moleculares basados en un panel inmunohistoquímico de seis marcadores y el obtenido mediante la firma PAM50 en el cáncer de mama masculino, así como la evolución clínica de los diferentes subtipos encontrados. Material y métodos: Se recogieron 67 muestras quirúrgicas de cáncer de mama masculino invasivo de cuatro diferentes Servicios de Anatomía Patológica. La tinción inmunohistoquímica se realizó sobre tissue-microarrays, con un panel de seis marcadores (RE, RP, Her2, Ki67, CK 5-6 y EGFR). Los subtipos de PAM50 se determinaron mediante nCounter Analysis System. Se estudió la asociación entre los subtipos obtenidos mediante inmunohistoquímica y los determinados por PAM50, así como la supervivencia global y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad en los diferentes subtipos de cada clasificación. Resultados: La distribución de los subtipos moleculares tumorales según PAM50 fue: 60% luminal B, 30% luminal A y 10% Her2-enriched. Sólo uno de los tumores Her2-enriched también fue detectado por inmunohistoquímica y tratado con trastuzumab. No se obtuvo ningún tumor de subtipo basal-like. Utilizando la clasificación inmunohistoquímica, 51% de los tumores fueron luminal B, 43% luminal A, 3,5% triple negativo y 1,5% Her2-positivo. Las características clínico-patológicas no difirieron significativamente entre los subtipos inmunohistoquímicos y PAM50. Se observó una supervivencia global menor en los tumores Her2-enriched comparados con los luminales. Conclusión: El cáncer de mama masculino es principalmente una enfermedad genómica luminal con un predominio del subtipo luminal B. Además, se observaron casos de pacientes Her2-negativos por inmunohistoquímica, pero de perfil Her2-enriched por PAM50, con peor evolución clínica comparado con el subtipo luminal, que podrían haberse beneficiado de terapia anti-Her2.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis management in Spain

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impacte; TuberculosiCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impacto; TuberculosisCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Impact; TuberculosisBackground The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis (TB) patients is unknown. Methods Participating centres completed a structured web-based survey regarding changes to TB patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also included data from participating centres on patients aged ≥18 diagnosed with TB in 2 periods: March 15 to June 30, 2020 and March 15 to June 30, 2019. Clinical variables and information about patient household contacts were retrospectively collected. Results A total of 7 (70%) TB units reported changes in their usual TB team operations. Across both periods of study, 169 patients were diagnosed with active TB (90 in 2019, 79 in 2020). Patients diagnosed in 2020 showed more frequent bilateral lesions in chest X-ray than patients diagnosed in 2019 ( P = 0.004). There was a higher percentage of latent TB infection and active TB among children in households of patients diagnosed in 2020, compared with 2019 ( P = 0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial changes in TB care. TB patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic showed more extended pulmonary forms. The increase in latent TB infection and active TB in children of patient households could reflect increased household transmission due to anti-COVID-19 measures.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.MLA was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Rio Hortega” and ASM was supported by a postdoctoral grant “Juan Rodés” (JE18/00022) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the Spanish Ministry of economy and competitiveness

Glycemic markers and relation with arterial stiffness in Caucasian subjects of the MARK study

[EN]BACKGROUND: Effect of prediabetes and normal glucose on arterial stiffness remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in Caucasian adults. The secondary aim was to analyse this relationship by glycaemic status. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary care. Participants: 2,233 subjects, 35-74 years. Measures: FPG (mg/dL) and HbA1c (%) of all subjects were measured using standard automated enzymatic methods. PG (mg/dL) was self-measured at home two hours after meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for one day using an Accu-chek ® glucometer. CAVI was measured using a VaSera VS-1500® device (Fukuda Denshi), and baPWV was calculated using a validated equation. RESULTS: CAVI and baPWV values were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes mellitus than in glucose normal and prediabetes groups (p<0.001). FPG, PG and HbA1c were positively associated with CAVI and baPWV. The β regression coefficient for: HbA1c was 0.112 (CI 95% 0.068 to 0.155) with CAVI, 0.266 (CI 95% 0.172 to 0.359) with baPWV; for PG was 0.006 (CI 95% 0.004 to 0.009 and for FPG was 0.005 (CI 95% 0.002 to 0.008) with baPWV; and for PG was 0.002 (CI 95% 0.001 to 0.003) and 0.003 (CI 95% 0.002 to 0.004) with CAVI (p<0.01 in all cases). When analysing by hyperglycaemic status, FPG, PG and HbA1c were positively associated with CAVI and baPWV in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: FPG, PG and HbA1c show a positive association with CAVI and baPWV, in Caucasian adults with intermediate cardiovascular risk factors. When analysing by hyperglycaemic status, the association is only maintained in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ATENEA, la primera plataforma de campus virtual con certificado de accesibilidad

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC), in order to provide people with various disabilities equal access to information systems, has promoted the project “Infoaccessibilitat” coordinated by the Chair Accessibility, framed within the agreement of collaboration with UPC IMSERSO (Institute for the Elderly and Social Services) and the ONCE Foundation. This study describes a project undertaken to ensure that e-learning platform of UPC is accessible to everyone.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Restoring cellular magnesium balance through Cyclin M4 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver damage

Acetaminophen overdose is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure and liver transplantation in the Western world. Magnesium is essential in several cellular processess. The Cyclin M family is involved in magnesium transport across cell membranes. Herein, we identify that among all magnesium transporters, only Cyclin M4 expression is upregulated in the liver of patients with acetaminophen overdose, with disturbances in magnesium serum levels. In the liver, acetaminophen interferes with the mitochondrial magnesium reservoir via Cyclin M4, affecting ATP production and reactive oxygen species generation, further boosting endoplasmic reticulum stress. Importantly, Cyclin M4 mutant T495I, which impairs magnesium flux, shows no effect. Finally, an accumulation of Cyclin M4 in endoplasmic reticulum is shown under hepatoxicity. Based on our studies in mice, silencing hepatic Cyclin M4 within the window of 6 to 24 h following acetaminophen overdose ingestion may represent a therapeutic target for acetaminophen overdose induced liver injury.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades MICINN: PID2020-117116RB-I00 integrado en el Plan Estatal de Investigación Cientifica y Técnica y Innovación, cofinanciado con Fondos FEDER (to MLM-C), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 Program Grant CSD2008-00005 (to LAMC); Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Grant BFU2013-47531-R, BFU2016-77408-R, PID2019-109055RB-100 (to L.A.M.-C.) (MINECO/FEDER, UE); Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (MLM-C, TC-D), Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC Scientific Foundation) Rare Tumor Calls 2017 (to M.L.M.-C.), La Caixa Foundation Program (to M.L.M.-C.), Fundacion BBVA UMBRELLA project (to M.L.M.-C.), Ayuda RYC2020-029316-I financiada por MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (to TC-D), Plataforma de Investigación Clínica-SCReN (PT17 0017 0020) (to M.I.-L.), programa retos RTC2019-007125-1 (to M.L.M.-C, J.S.), Proyectos Investigacion en Salud DTS20/00138 (to M.L.M.-C., J.S), ERA-Net E-Rare EJP RD Joint Translational Call for Rare Diseases FIGHT-CNNM2 (EJPRD19-040) and from Instituto Carlos III, Spain (REF G95229142) (to L.A.M.-C.), US National Institutes of Health under grant CA217817 (to D.B.), Ciberehd_ISCIII_MINECO is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. We thankMINECO for the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation to CIC bioGUNE (SEV-2016-0644) and PhD fellowship fromMINECO (REF BES-2017-080435) awarded to I.G.-R. The collection and storage of patients tissues was supported by the Newcastle Biomedicine Biobank and the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2001–2013) and Cancer Research UK awards Cancer Research UK grants C18342/A23390; C9380/A18084 and C9380/A26813. Finally, we would like to acknowledge Begoña Rodríguez Iruretagoyena for the technical support provided

Mitochondrial bioenergetics boost macrophage activation, promoting liver regeneration in metabolically compromised animals

Background and aims: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the leading cause of early posttransplantation organ failure as mitochondrial respiration and ATP production are affected. A shortage of donors has extended liver donor criteria, including aged or steatotic livers, which are more susceptible to IRI. Given the lack of an effective treatment and the extensive transplantation waitlist, we aimed at characterizing the effects of an accelerated mitochondrial activity by silencing methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) in three preclinical models of IRI and liver regeneration, focusing on metabolically compromised animal models. Approach and results: Wild-type (WT), MCJ knockout (KO), and Mcj silenced WT mice were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (Phx), prolonged IRI, and 70% Phx with IRI. Old and young mice with metabolic syndrome were also subjected to these procedures. Expression of MCJ, an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration, increases in preclinical models of Phx with or without vascular occlusion and in donor livers. Mice lacking MCJ initiate liver regeneration 12 h faster than WT and show reduced ischemic injury and increased survival. MCJ knockdown enables a mitochondrial adaptation that restores the bioenergetic supply for enhanced regeneration and prevents cell death after IRI. Mechanistically, increased ATP secretion facilitates the early activation of Kupffer cells and production of TNF, IL-6, and heparin-binding EGF, accelerating the priming phase and the progression through G1 /S transition during liver regeneration. Therapeutic silencing of MCJ in 15-month-old mice and in mice fed a high-fat/high-fructose diet for 12 weeks improves mitochondrial respiration, reduces steatosis, and overcomes regenerative limitations. Conclusions: Boosting mitochondrial activity by silencing MCJ could pave the way for a protective approach after major liver resection or IRI, especially in metabolically compromised, IRI-susceptible organs.Funding information: Supported by grants from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades MICINN (PID2020-117116RB-100, RTI2018-096759-A-100, RTI2018-095114-B-I00, PID2019-108977RB-100 and RTI2018-095700-B100, integrado en el Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y Innovación, cofinanciado con Fondos FEDER, to M.L.M.-C., T.C.D., C.P., P.M.-S., and N.G.A.A., respectively), Subprograma Retos Colaboración RTC2019-007125-1; Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC Scientific Foundation) Rare Tumor Calls 2017 (to M.L.M.-C.); Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (to T.C.D. and M.S.-M); La Caixa Foundation Program (HR17-00601, to M.L.M.-C.), Proyectos Investigación en Salud DTS20/00138 (to M.L.M.-C.); Departamento de Industria del Gobierno Vasco (to M.L.M.-C.); Departamento de Educación del Gobierno Vasco (to N.G.-U. and J.S.); Acción Estratégica Ciber Emergentes 2018 (Ciberehd-ISCIII) and Gilead Sciences International Research Scholars Program in Liver Disease (to M.V.-R.); Ciberehd_ISCIII_MINECO is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIAcknowledgments: We thank MINECO for the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation to CIC bioGUNE (SEV-2016-0644). We acknowledge Begoña Rodríguez Iruretagoyena for the technical support provided

Implementation of a multidisciplinary psychoeducational intervention for Parkinson's disease patients and carers in the community: study protocol

Background: Parkinson’s disease progressively limits patients at different levels and as a result family members play a key role in their care. However, studies show lack of an integrative approach in Primary Care to respond to the difficulties and psychosocial changes experienced by them. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary psychoeducational intervention focusing on improving coping skills, the psychosocial adjustment to Parkinson’s disease and the quality of life in patients and family carers in a Primary Care setting. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with control group and mixed methods was designed to evaluate a multidisciplinary psychoeducational intervention. Based on the study power calculations, 100 people with Parkinson’s disease and 100 family carers will be recruited and assigned to two groups. The intervention group will receive the ReNACE psychoeducational intervention. The control group will be given a general educational programme. The study will be carried out in six community-based health centres. The results obtained from the two groups will be collected for evaluation at three time points: at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at 6 months post-intervention. The results will be measured with these instruments: the Quality of Life Scale PDQ39 for patients and the Scale of Quality of Life of Care-givers SQLC for family carers, and for all participants the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness scale and the Brief COPE Inventory. Focus groups will be organised with some patients and family carers who will have received the ReNACE psychoeducational intervention and also with the healthcare professionals involved in its development. Discussion: An important gap exists in the knowledge and application of interventions with a psychosocial approach for people with PD and family carers as a whole. This study will promote this comprehensive approach in Primary Care, which will clearly contribute in the existing knowledge and could reduce the burden of PD for patients and family carers, and also in other long-term conditions

Reversions of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in tuberculosis contact investigation: A prospective multicentre cohort study

Background: Interferon-y Release Assays (IGRA) reversions have been reported in different clinical scenarios for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection. This study aimed to determine the rate of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) reversions during contact investigation as a potential strategy to reduce the number of preventive treatments. Methods: Prospective, multicentre cohort study of immunocompetent adult contacts of patients with pulmonary TB tested with QFT-Plus. Contacts with an initial positive QFT-Plus (QFT-i) underwent a second test within 4 weeks (QFT-1), and if negative, underwent a repeat test 4 weeks later (QFT-2). Based on the QFT-2 result, we classified cases as sustained reversion if they remained negative and as temporary reversion if they turned positive. Results: We included 415 contacts, of whom 96 (23.1%) had an initial positive test (QFT-i). Following this, 10 had negative QFT-1 results and 4 (4.2%) of these persisted with a negative result in the QFT-2 (sustained reversions). All four sustained reversions occurred in contacts with IFN-γ concentrations between ≥0.35 and ≤0.99 IU•mL-1 in one or both QFT-i tubes. Conclusion: In this study, TB contact investigations rarely reveal QFT-Plus reversion. These results do not support retesting cases with an initial positive result to reduce the number of preventive treatments