The Structural and Intercultural Competence for Epidemiological Studies (SICES) guidelines: A 22-item checklist

Structural and intercultural competence approaches have been widely applied to fields such as medical training, healthcare practice, healthcare policies and health promotion. Nevertheless, their systematic implementation in epidemiological research is absent. Based on a scoping review and a qualitative analysis, in this article we propose a checklist to assess cultural and structural competence in epidemiological research: the Structural and Intercultural Competence for Epidemiological Studies guidelines. These guidelines are organised as a checklist of 22 items and consider four dimensions of competence (awareness and reflexivity, cultural and structural validation, cultural and structural sensitivity, and cultural and structural representativeness), which are applied to the different stages of epidemiological research: (1) research team building and research questions; (2) study design, participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis; and (3) dissemination. These are the first guidelines addressing structural and cultural competence in epidemiological inquiryThis project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 825884 (SYNergies for Cohorts in Health: integrating the ROle of all Stakeholders, SYNCHROS). AM-H acknowledges the financial support from Institut Català de la Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) under the ICREA Academia Awar

Thallium-induced DNA damage, genetic, and epigenetic alterations

Thallium (Tl) is a toxic heavy metal responsible for noxious effects in living organisms. As a pollutant, Tl can be found in the environment at high concentrations, especially in industrial areas. Systemic toxicity induced by this toxic metal can affect cell metabolism, including redox alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of apoptotic signaling pathways. Recent focus on Tl toxicity has been devoted to the characterization of its effects at the nuclear level, with emphasis on DNA, which, in turn, may be responsible for cytogenetic damage, mutations, and epigenetic changes. In this work, we review and discuss past and recent evidence on the toxic effects of Tl at the systemic level and its effects on DNA. We also address Tl’s role in cancer and its control

Successful development and clinical translation of a novel anterior lamellar artificial cornea

We thank the Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health, through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies, for assuming the roles and responsibilities of sponsoring this clinical trial. We thank Dr. Manuel de la Rosa and Dr. Salvador Arias Santiago for providing insight and expertise that assisted the research.The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public repository, ref. GSE86584 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE86584Blindness due to corneal diseases is a common pathology affecting up to 23 million individuals worldwide. The tissue‐engineered anterior human cornea, which is currently being tested in a Phase I/II clinical trial to treat severe corneal trophic ulcers with preliminary good feasibility and safety results. This bioartificial cornea is based on a nanostructured fibrin–agarose biomaterial containing human allogeneic stromal keratocytes and cornea epithelial cells, mimicking the human native anterior cornea in terms of optical, mechanical, and biological behavior. This product is manufactured as a clinical‐grade tissue engineering product, fulfilling European requirements and regulations. The clinical translation process included several phases: an initial in vitro and in vivo preclinical research plan, including preclinical advice from the Spanish Medicines Agency followed by additional preclinical development, the adaptation of the biofabrication protocols to a good manufacturing practice manufacturing process, including all quality controls required, and the design of an advanced therapy clinical trial. The experimental development and successful translation of advanced therapy medicinal products for clinical application has to overcome many obstacles, especially when undertaken by academia or SMEs. We expect that our experience and research strategy may help future researchers to efficiently transfer their preclinical results into the clinical settings.This study was supported by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (I + D + I) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Carlos III Institute of Health), grants FIS PI14/0955 and FIS PI17/0391 (both cofinanced by ERDF‐FEDER, European Union); by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equity, grant EC10‐285; and by preclinical research funds from the Regional Ministry of Health through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies

Alu retrotransposons promote differentiation of human carcinoma cells through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Cell differentiation is a central process in development and in cancer growth and dissemination. OCT4 (POU5F1) and NANOG are essential for cell stemness and pluripotency; yet, the mechanisms that regulate their expression remain largely unknown. Repetitive elements account for almost half of the Human Genome; still, their role in gene regulation is poorly understood. Here, we show that the dioxin receptor (AHR) leads to differentiation of human carcinoma cells through the transcriptional upregulation of Alu retrotransposons, whose RNA transcripts can repress pluripotency genes. Despite the genome-wide presence of Alu elements, we provide evidences that those located at the NANOG and OCT4 promoters bind AHR, are transcribed by RNA polymerase-III and repress NANOG and OCT4 in differentiated cells. OCT4 and NANOG repression likely involves processing of Alu-derived transcripts through the miRNA machinery involving the Microprocessor and RISC. Consistently, stable AHR knockdown led to basal undifferentiation, impaired Alus transcription and blockade of OCT4 and NANOG repression. We suggest that transcripts produced from AHR-regulated Alu retrotransposons may control the expression of stemness genes OCT4 and NANOG during differentiation of carcinoma cells. The control of discrete Alu elements by specific transcription factors may have a dynamic role in genome regulation under physiological and diseased conditions.Trabajo financiado por: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Proyectos BFU2011-22678, SAF2014-51813-R (I+D+i) para Pedro María Fernández Salguero Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto Carlos III, Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cáncer Junta de Extremadura. Ayudas GR10008, GR15008 CICE-FEDER-P09-CTS-4980, CICE-FEDERP12-CTS-2256, Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2008–2011 y 2013–2016 (FIS-FEDER-PI11/01489, FIS-FEDERPI14/02152), PCIN-2014-115-ERA-NET NEURON II, para José Luis García Pérez European Research Council ERC-Consolidator ERC-STG-2012-233764 International Early Career Scientist Beca de la Howard Hughes Medical Institute IECS-55007420 Programa Unión Europea de Fondos FEDERpeerReviewe

Efficacy and safety clinical trial with efavirenz in patients diagnosed with adult Niemann-pick type C with cognitive impairment

Background:Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC) is a genetic, incurable, neurodegenerative disorder. This orphan disease is most frequently caused by mutations in the NPC1 protein, resulting in intralysossomal cholesterol accumulation. NPC1 is found in neuronal cell bodies, axon terminals and synaptosomes, suggesting it plays a role in lysosomal degradation pathway and in synaptic transmission. Neuronal function is especially vulnerable to NPC1 deficiency and synaptic changes seem a key element in disease development. Currently, Miglustat (Zavesca (R)) is the only approved treatment for NPC. However, preclinical evidence showed that low-dose Efavirenz reverted synaptic defects through pharmacological activation of the enzyme CYP46. Methods:This is a single-center, phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Efavirenz in addition to standard of care in patients diagnosed with adult or late juvenile-onset NPC with cognitive impairment. All enrolled patients will be treated orally with 25 mg/d of Efavirenz for 52 weeks (1 year). Secondary objectives include evaluating clinical (neurological and neuropsychological questionnaires) and biological (imaging and biochemical biomarkers) parameters. Discussion:NPC is still an unmet medical need. Although different therapeutic approaches are under study, this is the first clinical trial (to the best of our knowledge) studying the effects of Efavirenz in adult- and late-juvenile-onset NPC. Despite the small sample size and the single-arm design, we expect the results to show Efavirenz's capacity of activating the CYP46 enzyme to compensate for NPC1 deficiency and correct synaptic changes, therefore compensating cognitive and psychiatric changes in these patients. This study may provide direct benefit to enrolled patients in terms of slowing down the disease progression

Emociones políticas y virtudes epidémicas en el siglo XVIII

El proyecto se propone abrir nuevas vías en la enseñanza de las Humanidades en la UCM mediante la práctica de una historia de las ideas del siglo XVIII que atiende a los condicionantes materiales de la cultura y a la valoración de las emociones como índices de construcción de imágenes de lo privado y lo público. El proyecto pretende, por un lado, explorar los mecanismos materiales de producción de ideas y creencias compartidas por la sociedad del siglo XVIII, teniendo en cuenta los diferentes contextos de la Ilustración Francesa, Alemana, Judía y Escocesa, con especial atención a la formación de metáforas políticas y a las emociones estéticamente más aceptadas y difundidas en la época analizada. La otra dimensión estudiada por el proyecto se refiere a los procesos de configuración de lo público y la crítica intelectual del poder, tomando como instrumento de análisis la comunicación de ideas materializada en la correspondencia, en la prensa, en los libros y en el proyecto de la Enciclopedia. Este programa de trabajo tendrá como principal destinatario el alumnado de Grado, Máster y Doctorado de la UCM, al que se invitará a las sesiones de trabajo del equipo, especialmente al matriculado en las asignaturas impartidas durante el curso 2016/17 por la IP. El proyecto reúne a destacados especialistas de la UCM y de otras universidades madrileñas y españolas, además de contar entre sus miembros con estudiantes de doctorado, que propiciarán la difusión de las actividades entre los estudiantes UCM, y con personal de administración y servicios, a los que se asignarán tareas relacionadas con la difusión y transferencia de los resultados del proyecto, a la sociedad, a la comunidad universitaria UCM y a los estudiantes Erasmus que reciba en el curso 2016/17 la Facultad de Filosofía de la UCM

31 visiones actuales de la transparencia

Treinta y una aportaciones de autores nacionales y extranjeros sobre la transparencia de las instituciones públicas y de los sujetos obligados por la Ley 19/2013 de 9 de diciembre y el derecho de acceso a la información pública

Marco activo de recursos de innovación docente: Madrid

Una guía de espacios e instituciones para actividades educativas complementarias en enseñanza secundaria y Formación Profesional

Jornadas de encuentro entre alumnado y egresados del Máster Universitario en Atención Temprana como estrategia de innovación docente para la realización del TFM.

Depto. de Estudios EducativosFac. de EducaciónFALSEsubmitte