Estudio del metabolismo peptídico folicular y su relación con la fertilidad

205 p.Actualmente un 15% de parejas precisan ayuda para conseguir gestación. Un porcentajede ellas precisará tratamientos de reproducción asistida, cómo la fecundación in vitro.En esta tesis nos preguntamos si pudiéramos pronosticar el estado fértil de la mujermediante el análisis de la composición bioquímica del Líquido Folicular, y de esta formapodríamos optimizar los actuales tratamientos de reproducción asistida.Hemos descrito actividad enzimática en el líquido folicular de todas las peptidasasestudiadas en nuestra tesis, siendo DPPIV y NEP las de mayor actividad. No existendiferencias apreciables entre las actividades de las diferentes extracciones de la mismapaciente, así como en las que se obtiene ovocito de las que no.Analizando los diferentes grupos de estudio, encontramos diferencias de actividad en PSAen las pacientes añosas. También hemos descrito la actividad de NEP por primera vez enla literatura, observando un descenso del tono opioidérgico en las pacientes mayores de39 años. En las pacientes con endometriosis encontramos alteraciones de prácticamentetodos los metabolismos peptídicos, especialmente el opioidérgico

Wiki-based e-assessment of competences

In the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) curricula are mainly organized around the development of competences where assessment plays a central role. Contents and processes have to produce a useful and factual knowledge about students’ competence level, recognising their needs and developing their competences (Dodero y col., 2009). In this context, students’ active participation in their own assessment is essential. Therefore, teachers need to plan this participation and introduce it into the teaching and learning process. Interactive and dialogical asynchronous contribution tools (IDACT), such as forums, blogs and wikis, are an exceptional resource to develop generic competences as communication, discussion and negotiation. They can also promote both students’ involvement in the assessment process and students’ interaction with instructors

Metabolism of renin-angiotensin and enkephalin in human follicular fluid: An experimental study.

Background: The relationship between the biochemical characteristics of follicular fluid (FF), oocyte quality and embryonic development has not yet been elucidated. We compared samples of FF with a normal metabolic profile against samples with metabolic abnormalities to identify potential predictive biomarkers of reproductive success. Objective: To analyze peptide activity in the FF of women undergoing in vitro fertilization using 3 samples of FF per individual. Materials and Methods: FF samples were obtained by ovum pick-up. Pathological samples were defined as samples of FF obtained from women with a gynecological condition or with infertility. A total of 30 women participated in this study. 3 samples of FF were obtained per individual (90 samples), but 8 samples were excluded because they were hemolyzed. The samples (n = 82 FF) included controls (n = 36, donors without fertility problems), women with endometriosis (n = 15), unexplained infertility (n = 19), and aged > 39 (n = 12). We assessed local encephalinergics: aminopeptidase-N (puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase and neutral endopeptidase; and components of the angiotensin system of the reproductive tract: prolyl-endopeptidase, APN, aspartate-aminopeptidase, and basic-aminopeptidase. Results: No differences were observed in peptide metabolism based on the presence or absence of oocytes in the FF. Women with endometriosis and aged > 39 yr showed alterations in puromycin sensitive aminopeptidase (p = 0.01), aminopeptidase-B (p = 0.01), aspartate-aminopeptidase (p < 0.001) and neutral endopeptidase (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals alterations in the metabolism of enkephalin and angiotensin in pathological FF, which points to these components as potential diagnostic biomarkers.This work was supported by grants from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU GIU 17/19) and the Gangoiti Barrera Foundation, Spain (Basque Country)

¿Cómo sistematizar la evaluación en la universidad? Procedimientos de evaluación en LMS

Durante el proceso de evaluación es importante sistematizar el proceso a seguir, planificando y coordinando sus distintos elementos. Por ello, es necesario establecer procedimientos de evaluación que nos permitan clarificar e identificar en un documento público y consensuado los criterios, el objeto de evaluación, las tareas a realizar, los productos esperados, las personas que evalúan y los métodos, técnicas e instrumentos de evaluación (Ibarra, 2008; Rodríguez, 2009). Junto a este planteamiento, y teniendo en cuenta que la incorporación de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) al proceso de aprendizaje universitario es un hecho, sobre todo a través de los denominadas Aulas Virtuales (basadas en LMS –Learning Management System- como Moodle o WebCT), nuestro objetivo es realizar la modelización de procedimientos de evaluación a entornos virtuales, creando unidades de evaluación reutilizables e intercambiables, que faciliten la adaptación de las prácticas docentes a nuevos entornos

La voz del estudiante en la evaluación del aprendizaje: un camino por recorrer en la universidad

Durante el curso 2009/2010 se llevó a cabo esta investigación con el objetivo de analizar la opinión y perspectiva que profesores y estudiantes universitarios tienen sobre la participación de estos últimos en el proceso de evaluación. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de 76 programas de asignaturas universitarias y se encuestaron mediante dos cuestionarios a 40 profesores y 614 estudiantes universitarios. Los resultados muestran una escasez de evidencias sobre la participación real de los estudiantes. Además, confirman opiniones divergentes entre docentes y estudiantes sobre los usos y las formas en las que se concreta esta participación activa en la evaluación

Asistir, consultar, involucrar: ¿es necesario redefinir el concepto de participación comunitaria?

Objetivo Describir qué entienden por participación comunitaria las personas que trabajan en 10 proyectos de promoción de la salud y cómo se implementa. Método Estudio mixto cuali-cuantitativo. Se recopilaron datos mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a 10 personas representantes de los proyectos, y se realizaron talleres presenciales en los que participaron 53 personas que contestaron a un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc para identificar los niveles de participación comunitaria. Análisis estadístico descriptivo de los cuestionarios y análisis de matriz de las entrevistas, observaciones y grabaciones de los talleres. Resultados Aunque los proyectos se definen como muy participativos, la participación se manifiesta principalmente como asistencia, con escasos ejemplos de consulta o implicación real de la comunidad. Conclusiones La discrepancia observada puede deberse a una falta de cultura de participación de individuos e instituciones, y a falta de formación. Se propone dejar de hablar de participación-asistencia y hacerlo de consultar o involucrar a las personas

Pregnancy Outcomes and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group Study

Pregnant women who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. With this study, we aimed to better understand the relationship between maternal infection and perinatal outcomes, especially preterm births, and the underlying medical and interventionist factors. This was a prospective observational study carried out in 78 centers (Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group) with a cohort of 1347 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive pregnant women registered consecutively between 26 February and 5 November 2020, and a concurrent sample of PCR-negative mothers. The patients' information was collected from their medical records, and the association of SARS-CoV-2 and perinatal outcomes was evaluated by univariable and multivariate analyses. The data from 1347 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnancies were compared with those from 1607 SARS-CoV-2-negative pregnancies. Differences were observed between both groups in premature rupture of membranes (15.5% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001); venous thrombotic events (1.5% vs. 0.2%, p < 0.001); and severe pre-eclampsia incidence (40.6 vs. 15.6%, p = 0.001), which could have been overestimated in the infected cohort due to the shared analytical signs between this hypertensive disorder and COVID-19. In addition, more preterm deliveries were observed in infected patients (11.1% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001) mainly due to an increase in iatrogenic preterm births. The prematurity in SARS-CoV-2-affected pregnancies results from a predisposition to end the pregnancy because of maternal disease (pneumonia and pre-eclampsia, with or without COVID-19 symptoms)

Late gadolinium enhancement distribution patterns in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: Genotype-phenotype correlation.

AIMS Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is frequently found in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there is little information about its frequency and distribution pattern according to underlying genetic substrate. We sought to describe LGE patterns according to genotype and to analyze the risk of major ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) according to patterns. METHODS AND RESULTS Cardiac magnetic resonance findings and LGE distribution according to genetics was performed in a cohort of 600 DCM patients followed at 20 Spanish centers. After exclusion of individuals with multiple causative gene variants or with variants in infrequent DCM-causing genes, 577 patients (34% females, mean age 53.5 years, LVEF 36.9 ± 13.9%) conformed the final cohort. A causative genetic variant was identified in 219 (38%) patients and 147 (25.5%) had LGE. Significant differences were found comparing LGE patterns between genes (P < 0.001). LGE was absent or rare in patients with variants in TNNT2, RBM20 and MYH7 (0%, 5% and 20%, respectively). Patients with variants in DMD, DSP and FLNC showed predominance of LGE subepicardial pattern (50%, 41% and 18%, respectively) whereas patients with variants in TTN, BAG3, LMNA and MYBPC3 showed unspecific LGE patterns. Genetic yield differed according to LGE pattern. Patients with subepicardial, lineal midwall, transmural, right ventricular insertion points or with combination of LGE patterns showed increased risk of MVA compared with patients without LGE. CONCLUSION LGE patterns in DCM has a specific distribution according to the affected gene. Certain LGE patterns are associated with increased risk of MVA and with increased yield of genetic testing.This study has been funded by Instituto Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the projects ‘PI18/0004, PI19/01283, and PI20/0320’ (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund ‘A way to make Europe’/‘Investing in your future’). The Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, the Hospital Universitario Vall Hebrón, the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, and the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca are members of the European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence, and Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart). F.d.F. receives grant support from ISCIII (CM20/00101). R.B. receives funding from the Obra Social la Caixa Foundation. M.B. receives funding from ISCIII (PI19/01283). The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish Government (MCIN), and Pro CNIC Foundation.S

Penetrance of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Genotype-Positive Relatives

BACKGROUND Disease penetrance in genotype -positive (G+) relatives of families with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the characteristics associated with DCM onset in these individuals are unknown. OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the penetrance of new DCM diagnosis in G+ relatives and to identify factors associated with DCM development. METHODS The authors evaluated 779 G+ patients (age 35.8 +/- 17.3 years; 459 [59%] females; 367 [47%] with variants in TTN ) without DCM followed at 25 Spanish centers. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 37.1 months (Q1 -Q3: 16.3-63.8 months), 85 individuals (10.9%) developed DCM (incidence rate of 2.9 per 100 person -years; 95% CI: 2.3-3.5 per 100 person -years). DCM penetrance and age at DCM onset was different according to underlying gene group (log -rank P = 0.015 and P <0.01, respectively). In a multivariable model excluding CMR parameters, independent predictors of DCM development were: older age (HR per 1 -year increase: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.0-1.04), an abnormal electrocardiogram (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.38-3.29); presence of variants in motor sarcomeric genes (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.05-3.50); lower left ventricular ejection fraction (HR per 1% increase: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and larger left ventricular end -diastolic diameter (HR per 1 -mm increase: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.06-1.13). Multivariable analysis in individuals with cardiac magnetic resonance and late gadolinium enhancement assessment (n = 360, 45%) identi fied late gadolinium enhancement as an additional independent predictor of DCM development (HR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.43-4.45). CONCLUSIONS Following a first negative screening, approximately 11% of G+ relatives developed DCM during a median follow-up of 3 years. Older age, an abnormal electrocardiogram, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, increased left ventricular end -diastolic diameter, motor sarcomeric genetic variants, and late gadolinium enhancement are associated with a higher risk of developing DCM. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2024;83:1640 -1651) (c) 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC -ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Building and surroundings: thermal coupling

Energy building performance can be different according to outdoor conditions or urban environment, at the same time that this last assess, buildings are also affected by the building envelope, as obvious consequence of the thermal and Aeraulic coupling existing between the indoor and outdoor conditions in buildings. Thus, in this coupling is fundamental to typify the transmission phenomenon through the building envelope. Doing this, it is possible to estimate transmission heating losses and gains and also the superficial temperatures of the envelope. In order to assess the transient behaviour of the building envelope it is necessary to develop a predictive model, precise enough, to be integrated in a simulating tool. Detailed and multidimensional models, based in numerical methods, like Finite Element Method (FEM), has a high precision, but its complexity imply resources consumption and computational time, too high to be integrated in these kind of tools. On the contrary, simplified methods are good enough because they are simple and fast, with an acceptable precision in almost all the situations. The present work is focused: (a) Firstly, to develop a simplified RC-network model. The aim of the model is to characterize and to implement with precision the behaviour of a wall in a simulating software tool based on urban environment, (b) secondly, to express in form of equivalences, the different indoor and outdoor excitations that can exist in the building envelope, and (c) finally, to calibrate the simplified model through its characteristic parameters. For a homogeneous wall and two types of excitations, it has been obtained the characteristic parameters of the model that represent the better adjustment to the real wall. In a first step, it has been obtained the results of the proposal model and a reference model based on FEM, in terms of wall external surface heat flow. Results of both models have been compared, and the resultant characteristic parameters of the model have been obtained through an optimisation method. Results for the wall and for the excitations under analysis show: (1) Characteristic longitude ec, or capacitive node position, it is determined according to a certain value of Fo equal to 2 for both excitations, this value remains constant in time, (2) useful wall thickness, on the contrary, vary as time function, according to a logarithmic law for both excitations, although this function is different depending on the considered excitation, (3) using a constant excitation, coefficients from the previous logarithmic function depends on the range of the excitation, while these are practically independent of the lineal excitation gradient