Desarrollo de una aplicación informática para aprender clínica y producción equina jugando al Trivial

Introducción/objetivos: esta iniciativa surge de la puesta en común de experiencias docentes en las I Jornadas de Innovación Docente en Medicina y Cirugía Animal (Córdoba, 2011). Allí se presentaron algunas actividades que utilizan el éxito de metodologías basadas en concursos y competiciones, que consiguen que los alumnos las adopten fácilmente como métodos de aprendizaje.La actividad propuesta se basa en el popular juego TRIVIAL™ en el que equipos de alumnos contestan cuestiones de una batería de preguntas sobre veterinaria equina. Las preguntas están agrupadas por sistemas/especialidades.Se persigue crear un sistema de aprendizaje y autoevaluación formativa, que permita la evaluación de conocimientos adaptados al nivel de los alumnos de S~ del Grado en Veterinaria. Además de autoevaluar sus propios conocimientos sin la presión de un examen formal, el alumno practica la dinámica de grupo. La competitividad generada entre equipos estimula el trabajo individual y de grupo (...

Human Resource Flexibility as a Mediating Variable Between High Performance Work Systems and Performance

Much of the human resource management literature has demonstrated the impact of high performance work systems (HPWS) on organizational performance. A new generation of studies is emerging in this literature that recommends the inclusion of mediating variables between HPWS and organizational performance. The increasing rate of dynamism in competitive environments suggests that measures of employee adaptability should be included as a mechanism that may explain the relevance of HPWS to firm competitiveness. On a sample of 226 Spanish firms, the study’s results confirm that HPWS influences performance through its impact on the firm’s human resource (HR) flexibility

Molecular characterization of multiresistant Escherichia coli producing or not extended-spectrum beta-lactamases

Background: The prevalence and type of plasmids, resistance genes and integrons carried by two collections of multiresistant E. coli producing or not extended-spectrum beta-lactamases have been compared. Rep-PCR was used to determine the clonal relationship of the organisms. Plasmids were classified according to their incompatibility. Class 1 and Class 2 integrons and antibiotic resistance genes were analysed by PCR and sequencing. Results: Both collections of organisms contained a large diversity of unrelated strains with some clones distributed in both groups of isolates. Large plasmids were identified in the two groups of organisms. Plasmids with replicons repK and repColE were more frequent among ESBL-producing isolates, while repFIA, repFII and repA/C replicons were more frequent in isolates lacking ESBL. Conjugative plasmids with repK and repA/C replicons coded for CTX-M-14 and CMY-2 beta-lactamases, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of class 1 and class 2 integrons among multiresistant E. coli producing or not ESBL, and dfrA17-ant(3[prime][prime])-Ie was the cassette arrangement most commonly found. Conclusions: In the concrete temporal and geographical context of this study, multiresistant E. coli producing ESBL or other mechanisms of resistance were largely clonally diverse and present some differences in the types of harboured plasmids. Still, some clones were found in both ESBL-producing and --lacking isolates

EFFECT OF SOLVENT-TEMPERATURE EXTRACTION CONDITIONS ON THE INITIAL ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT OF MUITLE EXTRACTS AND THEIR DECAY UPON STORAGE AT DIFFERENT pH

"The effect of solvent and extraction temperature on the initial antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC) of Muitle (Justicia spicigera) extracts and their decay upon storage at dierent pH values was studied. Extraction with aqueous sol

Outcome of radiosurgery treatment with a linear accelerator in patients with trigeminal neuralgia

Introduction: An overview of the effectiveness of radiosurgery in patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia with an analysis of potential predictors of good outcome. Methods: All patients treated with linear accelerator radiosurgery between 2004 and 2011 were analysed. A dose of 60 Gy dose was administered 1 to 2 mm from the root entry zone with a maximum isodose of 20% delivered to the brainstem. Clinical results for pain control and any side effects were analysed at 12 and 36 months (BNI score). Results: The study included 71 patients (mean follow-up 50.5 months). Pain improvement at 12 months was observed in 68.11% of the total (28.98% with BNI score I–II; 39.12% with BNI score III) and at 36 months in 58.21% (23.88% BNI score I–II; 34.32% BNI score III). Average recovery time was 3.69 months and the relapse rate was 44.68%. Patients with typical pain displayed statistically significant differences in improvement rates at 12 and at 36 months (P<.047 and P<.002). Onset of improvement was analysed using Kaplan–Meyer plots. Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with typical and atypical pain at 36 months (P<.012) in Kaplan–Meyer plots. Side effects were recorded in 15 patients (20.89%), including 9 cases of facial numbness (13.43%); only 2 cases were clinically relevant (2.98%). Conclusion: According to our results, radiosurgery is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, with few side effects. Typical pain seems to be a good predictor of pain relief. Resumen: Introducción: Comprobación de la efectividad de la radiocirugía en pacientes diagnosticados de neuralgia del V par y análisis de posibles factores predictores. Métodos: Se analizaron todos los pacientes entre 2004 y 2011 tratados mediante radiocirugía con acelerador lineal. Se administraron dosis de 60 Gy a 1-2 mm de la entrada del nervio con isodosis de 20% máxima sobre el tronco. Se analizaron los resultados clínicos de control del dolor y efectos secundarios a los 12 y 36 meses (escala BNI). Resultados: Se incluyó a 71 pacientes en el estudio (seguimiento medio 50,50 m). La mejoría del dolor a los 12 meses fue del 68,11% (28,98% BNI score I-II; 39,12% BNI score III y a los 36 meses del 58,21% (23,88% BNI score I-II; 34,32% BNI score III). El tiempo medio de mejoría fue de 3,69 meses y la tasa de reincidencia tras mejoría del 44,68%. Se aprecian diferencias estadísticas en la mejoría para pacientes con dolores típicos a los 12 y 36 meses (p < 0,047 y p < 0,002). Se analiza el inicio de la mejoría mediante gráficas de Kaplan-Meyer. En el análisis en función de variables se obtuvo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre dolores típicos y atípicos a los 36 meses (p < 0,012). En 15 pacientes se registraron efectos secundarios (20,89%), 9 de ellos por adormecimiento facial (13,43%) y solo 2 con relevancia clínica (2,98%). Conclusiones: De acuerdo con nuestra experiencia, la radiocirugía es un tratamiento eficaz de la neuralgia del trigémino, con escasos efectos secundarios. El dolor típico parece un factor de buen pronóstico para la mejoría del dolor. Keywords: Trigeminal neuralgia, Radiosurgery, Linear accelerator, Typical pain, Neurosurgery, Facial numbness, Palabras clave: Neuralgia del trigémino, Radiocirugía, Acelerador lineal, Dolor típico, Neurocirugía, Adormecimiento facia

Biotechnology approaches to overcome biotic and abiotic stress constraints in legumes

Biotic and abiotic stresses cause significant yield losses in legumes and can significantly affect their productivity. Biotechnology tools such as marker-assisted breeding, tissue culture, in vitro mutagenesis and genetic transformation can contribute to solve or reduce some of these constraints. However, only limited success has been achieved so far. The emergence of “omic” technologies and the establishment of model legume plants such as Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus are promising strategies for understanding the molecular genetic basis of stress resistance, which is an important bottleneck for molecular breeding. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the expression of stress-related genes is a fundamental issue in plant biology and will be necessary for the genetic improvement of legumes. In this review, we describe the current status of biotechnology approaches in relation to biotic and abiotic stresses in legumes and how these useful tools could be used to improve resistance to important constraints affecting legume crops.E. Prats is funded by an European Marie Curie Reintegration Grant, N. Rispail by (FP5) Eufaba project. Our work in this area is supported by Spanish CICYT project AGL-2002-03248 and European Union project FP6-2002-FOOD-1-506223. K. Singh’s work in this area is supported in part by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) in Australia.Peer reviewe