La crianza de abejas como estrategia de diversificación: análisis de las cadenas de miel en El Tuma-La Dalia

Este estudio apunta a identificar los principales obstáculos que enfrentan los productores y comercializadores locales de miel para participar o mejorar su participación en las cadenas de comercialización, con el fin de promover procesos de negociación y acuerdos (convenios) que mejoren la competitividad de la cadena en general y la inserción de los productores y productoras en particular. En términos específicos el objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar a los actuales productores (mujeres y hombres) de miel, así como definir los requisitos para insertarse en esta actividad y el valor agregado que generan. Así mismo busca identificar los acuerdos que median las relaciones entre productores, proveedores y compradores

Bioavailability and biotransformation of linolenic acid from basil seed oil as a novel source of omega-3 fatty acids tested on a rat experimental model

Basil is an aromatic herb with a high concentration of bioactive compounds. The oil extracted from its seeds is a good source of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and also provides substantial amounts of linoleic acid (LA). This study aimed to test the bioavailability of the oil derived from basil seeds and its effects on different physiological parameters using 7–15% dietary inclusion levels. Furthermore, the assimilation of LA and ALA and their transformation in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) have been studied. Digestive utilization of total fat from basil seed oil (BSO) was high and similar to that of olive oil used as a control. Consumption of BSO resulted in increased LA and ALA levels of the plasma, liver, and erythrocyte membrane. In addition, the transformation of LA to arachidonic acid (ARA) was decreased by the high dietary intake of ALA which redirected the pathway of the Δ-6 desaturase enzyme towards the transformation of ALA into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). No alterations of hematological and plasma biochemical parameters were found for the 7 and 10% dietary inclusion levels of BSO, whereas a decrease in the platelet count and an increase in total- and HDL-cholesterol as well as plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were found for a 15% BSO dose. In conclusion, BSO is a good source of ALA to be transformed into EPA and decrease the precursor of the pro-inflammatory molecule ARA. This effect on the levels of EPA in different tissues offers potential for its use as a dietary supplement, novel functional food, or a constituent of nutraceutical formulations to treat different pathologies.Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PTQ-17-09172 RTC-2017-6540-1 RTI2018-100934-B-I00 RTC2019-006870-1Andalusian Government AGR145 CTS164 CTS-10

Novel insights and mechanisms of diet-induced obesity: Mid-term versus long-term effects on hepatic transcriptome and antioxidant capacity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121746Aims The study of molecular mechanisms related to obesity and associated pathologies like type 2-diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease requires animal experimental models in which the type of obesogenic diet and length of the experimental period to induce obesity deeply affect the metabolic alterations. Therefore, this study aimed to test the influence of aging along a rat model of diet-induced obesity in gene expression of the hepatic transcriptome. Main methods A high-fat/high-fructose diet to induce obesity was used. Mid- (13 weeks) and long-term (21 weeks) periods were established. Caloric intake, bodyweight, hepatic fat, fatty acid profile, histological changes, antioxidant activity, and complete transcriptome were analyzed. Key findings Excess bodyweight, hepatic steatosis and altered lipid histology, modifications in liver antioxidant activity, and dysregulated expression of transcripts related to cell structure, glucose & lipid metabolism, antioxidant & detoxifying capacity were found. Modifications in obese and control rats were accounted for by the different lengths of the experimental period studied. Significance Main mechanisms of hepatic fat accumulation were de novo lipogenesis or altered fatty acid catabolism for mid- or long-term study, respectively. Therefore, the choice of obesity-induction length is a key factor in the model of obesity used as a control for each specific experimental design.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the European Union through projects B-AGR-662-UGR20, RTI-2018-100934-B-I00, and the FEDER program, respectivel

Antitumor Effect of the Ethanolic Extract from Seeds of Euphorbia lathyris in Colorectal Cancer

The seeds of Euphorbia lathyris have been used in traditional medicine to treat various medical conditions. However, neither all of their active biocompounds nor the molecular mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects have been described. A new ethanolic extract of defatted flour from mature seeds of Euphorbia lathyris showed a high total polyphenol content and significant antioxidant activity. Chromatographic analysis showed that esculetin, euphorbetin, gaultherin, and kaempferol-3-rutinoside were the most abundant polyphenolic bioactive compounds. Antiproliferative assays showed a high and selective antitumor activity against colon cancer cell lines (T84 and HCT-15). In addition, a significant antiproliferative activity against glioblastoma multiforme cells was also demonstrated. Its mechanism of action to induce cell death was mediated by the overexpression of caspases 9, 3, and 8, and by activation of autophagy. Interestingly, a reduction in the migration capacity of colon cancer cells and a significant antiangiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells were also demonstrated. Finally, the extract significantly reduced the subpopulations of cancer stem cells. This extract could be the basis to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of colon cancer, although further experiments will be necessary to determine its in vivo effects.Granada University (project PSE/17/002), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (project RTC-2017-6540-1) and by the CTS-107 and AGR145 Groups

La mentoría en la Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de la Universidad de Sevilla

XVIII Congreso Universitario de Innovación Educativa en las Enseñanzas Técnicas. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales y de Telecomunicación. Universidad de Cantabria : Santander, 6 a 9 de julio de 2010Con el fin de integrar a los alumnos de nuevo ingreso, la Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de la Universidad de Sevilla ha puesto en marcha en el curso 2008-09 un Plan de Acción Tutorial (EUPAT) basado en una red en la que participan el profesorado tutor, alumnado mentor y alumnado tutorizado. En el presente trabajo se resumirá el proceso de formación del alumnado mentor y el trabajo desarrollado por el mismo dentro del Plan de Acción Tutorial. Así mismo, se analizarán las dificultades encontradas durante el transcurso de su formación y realización de la labor de mentoría y el nivel de satisfacción alcanzado. Finalmente, se hará una reflexión sobre las debilidades y los puntos de mejora que se pueden deducir del desarrollo hasta el momento de esta acción tutorialIn order to integrate new students, the Polytechnic School of the University of Seville has launched in the year 2008-09 an Tutorial Action Plan (EUPAT) based on a network involving teachers, mentor students and tutored students. In this paper we resume the formation of mentor students and work developed by the same within the Tutorial Action Plan. Also, analyzing the difficulties encountered during the course of their training and carrying out the work of mentoring and the satisfaction level achieved. Finally, we will reflect on the weaknesses and areas for improvement that can be deducted from the development until the time of this action tutorial

Expansion of Signal Transduction Pathways in Fungi by Extensive Genome Duplication

Plants and fungi use light and other signals to regulate development, growth, and metabolism. The fruiting bodies of the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus are single cells that react to environmental cues, including light, but the mechanisms are largely unknown [1]. The related fungus Mucor circinelloides is an opportunistic human pathogen that changes its mode of growth upon receipt of signals from the environment to facilitate pathogenesis [2]. Understanding how these organisms respond to environmental cues should provide insights into the mechanisms of sensory perception and signal transduction by a single eukaryotic cell, and their role in pathogenesis. We sequenced the genomes of P. blakesleeanus and M. circinelloides and show that they have been shaped by an extensive genome duplication or, most likely, a whole-genome duplication (WGD), which is rarely observed in fungi [3–6]. We show that the genome duplication has expanded gene families, including those involved in signal transduction, and that duplicated genes have specialized, as evidenced by differences in their regulation by light. The transcriptional response to light varies with the developmental stage and is still observed in a photoreceptor mutant of P. blakesleeanus. A phototropic mutant of P. blakesleeanus with a heterozygous mutation in the photoreceptor gene madA demonstrates that photosensor dosage is important for the magnitude of signal transduction. We conclude that the genome duplication provided the means to improve signal transduction for enhanced perception of environmental signals. Our results will help to understand the role of genome dynamics in the evolution of sensory perception in eukaryotes.Office of Science (USA) DE-AC02-05CH11231Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2005-25029-E , BIO2015-67148-RJunta de Andalucía P06-CVI-0165

Protagonismo del mentor en una actividad tutorial de carácter multidisciplinar en Ingeniería

XIX Congreso Universitario de Innovación Educativa en las Enseñanzas Técnicas : Barcelona, 6 a 8 de julio de 2011En la Escuela Politécnica Superior (EPS) de la Universidad de Sevilla se ha trabajado, por tercer curso consecutivo, en un Plan de Acción Tutorial desarrollado por 16 profesores tutores y 20 alumnos mentores de 5 titulaciones de Ingeniería Técnica. El objetivo perseguido en este curso ha sido potenciar actividades que han surgido del propio albedrío de los alumnos mentores, lo que ha dado como resultado la realización de una serie de actividades de mentoría motivadas y dirigidas desde el principio por los alumnos mentores. La actividad conjunta de todos ellos ha llevado a organizar unos subgrupos de mentorías en función de determinadas características del alumnado de primer curso (deportistas, trabajadores, becarios de otras universidades…), a realizar reuniones presenciales de mentores para puesta a punto de estas actividades así como de puesta al día de los resultados que se iban consiguiendo, además de organizar una segunda captación de mentorizados tras las notas del primer cuatrimestre, y la protagonización de una Jornada de Mentoría al final del curso.A third edition with 16 tutorial lecturers and 20 tutorial students from five different degrees (Technical Engineering of the Polytechnical School, EPS, at University of Seville) in a Tutorial Plan development, has been prepared. During the present year, the main characteristic has been a serial of mentoring actions motivated and directed by these mentors. This activity has been organized considering several subgroups of mentoring depending on special characteristics in first year students (sportsplayers, workers, grant holders from other universities…), moreover the organization of a second recruiting of new students after the first term marks, updating meetings for mentors only, and to be main figures in a Congress on Mentoring at the end of the academic year

MOOC como herramienta para el aprendizaje de contenidos específicos en el área de la Fisiología

Teniendo en cuenta que el aprendizaje integral y la implementación de las TICs están cada vez más integradas en el sistema educativo, la creación de “cápsulas educativas”-MOOCs son una herramienta creativa que puede ayudar al alumnado en la asimilación de los conocimientos. Además, al ser una herramienta de duración corta les obliga resumir la información, destacar la más importante y ser capaces de trasmitirla. Para ello, el objetivo principal de esta propuesta de innovación docente ha sido elaborar una nueva herramienta docente y aplicarla en el área de Fisiología, en concreto en la asignatura de Fisiología Celular y Humana del Grado en Farmacia. Para ello se formaron diferentes grupos de estudiantes a los que les asignó una temática relacionada con el área de Fisiología y dos tutores (participantes en el equipo de investigación) que los han acompañado en la creación de MOOC. Por otro lado, se creó el grupo de evaluadores externos, responsables para la evaluación de la capsula educativa definitiva. Para facilitar el desarrollo del proyecto, antes del comienzo del proyecto se elaboraron y se consensuaron las rúbricas necesarias para evaluar el proceso de la creación de MOOC por parte de los tutores y evaluadores. La comunicación entre los grupos de estudiantes y de los miembros del equipo de investigación se ha realizado usando el correo electrónico y con documentos compartidos en la nube de la UGR. Las diferentes tutorías entre los tutores asignados y los grupos de los alumnos, se han realizado por Google Meet. La nota final de las capsulas educativas, ha sido resultado de la interacción tanto del equipo de tutores como de evaluadores externos. Al final del proceso se ha hecho una exposición de las capsulas educativas en la clase con los demás compañeros. Al finalizar el proceso, se ha utilizado la plataforma de Google Forms para recibir las opiniones de los estudiantes y recoger sus propuestas. Según las opiniones manifestadas, la iniciativa de aplicar esta herramienta en el área de Fisiología ha recibido muy buenas críticas sobre todo sobre la innovación de la propuesta. El alumnado por otro lado destacó que le gustaría encontrar esta herramienta en otras asignaturas. Sin embargo, también mencionaron que les gustaría saber algo más sobre aplicaciones disponibles para elaborar los videos y poder ser aún más creativos. Por último, se usará la plataforma zenodo para la difusión y divulgación de los trabajos creados para que los demás estudiantes puedan consultarlos. Los resultados de esta propuesta se publicarán en congresos docentes nacionales e internacionales con el objetivo de compartir la experiencia con otros docentes e intentar implementar esta herramienta en asignaturas de áreas afines.Considering that comprehensive learning and the implementation of ICTs are increasingly integrated into the educational system, the creation of "educational capsules"-MOOCs are a creative tool that can help students assimilate knowledge. In addition, having a limited duration forces them to summarize the information, highlight the most important and be able to transmit it. For this, the main objective of this teaching proposal was the development of a new teaching tool and apply it in Physiology, specifically in the subject of Cellular and Human Physiology of the Degree in Pharmacy. For this, different groups of students were formed and a specific subject was assigned to them, related to the area of Physiology. Moreover, two tutors (member of the research team) were assigned to each group and have accompanied them in the creation of MOOCs. On the other hand, the group of external evaluators, responsible for the evaluation of the educational capsule, was created. To facilitate the development of the project, prior to the beginning of the project, the necessary rubrics were prepared and discussed between the different members, to be able to evaluate the process of creating MOOCs by both the tutors and evaluators. Communication between the student groups and the members of the research team was maintained using emails and documents were shared in the UGR cloud. The meetings between the assigned tutors and the student groups have been carried out through Google Meet. The grade of the educational capsules has resulted as the median of tutors as well the external evaluators. Once created, MOOCs were presented in the rest of the classroom with the other classmates. At the end of the process, the Google Forms platform has been used to fulfil a questionnaire and collect the opinions of the students and collect their proposals for future improvements. According to the opinions expressed, the initiative to apply this tool in the Physiology area has received very good reviews by the students, especially regarding the innovation of the proposal. The students, on the other hand, highlighted that they would like to be able to use this tool in other subjects of their carreer. However, they also mentioned that they would like to know more about available applications to make videos, a fact that would help them be even more creative. Finally, the zenodo platform will be used for the dissemination of the works created so that other students can consult them. The results of this proposal will be published in national and international teaching conferences with the aim of sharing the experience with other teachers and trying to implement this tool in subjects in related areas.Universidad de Granad

Effect of viral storm in patients admitted to intensive care units with severe COVID-19 in Spain: a multicentre, prospective, cohort study

Background: The contribution of the virus to the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate associations between viral RNA load in plasma and host response, complications, and deaths in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Methods: We did a prospective cohort study across 23 hospitals in Spain. We included patients aged 18 years or older with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to an intensive care unit between March 16, 2020, and Feb 27, 2021. RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid region 1 (N1) was quantified in plasma samples collected from patients in the first 48 h following admission, using digital PCR. Patients were grouped on the basis of N1 quantity: VIR-N1-Zero ([removed]2747 N1 copies per mL). The primary outcome was all-cause death within 90 days after admission. We evaluated odds ratios (ORs) for the primary outcome between groups using a logistic regression analysis. Findings: 1068 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 117 had insufficient plasma samples and 115 had key information missing. 836 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 403 (48%) were in the VIR-N1-Low group, 283 (34%) were in the VIR-N1-Storm group, and 150 (18%) were in the VIR-N1-Zero group. Overall, patients in the VIR-N1-Storm group had the most severe disease: 266 (94%) of 283 patients received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 116 (41%) developed acute kidney injury, 180 (65%) had secondary infections, and 148 (52%) died within 90 days. Patients in the VIR-N1-Zero group had the least severe disease: 81 (54%) of 150 received IMV, 34 (23%) developed acute kidney injury, 47 (32%) had secondary infections, and 26 (17%) died within 90 days (OR for death 0·30, 95% CI 0·16–0·55; p<0·0001, compared with the VIR-N1-Storm group). 106 (26%) of 403 patients in the VIR-N1-Low group died within 90 days (OR for death 0·39, 95% CI 0·26–0·57; p[removed]11 página

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-care and health condition of the older adults. CUIDAMOS+75. A mixed methods study protocol

AimsTo assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health condition of people ≥75 years of age and on their family caregivers in Spain.DesignMulticentric, mixed method concurrent study.MethodsThis work, which will be conducted within the primary care setting in 11 administrative regions of Spain, will include three coordinated studies with different methodologies. The first is a population-based cohort study that will use real-life data to analyze the rates and evolution of health needs, care provision, and services utilization before, during, and after the pandemic. The second is a prospective cohort study with 18 months of follow-up that will evaluate the impact of COVID-19 disease on mortality, frailty, functional and cognitive capacity, and quality of life of the participants. Finally, the third will be a qualitative study with a critical social approach to understand and interpret the social, political, and economic dimensions associated with the use of health services during the pandemic. We have followed the SPIRIT Checklist to address trial protocol and related documents. This research is being funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III since 2021 and was approved by its ethics committee (June 2022).DiscussionThe study findings will reveal the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the older adults and their caregivers. This information will serve policymakers to adapt health policies to the needs of this population in situations of maximum stress, such as that produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.Trial RegistrationIdentifier: NCT05249868 [ClinicalTrials.gov]