Applicability of the droplet vitrification method to olive somatic embryos

Somatic embryos of olive have been successfully cryopreserved using the droplet-vitrification method on aluminium foil strips (1) after dehydration in PVS2 for 30 min. Although acceptable recovery rates have been obtained (2) and cultures morphology apparently did not change, the influence of this cryopreservation protocol on the somatic embryogenesis process is unknown. The aim of this investigation was to assess the influence of the droplet-vitrification method on the different phases of somatic embryogenesis and to evaluate its applicability to somatic embryos of different genotypes. The results obtained revealed that the genotype plays a key role in the maintenance and maturation phases and determines the regeneration potential of the embryogenic lines. Cryopreservation only affected some specific aspects, such as the proliferation capacity in maintenance medium, germination of newly developed embryos and length of the shoots obtained. Nevertheless, a statistically significant interaction between genotype and cryopreservation was appreciated in different parameters related to cultures proliferation. The influence of cryopreservation on cultures morphology during the maturation phase and embryo germination was also genotype-dependent. Thus, the regeneration potential was not significantly affected by cryopreservation and the quality of the plantlets obtained was similar in both types of cultures, although slightly longer shoots were obtained in plants derived from cryopreserved explants. In relation to the applicability of the droplet-vitrification method to olive somatic embryos of different origin, response to cryopreservation significantly varied depending of the genotype, with recovery rates ranging from 0 to 60%. The appearance of cultures established from frozen somatic embryos was similar to that of the corresponding controls. In conclusion, our investigations show that droplet-vitrification is a reliable procedure for preserving the viability, embryogenic competence and regeneration capacity of olive somatic embryos. Nevertheless, additional optimization of this method is required in order to improve the recovery rates obtained in some of the genotypes tested. (1) Panis B, Piette B & Swennen R (2005) Plant Sci. 168, 45-55. (2) Sánchez-Romero C & Bradaï F (2013) in Abstract Book X Reunión SECIVTV, pp 56.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Cancer Stem Cells as a Result of a Reprogramming-Like Mechanism

Open Access: under CC BY-NCSA 3.0 license.Research in our groups is partially supported by FEDER and by MICINN (SAF2009-08803 to ISG), by Junta de Castilla y León (Proyecto Biomedicina 2009-2010 to ISG, and Proyecto Biomedicina 2010-2011 to CVD), by MEC OncoBIO Consolider-Ingenio 2010 (Ref. CSD2007- 0017) to ISG, by NIH grant (R01 CA109335-04A1) to ISG, by Sandra Ibarra Foundation to ISG, and by Group of Excellence Grant (GR15) from Junta de Castilla y Leon to ISG and JJC.Peer reviewe

Modelo de gestión de Educación Continua para Instituciones de Educación Superior

El presente trabajo se realiza al vislumbrar la no existencia de un modelo para la gestión de la Educación Continua que permita su adaptación a las diferentes características de las Instituciones de Educación Superior, siendo que los modelos existentes f

Can we influence the neurological development and hair cortisol concentration of offspring by reducing the stress of the mother during pregnancy? A randomized controlled trial

Producción CientíficaThe objective was to evaluate the effects of a stress management cognitive behavioural therapy followed during pregnancy on subsequent childhood on hair cortisol at birth and on neurodevelopment and Hair Cortisol Concentrations (HCC) at 6 months of age. The study sample included 48 pregnant women, divided into two groups: 24 women in the Therapy Group (TG) and 24 women who received standard pregnancy care (control group (CG); CG). To test the therapy efficacy, an evaluation of the HCC and psychological stress, psychopathological symptomatology and resilience was conducted before and after the treatment. The level of cortisol in their hair was obtained during pregnancy and that of their babies at birth. Six months after birth, a cortisol sample was taken from the hair and the babies' neurodevelopment was evaluated based on a Bayley-III test. The TG presented reductions in psychological stress and psychopathological symptomatology after treatment. On the other hand, the CG increased their cortisol concentrations between the pre and post intervention, remaining stable in the TG. Moreover, results showed that TG babies had lower cortisol concentrations at birth and obtained significantly higher cognitive and motor development scores at 6 months. These findings support that providing psychological care to pregnant women may not only have a benefit on these women's mental state, but may also benefit the neurodevelopment of their offspring.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, (programa FPU, referencia 18/00617

Propuesta de evaluación del Trabajo Fin de Grado de Biología basada en competencias

La formación del profesorado para las tareas de evaluación y tutorización de los Trabajos Fin de Grado (TFG) constituye uno de los factores importantes a tener en cuenta para su exitosa implantación. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo es presentar las experiencias de formación que se están desarrollando en la Universidad de Málaga para apoyar al profesorado en estas tareas, mostrando su diseño y los resultados obtenidos. Se han impartido tres ediciones de un curso sobre evaluación y tutorización de los TFG, con la participación de 127 profesores de dieciséis Facultades diferentes, que imparten TFG en más de 20 Titulaciones, habiéndose realizado 23 trabajos diferentes relacionados con la temática de los cursos. Abstract Teacher training for the tasks of assessment and tutoring is one of the key factors to consider for a successful implementation of the Final Year Proyect (FYP). The aim of this paper is to present the Universidad de Málaga teacher training experiences to support the teachers for these tasks, showing its design and results obtained with them. Three courses have been held on evaluation and tutoring of FYP. One hundred and twenty seven teachers from 16 different Faculties, who teach FYP in more than 20 official Degrees, have participated. Twenty-three reports, related with the aim of the course, have been developed by the participants.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Augmented Reality to Strengthen Learning in the Natural Sciences Subject

La educación se enfrenta constantemente a la evolución tecnológica, debido a ello, en este artículo se planteó en qué medida favorece la realidad aumentada para consolidar los conocimientos, teniendo como objetivo principal el diseño de un prototipo utilizando realidad aumentada con marcadores como tecnología emergente para fortalecer el aprendizaje en la asignatura de Ciencias Naturales con la finalidad de implementarlo y evaluar su efectividad. Para ello, se utilizó la metodología de enfoque cuantitativo mediante la utilización de la revisión bibliográfica el cual permite tener una visión más amplia sobre las teorías de diversos autores acerca del problema de investigación, así mismo, se implementó un cuestionario de 8 preguntas dirigidas al grupo focal conformado por 20 estudiantes, de modo que se logró obtener resultados positivos debido a que captó el interés gracias a que es considerada una tecnología innovadora para reforzar los contenidos impartidos en clases, concluyendo que la realidad aumentada con marcadores es efectiva para el aprendizaje de los estudiantes.Education is constantly facing technological evolution, therefore, in this article it was proposed to what extent augmented reality favors the consolidation of knowledge, having as main objective the design of a prototype using augmented reality with markers as an emerging technology to strengthen learning in the subject of Natural Sciences in order to implement it and evaluate its effectiveness. For this, the methodology of quantitative approach was used through the use of literature review which allows to have a broader view on the theories of various authors about the research problem, likewise, a questionnaire of 8 questions addressed to the focus group of 20 students was implemented, so that positive results were achieved because it captured the interest because it is considered an innovative technology to reinforce the content taught in classes, concluding that augmented reality with markers is effective for student learning

Taylor-made aerogels through a freeze-drying process: economic assessment

Polymer aerogels reinforced with carbon nanofibers and alumina aerogels reinforced with hydroxyethyl-cellulose have been successfully synthesized by means of a pilot plant freeze-drying process. Their main physicochemical properties have been measured and compared, and their production costs have been computed. The SWOT matrix of the process has been determined from internal and external analyses, revealing the interest of these products as building insulation materials and the need of establishing a detailed economic analysis. A homemade Excel-VBA application was designed in order to determine the economic parameters of the freeze-drying process. As a consequence of the total economic and physicochemical analysis, it was concluded that the production of aerogels reinforced with hydroxyethyl-cellulose could only be recommended if they are used as an insulating material in buildings with higher thermal stability requirements.Se han sintetizado con éxito aerogeles poliméricos reforzados con nanofibras de carbono y aerogeles de alúmina reforzados con hidroxietilcelulosa mediante un proceso de liofilización en planta piloto. Se han medido y comparado sus principales propiedades fisicoquímicas y se han calculado sus costes de producción. La matriz DAFO del proceso se ha determinado a partir de análisis internos y externos, revelando el interés de estos productos como materiales aislantes para la construcción y la necesidad de establecer un análisis económico detallado. Se diseñó una aplicación Excel-VBA casera para determinar los parámetros económicos del proceso de liofilización. Como consecuencia del análisis económico y fisicoquímico tota