La comprensión lectora como tarea previa a la descripción escrita en el aprendizaje de las ciencias

El estudio muestra los resultados de una experiencia desarrollada con estudiantes de Secundaria, centrada en la comprensión lectora, como tarea previa para la descripción escrita de animales y siguiendo un esquema previamente estipulado y trabajado con el alumnado. De este modo, se pretende favorecer la comprensión lectora, al tener la misma un sesgo implementado por su funcionalidad, al tiempo de desarrollar las habilidades cognitivo-lingüísticas para la descripción y facilitar la evolución de los esquemas de conocimiento sobre los animales. Se trata de una tarea compleja donde están involucradas las materias de Lengua y Ciencias de la Naturaleza, desarrollándose de modo sincrónico las competencias lingüística y científica.The study shows the results of an experiment carried out with secondary students focused on reading comprehension, as a prerequisite for the written description of animals, following a previously determined schedule and worked with the students. Thus, it aims to encourage reading, to have the same bias implemented by its functionality, while developing the cognitive-linguistic skills to describe and facilitate the development of schemes of knowledge about animals. It is a complex task where subjects are involved Language and Natural Sciences, synchronously developing linguistic and scientific skills.Universidad de Granada. Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias ExperimentalesGrupo de Investigación: Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales y de la Sostenibilidad (HUM613

Valorization of discarded red beetroot through the recovery of bioactive compounds and the production of pectin by surfactant-assisted microwave extraction

Producción CientíficaDiscarded red beetroot (DRB) is an organic waste generated in the food industry. This study is focused on the valorization of DRB through the recovery of bioactive compounds. The characterization of the DRB juice confirmed a higher content of antioxidants (DPPH 504 ± 24 μmol TE/L, FRAP 10920 ± 440 μmol TE/L, ABTS 22012 ± 592 μmol TE/L), phenolic compounds (1789 ± 56 mg GAE/L), flavonoids (471 ± 17 mg CE/L) and betalains (1426 ± 24 mg/L) than commercial juices. DRB pomace contains pectin that was recovered by microwave extraction aided by a surfactant (polyethylene glycol, PEG4000). Conditions (temperature, time and surfactant concentration) for the extraction of galacturonic acid (GalA) or pectooligosaccharides (POS) were optimized by a central composite experimental design. POS were extracted at high temperatures (160 °C, 5.3 min, 8.4 g PEG4000/L, yield of 271.2 g POS/kg dry pomace). In comparison, galacturonic acid extraction was favored at moderate conditions (137 °C, 5 min, 2.5 g PEG4000/L, yield of 120.1 g GalA/kg dry pomace). The characterization of the freeze-dried hydrolysates revealed that the solid obtained under moderate temperature conditions (137 °C) showed a higher GalA content (49.5%) and lower neutral sugars (11.4%), as GalA degrades at lower temperatures than pentoses. The recovered pectin can be considered high-methoxyl pectin, as the degree of esterification was higher than 50%. FTIR spectra of the freeze-dried hydrolysates showed functional groups consistent with pectin. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis revealed the presence of oligosaccharides of hexoses and pentoses with different structures and degrees of polymerization. Thus, DRB, a low-value vegetable waste, can be converted into high-value-added bioproducts in a biorefinery framework.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (proyect PID2020-115110RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)Junta de Castilla y León (UIC 320, VAG028G19, CLU-2017-09) and grant (REF EDU/875/2021

Enhancement of industrial pectin production from sugar beet pulp by the integration of surfactants in ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by diafiltration/ultrafiltration

Producción CientíficaTo recover industrial pectin from sugar beet pulp (SBP), a combined surfactant and ultrasound-assisted extrac- tion, followed by a concentration with ultrafiltration/diafiltration membranes is proposed. First, the operation conditions of the extraction were optimized for synthetic (Tween80, PEG4000) and natural (Saponin) surfac- tants. Tween 80 and Saponin provided maximum galacturonic acid (GalA) concentrations (5.5 and 5.8 g/L, respectively) under the best extraction conditions (4 gsurfactant/L, pH = 1, amplitude = 90%, and time = 90 min). The extracted liquid was purified and concentrated through membranes. The final retentate maintained 73% of the initial GalA and eliminated a high percentage of oligosaccharides. Finally, the pectin was precipitated with ethanol, and the precipitate solid contained 57 g GalA/100 g GalA of SBP with a high degree of esterification (DE = 81%) and MW (930 kDa). The pectin yield for the global process was 24.6%. The ultrasound-assisted extraction with surfactants followed by diafiltration/ultrafiltration could become a promising process for the chemical industry, able to provide pectin-enriched products of commercial interest from sugar beet pulp.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Proyecto PID2020–115110RB-I00/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033)Junta de Castilla y León (UIC 320, VAG028G19, CLU-2017–09, CL-EI-2021–07)Junta de Castilla y Leon (postdoctoral grant E-47–2019-0114592

Tensiomyography, sonoelastography, and mechanosensitivity differences between active, latent, and control low back myofascial trigger points: a cross-sectional study

7 p.The myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is considered the most common musculoskeletal condition. The lumbopelvic pain (LPP) is established as one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders. Nevertheless, previous research has not yet studied the contractibility changes by tensiomyography between myofascial trigger point (MTrP) types and normal tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the tensiomyography, sonoelastography, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) differences between the palpation area of active and latent MTrPs with regards to control points in the lumbar erector spinae muscles of subjects with LPP. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. A convenience sample of 60 points (20 active MTrPs, 20 latent MTrPs, and 20 control points) was registered bilaterally in the lumbar erector spinae muscles from subjects with nonspecific LPP. The palpation order of active MTrPs, latent MTrPs, or control points was randomized for each side. The outcome assessors were blinded to the order or point type. The outcome measurements order for each point was sonoelastography manual strain index, tensiomyography, and PPT, separated by 15 minutes. Five contractile objective parameters were: maximal radial displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), sustain time (Ts), delay time (Td), and half-relaxation time (Tr). Tensiomyography parameters did not show any statistically significant difference (P> 0.05) between active MTrPs, latent MTrPs, and control points. Nevertheless, PPT and sonoelastography showed statistically significant differences (P< 0.05) between all point types, except for active and latent MTrPs PPT comparison (P= 0.091). Regarding the active MTrPs, a moderate positive correlation was observed between PPT and Dm (P= 0.047; tB = 0.450). Considering the control points, a moderate positive correlation was shown between sonoelastography and Td (P= 0.044; tB = 0.328). The tensiomyography contractile properties did not seem to show differences, while the sonoelastography and mechanosensitivity presented a higher stiffness and a lower PPT, respectively, between the palpation area of active and latent MTrPs with regards to control points in the lumbar erector spinae muscles of subjects with LPP. Considering the correlations, further research is needed regarding the muscle contractile properties modifications under MPS treatments, especially Dm in active MTrPs and Td in normal sites.S

Novel variant in HHAT as a cause of different sex development with partial gonadal dysgenesis associated with microcephaly, eye defects, and distal phalangeal hypoplasia of both thumbs: Case report

Different sexual development; Minigene studiesDesarrollo sexual diferente; Estudios de minigenesDesenvolupament sexual diferent; Estudis minigènicsThe palmitoylation of the Hedgehog (Hh) family of morphogens, named sonic hedgehog (SHH), desert hedgehog (DHH), and Indian hedgehog (IHH), is crucial for effective short- and long-range signaling. The hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT) attaches the palmitate molecule to the Hh; therefore, variants in HHAT cause a broad spectrum of phenotypes. A missense HHAT novel variant c.1001T>A/p.(Met334Lys) was described in a patient first referred for a 46,XY different sexual development with partial gonadal dysgenesis but with microcephaly, eye defects, and distal phalangeal hypoplasia of both thumbs. The in silico analysis of the variant predicted an affectation of the nearest splicing site. Thus, in vitro minigene studies were carried out, which demonstrated that the variant does not affect the splicing. Subsequent protein in silico studies supported the pathogenicity of the variant, and, in conclusion, this was considered the cause of the patient’s phenotype.This study was partly supported by a grant from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI15/01647 [to MF-C and SB-S])

Ecological evolution in northern Iberia (SW Europe) during the Late Pleistocene through isotopic analysis on ungulate teeth.

During the Late Pleistocene, stadial and interstadial fluctuations affected vegetation, fauna, and human groups that were forced to cope with these pronounced climatic and environmental changes in time and space. These changes were especially abrupt during the Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 3. However, little is still known about the local and regional climatic conditions experienced by hominins in Europe. Here we reconstruct the climatic trends in northern Iberia considering the stable isotopic composition of ungulate skeletal tissues found in archaeological deposits dated between 80 to 15,000 cal BP. The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition preserved in the carbonate fraction of tooth enamel provides a reliable and high-resolution proxy of the food and water consumed by these animals, which is indirectly related to the local vegetation, environment, and climate, allowing us to estimate paleotemperatures and rainfall data. This study presents 44 bovine, equid, and cervid teeth from five archaeological sites in the Vasco-Cantabrian region (El Castillo, El Otero, Axlor, Labeko Koba, Aitzbitarte III) and one in the Mediterranean area (Canyars), where human evidence is attested from the Mousterian to the Magdalenian. The carbon isotope values reflect animals feeding on C3 plants with a mix-feeder diet mainly developed in open environments. However, carbon isotope value ranges point to differentiated ecological niches for equids and bovines, especially during the Aurignacian in the Vasco-Cantabrian region. Temperature estimations based on oxygen isotopic compositions and rainfall obtained from carbon isotopic compositions indicate colder and more arid conditions than nowadays from the Late Mousterian to the Aurignacian. The contemporary Mediterranean site shows slightly lower temperatures related to an arid period when animals mainly graze in open landscapes. In the Vasco-Cantabrian region, during the MIS2, the Gravettian data reflect a landscape opening, whereas the Magdalenian point to warmer conditions but still arid

Risk factors related to oral candidiasis in patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome

Candidiasis is the most frequent mycotic infection of the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of clinical oral candidiasis and Candida albicans yeast in a population diagnosed of primary Sjögren?s syndrome (pSS) and to study the possible factors associated with this infection. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 61 pSS patients (60 women, 1 man, mean age 57.64±13.52) where patient based information (demographic and medical, tobacco and alcohol consumption history), intraoral parameters (presence of dentures, clinical signs of candidiasis), salivary analytical information (number of Candida albicans as colony-forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL), salivary pH levels, unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS) were collected. 13.1% of pSS patients presented oral signs of candidiasis. Denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis were the most common lesions. 87.5% of patients with clinical candidiasis presented reduced pH levels and salivary flow in both UWS and SWS. A significant statistical negative correlation was found between CFU/mL of Candida albicans and levels of UWS and SWS. A negative correlation was found between pH levels and CFU/mL, although not statistically significant. A reduced salivary flow may predispose pSS patients to Candida albicans overgrowth, which may show with clinical signs. Preventive measures are of great importance to avoid and to treat this condition promptly

Teaching Urology to Undergraduates: A Prospective Survey of What General Practitioners Need to Know

Background: Higher education training in Medicine has considerably evolved in recent years. One of its main goals has been to ensure the training of students as future adequately qualified general practitioners (GPs). Tools need to be developed to evaluate and improve the teaching of Urology at the undergraduate level. Our objective is to identify the knowledge and skills needed in Urology for the real clinical practice of GPs. Methods: An anonymous self-administered survey was carried out among GPs of Primary Care and Emergencies which sought to evaluate urological knowledge and necessary urological skills. The results of the survey were exported and descriptive statistics were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 19.0. Results and limitations: A total of 127 answers were obtained, in which ‘Urological infections’, ‘Renal colic’, ‘PSA levels and screening for prostate cancer’, ‘Benign prostatic hyperplasia’, ‘Hematuria’, ‘Scrotal pain’, ‘Prostate cancer diagnosis’, ‘Bladder cancer diagnosis’, ‘Urinary incontinence’, and ‘Erectile dysfunction’ were rated as Very high or High formative requirements (&gt;75%). Regarding urological skills, ‘Abdominal examination’, ‘Interpretation of urinalysis’, ‘Digital rectal examination’, ‘Genital examination’, and ‘Transurethral catheterization’ were assessed as needing Very high or High training in more than 80% of the surveys. The relevance of urological pathology in clinical practice was viewed as Very high or High in more than 80% of the responses. Conclusions: This study has shown helpful results to establish a differentiated prioritization of urological knowledge and skills in Primary Care and Emergencies. Efforts should be aimed at optimizing the teaching in Urology within the Degree of Medicine which consistently ensures patients’ proper care by future GPs

Oral lesions in patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome. A case-control cross-sectional study

To evaluate the presence of oral lesions in a group of patients with primary Sjögren?s syndrome (pSS) and compare these results with a matched control group (CG). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted. 61 pSS patients (60 women, 1 man, mean age 57.64±13.52) diagnosed according to the American European Criteria (2002), and 122 matched control patients (120 women, 2 men, mean age 60.02±13.13) were included. Demographic and medical data, oral lesions and salivary flow rate were collected. Compared with the controls, pSS patients were 3.95 more likely to have oral lesions (OR 3.95; 95% CI 2.06-7.58; p=0.0001). 57.4% pSS patients presented oral lesions compared to 25.4% in CG. The most common were candidiasis (13.1% vs 2.5%), traumatic lesions (13.1% vs 4.1%), apthae (8.2% vs 0), and fissuration of the tongue (8.2% vs 0.8%). pSS patients with oral lesions had lower salivary flow levels (stimulated and unstimulated), although these differences were not significant. Significant associations were found between the presence of oral lesions and systemic manifestations and history of parotid gland enlargement in pSS patients. pSS patients suffer more oral lesions than general population and these lesions may aggravate the pSS disease

Spirometry and respiratory oscillometry: Feasibility and concordance in schoolchildren with asthma

Producción CientíficaObjective:The purpose of this study was to describe the feasibility of respiratory oscillometry (RO) in schoolchildren with asthma, and the concordance of its results with those of spirometry, to determine its clinical usefulness. Methods:RO and spirometry were performed in 154 children (6 to 14-year-old) with asthma, following strict quality criteria for the tests. Their feasibility (probability of valid test, time of execution, number of maneuvers needed to achieve a valid test, and perceived difficulty) was compared. The factors that influence feasibility were analyzed with multivariate methods. FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FVC and FEF25-75 for spirometry, and R5, AX and R5-19 for RO, were converted into z-scores and their concordance was investigated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and kappa indices for normal/abnormal values. Results:There were no differences in the probability of obtaining a valid RO or spirometry (83.1% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.868). RO required a lower number of maneuvers [mean (SD) 4.2 (1.8) versus 6.0 (1.6), p < 0.001] and less execution time [5.1 (2.7) versus 7.6 (2.4) minutes, p < 0.001], and patients considered it less difficult. Age increased the probability of obtaining valid RO and spirometry. The concordance of results between RO and spirometry was low, and only between zFEV1 and zAX could it be considered moderate (ICC = 0.412, kappa = 0.427). Conclusion:RO and spirometry are feasible in children with asthma. RO has some practical advantages, but the concordance of its results with spirometry is low.Junta de Castilla y León (Gerencia Regional de Salud - Grant/Award Number: 2191/A/2020