Precipitaciones y desempeño económico en España: Un estudio de su relación a nivel regional

El agua es un recurso natural esencial para los ecosistemas, el ser humano y el funcionamiento de la actividad económica. Los recursos hídricos son usados como factor de producción desde tiempos inmemoriales. En un contexto de potencial cambio climático, que acarrearía importantes restricciones en cuanto a la disponibilidad y variabilidad del agua, conocer su relación con el desempeño económico resulta vital. Por ello, en este Trabajo Fin de Grado se analiza la relación entre el valor añadido bruto (VAB), total y agrario, de la economía española y las precipitaciones. El trabajo se centra en el periodo de 2000 a 2017, y usa datos regionales con el objetivo de evitar el problema de la unidad de área modificable. En primer lugar, se lleva a cabo un análisis descriptivo, y posteriormente, se estiman diversos modelos usando técnicas de datos panel. Cuando consideramos todas las provincias españolas, se obtienen resultados no significativos. Sin embargo, al dividir España en 4 grupos climáticos, se observa como las precipitaciones afectan negativamente al VAB total en el Norte, mientras que en el interior afectan de manera positiva. Además, en términos del VAB agrario, encontramos que las precipitaciones influyen negativamente a las regiones más húmedas y positivamente a las más áridas.<br /

Relación entre la desigualdad económica y desigualdad en el uso del agua

En este trabajo se estudia la posible relación entre la desigualdad económica y la desigualdad en el uso del agua mundial. De la misma manera, se estudian los diferentes indicadores existentes para la medición de la desigualdad, además de poner en práctica dos de ellos. Hemos evaluado la desigualdad de dichas variables para un periodo global(1971-2020) y dos subperiodos. Asimismo, hemos evaluado dicha desigualdad entre las regiones del mundo. <br /

Intervention auprès des femmes dans des contextes de la prostitution: lecture pédagogique de différentes voix

This article tries to reflect the educational dimension of the work that social entities carry out with women in contexts of prostitution. For this purpose, we did a qualitative investigation across interviews, groups of discussion, participative observation and life histories, from three types of informants: specialists in the matter, professionals who work on the area directly with the women, and women in contexts of prostitution. The analysis of the information allows us to recognize the pedagogical content that underlies in the intervention that develops in this area. From this perspective, the results showed in this paper try to reveal the educational potential that practices and relationship that professionals establish with the women contain.Este artículo trata de reflejar la dimensión educativa del trabajo que realizan las entidades sociales con mujeres en contextos de prostitución. Para ello, realizamos una investigación cualitativa basada en entrevistas, grupos de discusión, observación participante y relatos de vida, a tres tipos de informantes: especialistas en la materia, profesionales que trabajan sobre el terreno directamente con las mujeres y mujeres en contextos de prostitución. El análisis de la información nos permite visibilizar buena parte del contenido pedagógico que subyace en la intervención que se desarrolla en este ámbito. Desde esta perspectiva, los resultados que presentamos en este trabajo tratan de revelar el potencial educativo que contienen las prácticas y la relación que las profesionales establecen con las mujeres.Cet article tente de refléter la dimension éducative de leur travail avec les femmes des organisations sociales dans les contextes de la prostitution. Nous développons une méthodologie de recherche qualitative sur la base des interviews, groupes de discussion, l’observation participante et des histoires de vie, à partir de trois types d’informateurs: des spécialistes, des professionnels que travaillent directement avec les femmes, et les femmes dans contextes de la prostitution. L’analyse de l’information nous permet de visualiser le contenu éducatif sous-jacent de l’intervention développé dans ce domaine. De ce point de vue, les résultats présentés dans ce document tentent de révéler le potentiel éducative que contiennent les pratiques et les relations que les professionnels développent avec les femmes

Interfacing neurons with nanostructured electrodes modulates synaptic circuit features

Understanding neural physiopathology requires advances in nanotechnology-based interfaces, engineered to monitor the functional state of mammalian nervous cells. Such interfaces typically contain nanometer-size features for stimulation and recording as in cell-non-invasive extracellular microelectrode arrays. In such devices, it turns crucial to understand specific interactions of neural cells with physicochemical features of electrodes, which could be designed to optimize performance. Herein, versatile flexible nanostructured electrodes covered by arrays of metallic nanowires are fabricated and used to investigate the role of chemical composition and nanotopography on rat brain cells in vitro. By using Au and Ni as exemplary materials, nanostructure and chemical composition are demonstrated to play major roles in the interaction of neural cells with electrodes. Nanostructured devices are interfaced to rat embryonic cortical cells and postnatal hippocampal neurons forming synaptic circuits. It is shown that Au-based electrodes behave similarly to controls. Contrarily, Ni-based nanostructured electrodes increase cell survival, boost neuronal differentiation, and reduce glial cells with respect to flat counterparts. Nonetheless, Au-based electrodes perform superiorly compared to Ni-based ones. Under electrical stimulation, Au-based nanostructured substrates evoke intracellular calcium dynamics compatible with neural networks activation. These studies highlight the opportunity for these electrodes to excite a silent neural network by direct neuronal membranes depolarizatio

Dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation shunts branched-chain amino acid catabolism onto lipogenesis in skeletal muscle

It is controversial whether mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle is the cause or consequence of metabolic disorders. Herein, we demonstrate that in vivo inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthase in muscle alters whole-body lipid homeostasis. Mice with restrained mitochondrial ATP synthase activity presented intrafiber lipid droplets, dysregulation of acyl-glycerides, and higher visceral adipose tissue deposits, poising these animals to insulin resistance. This mitochondrial energy crisis increases lactate production, prevents fatty acid b-oxidation, and forces the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to provide acetyl-CoA for de novo lipid synthesis. In turn, muscle accumulation of acetyl-CoA leads to acetylation-dependent inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex II enhancing oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction which results in augmented ROS production. By screening 702 FDA-approved drugs, we identified edaravone as a potent mitochondrial antioxidant and enhancer. Edaravone administration restored ROS and lipid homeostasis in skeletal muscle and reinstated insulin sensitivity. Our results suggest that muscular mitochondrial perturbations are causative of metabolic disorders and that edaravone is a potential treatment for these diseasesThis work was ts from Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, MINECO, Spain (SAF2016-76028-R and SAF2016-75916-R) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Raras, Spain (CB06/07/0017

Metastasis of renal clear-cell carcinoma to the oral mucosa, an atypical location

The majority of cases of metastatic tumors involve the mandible and some the maxilla but they are considerably less common in intraoral soft tissues. In addition, the primary tumor is known in the majority of cases; although in onethird of such cases, metastasis is the first clinical manifestation. The most common primary tumors metastasizing to the mouth are lung carcinoma in men and breast carcinoma in women. An oral metastasis implies a serious prognosis, as in the majority of patients there is multiple organ involvement at the time of diagnosis. We present the case of a 52-year old patient with renal pathology who came to the emergency room due to a rapidly increasing gingival tumor. With the provisional clinical diagnosis of a pyogenic granuloma,the tumor was excised. Subsequent anatomopathological analysis revealed a tumor metastasis compatible with clear-cell carcinoma, and its renal origin was confirmed by means of immunohistochemical techniques

TRPM8, a Versatile Channel in Human Sperm

BACKGROUND:The transient receptor potential channel (TRP) family includes more than 30 proteins; they participate in various Ca(2+) dependent processes. TRPs are functionally diverse involving thermal, chemical and mechanical transducers which modulate the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i). Ca(2+) triggers and/or regulates principal sperm functions during fertilization such as motility, capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Nevertheless, the presence of the TRPM subfamily in sperm has not been explored. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Here we document with RT-PCR, western blot and immunocitochemistry analysis the presence of TRPM8 in human sperm. We also examined the participation of this channel in sperm function using specific agonists (menthol and temperature) and antagonists (BCTC and capsazepine). Computer-aided sperm analysis revealed that menthol did not significantly alter human sperm motility. In contrast, menthol induced the acrosome reaction in human sperm. This induction was inhibited about 70% by capsazepine (20 microM) and 80% by BCTC (1.6 microM). Activation of TRPM8 either by temperature or menthol induced [Ca(2+)]i increases in human sperm measured by fluorescence in populations or individual sperm cells, effect that was also inhibited by capsazepine (20 microM) and BCTC (1.6 microM). However, the progesterone and ZP3-induced acrosome reaction was not inhibited by capsazepine or BCTC, suggesting that TRPM8 activation triggers this process by a different signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS:This is the first report dealing with the presence of a thermo sensitive channel (TRPM8) in human sperm. This channel could be involved in cell signaling events such as thermotaxis or chemotaxis

Efficacy of prompted voiding for reversing urinary incontinence in older adults hospitalized in a functional recovery unit: Study protocol

Aims: To assess the efficacy of a prompted voiding programme for restoring urinary continence at discharge in hospitalized older adults who presented with reversible urinary incontinence (UI) on admission to a functional recovery unit (FRU). To assess the maintenance of the outcomes achieved after hospitalization. To identify modifiable and unmodifiable factors associated with the success of the prompted voiding programme. Design: Quasi-experimental, pre-/post-intervention study without a control group. Methods: Participants were aged 65 and over with a history of reversible UI in the previous year who had been admitted to a FRU and were on a prompted voiding programme throughout their hospitalization period. The sample consisted of 221 participants. A non-probabilistic sampling method, in order of recruitment after signing the informed consent form, was used. The primary outcomes were UI assessed at discharge and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after discharge. Funding was granted in July 2019 by the Spain Health Research Fund (PI19/00168, Ministry of Health). The proposal was approved by the Spanish Research Ethics Committee. Discussion: The prompted voiding programme described can reverse UI or decrease the frequency and amount of urine loss in hospitalized older adults. Impact: Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent in hospitalized older adults. There is a need for care aimed at prevention, recovery and symptom control. Prompted voiding is a therapy provided by the nursing team during hospitalization and can also be provided by family caregivers at home after receiving proper training by the nursing team. Prompted voiding will enhance the health, functional ability and quality of life of older adults with UI, resulting in the reduction of associated healthcare costs and the risk of developing complicationsThis study has been funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the project “PI19/00168” (Co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/ European Social Fund “A way to make Europe”/“Investing in your future”

Assessment of humoral immune response to two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) in healthcare workers fully vaccinated with and without a history of previous infection

Aims: Presence of anti-S1 region of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was analysed, at two and eight months, in 477 immunocompetent healthcare workers in Zaragoza, Spain, vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer). Methods and results: Antibody analysis was performed with Alinity i System (Abbott). At 2 months, 100% of vaccinated had anti-S1 IgG (mean = 13, 285 AU ml-1). This value was significantly higher with Moderna (18, 192 AU ml-1) than with Pfizer (10, 441 AU ml-1). The mean value of anti-S1 IgG after vaccination was significantly higher in patients with than without previous infection (18, 539 vs. 7919 AU ml-1); in both groups was significantly higher with Moderna than with Pfizer (21, 881 vs. 15, 733 AU ml-1 and 11, 949 vs. 6387 AU ml-1), respectively. At 8 months, 100% of patients were IgG positive, with higher levels with Moderna than with Pfizer. Nevertheless, in ensemble of cases, a mean decrease of antibody levels of 11, 025 AU ml-1 was observed. Conclusion: At 2 and 8 months after vaccination, IgG response persists with both vaccines but with important decrease which suggests the need for revaccination. Significance and impact of study: The study contributes to know the immune status after vaccination with two of more used anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This knowledge is important for establishing the best vaccination strategy. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Applied Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for Applied Microbiology