A Survey on Knowledge Management in Universities in the QS Rankings: E-learning and MOOCs

Purpose – Many public organizations are employing Information Technology “IT” in Knowledge Management “KM” (Silwattananusarn and Tuamsuk, 2012; Alavi and Leidner, 2001; Chatti et al., 2007). Within universities, the use of IT could be an enabler to create and facilitate the development of knowledge (Joia, 2000; Garcia, 2007; Tian et al., 2009; Sandelands, 1997); to improve knowledge sharing (Aurelie Bechina Arntzen et al., 2009; Alavi and Gallupe, 2003); to develop communities of practice (Adams and Freeman, 2000). In the educational organizations IT is also a tool to improve the quality of learning (EC, 2000). E-learning is based on digital technologies (Aspen Institute Italy, 2014), through multiple teaching methods (Derouin et al., 2005), as tools for KM (Wild et al., 2002). The websites of some universities allows anyone to follow free lessons, through the internet. These types of free online courses are known as Massive Open Online Courses „MOOCs“ (EC, 2014; Sinclair et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to verify the type of teaching adopted by European universities and understand how training through e-learning can improve the processes of transmission and sharing of knowledge allowing everyone, not only to students, to take lessons through the web. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis allows detecting data on universities by region through the study of the websites of the top 100 European universities present in a ranking called Quacquarelli Symonds, “QS World University Rankings 2015/16”. The method used to collect the data was marked by the creation of a specific database in which are inserted, for each university, different information: status (public/private), size, age, number of enrolled students, references on websites. In this Excel spreadsheet was also taken into account the type of educational offer provided by each university, with particular reference to the provision of online courses and courses open to all. Originality/value – The article aims to provide a detailed study on the use of technology in the educational context. The exploration allows you to design, within other universities unranked, styles of teaching online to share knowledge. Practical implications – The survey, currently, is the first step of a larger project which aims to analyse the different types of e-learning platforms used by 100 universities in the European rankings QS to make teaching online. From the results of this first phase, it has emerged that all the surveyed European universities provide training not only through classroom lessons, but also with a variety of courses through e-learning even for free through MOOCs

A Survey on Knowledge Management in Universities in the QS Rankings: E-learning and MOOCs

Purpose – Many public organizations are employing Information Technology “IT” in Knowledge Management “KM” (Silwattananusarn and Tuamsuk, 2012; Alavi and Leidner, 2001; Chatti et al., 2007). Within universities, the use of IT could be an enabler to create and facilitate the development of knowledge (Joia, 2000; Garcia, 2007; Tian et al., 2009; Sandelands, 1997); to improve knowledge sharing (Aurelie Bechina Arntzen et al., 2009; Alavi and Gallupe, 2003); to develop communities of practice (Adams and Freeman, 2000). In the educational organizations IT is also a tool to improve the quality of learning (EC, 2000). E-learning is based on digital technologies (Aspen Institute Italy, 2014), through multiple teaching methods (Derouin et al., 2005), as tools for KM (Wild et al., 2002). The websites of some universities allows anyone to follow free lessons, through the internet. These types of free online courses are known as Massive Open Online Courses „MOOCs“ (EC, 2014; Sinclair et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to verify the type of teaching adopted by European universities and understand how training through e-learning can improve the processes of transmission and sharing of knowledge allowing everyone, not only to students, to take lessons through the web. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis allows detecting data on universities by region through the study of the websites of the top 100 European universities present in a ranking called Quacquarelli Symonds, “QS World University Rankings 2015/16”. The method used to collect the data was marked by the creation of a specific database in which are inserted, for each university, different information: status (public/private), size, age, number of enrolled students, references on websites. In this Excel spreadsheet was also taken into account the type of educational offer provided by each university, with particular reference to the provision of online courses and courses open to all. Originality/value – The article aims to provide a detailed study on the use of technology in the educational context. The exploration allows you to design, within other universities unranked, styles of teaching online to share knowledge. Practical implications – The survey, currently, is the first step of a larger project which aims to analyse the different types of e-learning platforms used by 100 universities in the European rankings QS to make teaching online. From the results of this first phase, it has emerged that all the surveyed European universities provide training not only through classroom lessons, but also with a variety of courses through e-learning even for free through MOOCs

HLA in migraine and coeliac children

The linkage between HLA antigens and disease susceptibility has been investigated in several diseases. Two different mechanisms are known to act in the relation between the HLA system and headache: linkage and association of alleles. Among neurological disorders associated with coeliac disease (CD) we focused on headache in 1997. From a group of 70 coeliac children, we studied 10 children with headache (3 boys and 7 girls). For each subject we evaluated clinical history and HLA antigens. The incidence of headache was not different with respect to the prevalence of headache in the general population. The HLA setting is not different between the 2 groups examined. However, we highlight 2 cases for the particular HLA setting

Caracterización de IgM, IgG Total, IgG1 y anticuerpos de cadena pesada en calostro de llamas ("Lama glama") mediante Elisa

Objectives: to determine the levels of IgM, total IgG, IgG1 and HCAbs (IgG2 and IgG3) in colostra of llamas and to evaluate the concentration of HCAbs in relation to total IgG and the conventional isotype IgG1. Methods: Fifteen pregnant llamas were used in this study, which were milked within the first 24 hours after delivery. Sandwich ELISAs were designed for the quantification of IgM, total IgG and IgG1. The HCAbs concentration was calculated by difference between total IgG and IgG1 (HCAbs = total IgG – IgG1). Results: The levels of Igs were found to be: IgM= 17.02 mg/ml (SD= 9.85), total IgG= 42.54mg/ml (SD=27.79), IgG1=24.34mg/ml (SD=13.96) and HCAbs (IgGtotal-IgG1) = 18.19 mg/ml (SD=15.49). Results regarding total IgG are consistent with those described in other species with similar type of placentation. HCAbs represented 43% of colostral IgG and IgM concentration presented values that were much higher (two and three times respectively) than those described for species with similar type of placentation. Conclusions: This study is the first which evaluate amounts of each immunoglobulin isotype in colostra of llamas. We described a higher value of IgM in in comparison with species with similar placentation type. The IgG1 isotype, which represents the conventional isotype, is the more abundant antibody in colostra, being the HCAbs the second important fraction. This information may be useful in the management of neonates with failures in the transference of maternal passive immunity by colostra.Objetivos: determinar los niveles de IgM, IgG total y Anticuerpos de Cadena Pesada (HCAbs; por su sigla en inglés Heavy Chain Antibodies) (IgG2 e IgG3) en calostro de llamas y evaluar la concentración de HCAbs en relación a la IgG total y al isotipo convencional IgG1. Métodos: en este estudio se utilizaron 15 llamas preñadas, que fueron ordeñadas dentro de las primeras 24 horas post-parto. Se diseñaron ELISAs Sandwich para la cuantificación de IgM total, IgG total e IgG1. La concentración de HCAbs fue calculada mediante la diferencia entre IgG total e IgG1. (HCAbs =IgG total-IgG1). Resultados: los niveles encontrados fueron: IgM=17.02 mg/ml (DS=9.85) IgG total= 42.54 mg/ml (DS=27.79), IgG1=24.34 mg/ml (DS=13.96) y HCAbs (IgG total-IgG1)= 18.19 mg/ml (DS=15.49). Los resultados de IgG fueron consistentes en relación a lo descripto en otras especies con similar tipo de placentación. Los HCAbs representan el 43% de IgG calostral y la concentración de IgM presentó valores muy altos (dos y tres veces más elevados) que los descriptos en las especies con similar tipo de placentación

Angiogenesis and Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis: A Glance at New Pharmaceutical Approaches

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination and destruction of axons. The most common form of the disease is the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in which episodic attacks with typical neurological symptoms are followed by episodes of partial or complete recovery. One of the underestimated factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis is excessive angiogenesis. Here, we review the role of angiogenesis in the onset and in the development of the disease, the molecular mechanisms underlying angiogenesis, the current therapeutic approaches, and the potential therapeutic strategies with a look at natural compounds as multi-target drugs with both neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic properties

Characterization of IgM, total IgG, igG1 and hcabs in colostra of llamas (Lama glama) by Elisa

Objetivos: determinar los niveles de IgM, IgG total y Anticuerpos de Cadena Pesada (HCAbs; por su sigla en inglés Heavy Chain Antibodies) (IgG2 e IgG3) en calostro de llamas y evaluar la concentración de HCAbs en relación a la IgG total y al isotipo convencional IgG1. Métodos: en este estudio se utilizaron 15 llamas preñadas, que fueron ordeñadas dentro de las primeras 24 horas post-parto. Se diseñaron ELISAs Sandwich para la cuantificación de IgM total, IgG total e IgG1. La concentración de HCAbs fue calculada mediante la diferencia entre IgG total e IgG1. (HCAbs =IgG total-IgG1). Resultados: los niveles encontrados fueron: IgM=17.02 mg/ml (DS=9.85) IgG total= 42.54 mg/ml (DS=27.79), IgG1=24.34 mg/ml (DS=13.96) y HCAbs (IgG total-IgG1)= 18.19 mg/ml (DS=15.49). Los resultados de IgG fueron consistentes en relación a lo descripto en otras especies con similar tipo de placentación. Los HCAbs representan el 43% de IgG calostral y la concentración de IgM presentó valores muy altos (dos y tres veces más elevados) que los descriptos en las especies con similar tipo de placentación.Fil: Caggiano, Nicolás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Saccodossi, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: Gentile, Maria Teresa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: Chiappe Barbará, María Angelina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Leoni, Juliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: de Simone, Emilio Adrian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; Argentin

Efficacy and Safety of a Polysaccharide-Based Natural Substance Complex in the Treatment of Obesity and Other Metabolic Syndrome Components: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasingly common in adults as well as in children and adolescents. However, preventing and treating MetS is one of the most pressing challenges for public health services worldwide. At present, the only approved treatments for MetS are dietary changes and physical activity, which are associated with a high rate of non-compliance. On the contrary, no drugs are licensed to treat metabolic syndrome, although a number of drugs are used to treat individual metabolic abnormalities, which increases the risk of adverse events, particularly in children. Policaptil Gel Retard® (PGR), an oral macromolecule complex based on polysaccharides, has been demonstrated to significantly reduce body weight, peak blood glucose (BG) levels, insulin levels, and lipid levels, providing an interesting non-pharmacological therapeutic option for MetS-associated metabolic abnormalities, especially in younger patients.Aims: To review available studies on the use of PGR in children, adolescents, or adults with obesity or metabolic syndrome.Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases for PGR and MetS. A total of six studies were identified and included.Results: Across four randomized clinical studies and one retrospective clinical study including a total of 359 obese children and adolescents with or without MetS and 157 overweight/obese adults with or without MetS and/or T2DM, a single dose of PGR resulted in a reduction in appetite and postprandial triglyceride levels in younger patients and peak postprandial BG levels in adults. Decreased lipid levels were observed in adults following a normocaloric diet who received PGR for 30 days. As a long-term treatment, in combination with a low-glycemic index diet with or without metformin, PGR resulted in reduced body mass index and waist circumference, improved insulin sensitivity with reduction of glucose-metabolism abnormalities, increased insulin reserve and, finally, an improved circulating lipid profile, regardless of age. No safety issues were reported.Conclusion: Policaptil Gel Retard® is an effective and safe non-pharmacological approach to improve the treatment of MetS-associated cardiovascular risk factors in children, adolescents, and adults

Valuation of asymmetric IgG antibodies in swine serum and placental extracts

Antibodies (AC) of the immune system play a role during gestation that has yet to be fully understood. The present investigation focused on the percentage of asymmetric AcIgG united to the lectin concanavalin A relative to total AcIgG, in blood serums and placental extracts of sows at different stages of gestation, utilizing the differential ELISA method. The 45 samples processed were of serum and homogenates of maternal (HoPM) and fetal (HoPF) placenta from sows at 30 d (n = 17), 65-70 d (n = 9), and 95–114 d (n = 6) d of gestation, and from 13 non-pregnant uteri (HoU). The difference between non-pregnant and pregnant sows in percentage (asymmetric AcIgG/total AcIG) in serum (38 ± 3 vs. 37 ± 2), was not significant, but there was a difference (P<0.01) between the two groups at 30 d and 95 d of gestation (32 ± 3 vs. 43 ± 3). As for percentages (asymmetric AcIgG/total AcIgG) in HoPM, the 65 gestation sows significantly surpassed all other groups and those at 95 d gestation were inferior to all other groups. High percentages (asymmetric AcIgG/total AcIgG) were found in HoPF throughout gestation 52 ± 5, 44 ± 3, and 47 ± 4 at 30, 65, and 95 d, respectively). It is suggested that these antibodies were of maternal origen and serve to protect the fetus from its mother’s immune system. We postulate that the presence of asymmetric AcIgG in serum and maternal and fetal placenta functions in regulation of the maternal immune response and is essential for a successful pregnancy