Stimulatory Response of Celiac Disease Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Induced by RNAi Wheat Lines Differing in Grain Protein Composition

Wheat gluten proteins are responsible for the bread-making properties of the dough but also for triggering important gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1% of the population in Western countries. The only treatment available is the strict avoidance of gluten in the diet. Interference RNA (RNAi) is an excellent approach for the down-regulation of genes coding for immunogenic proteins related to celiac disease, providing an alternative for the development of cereals suitable for CD patients. In the present work, we report a comparative study of the stimulatory capacity of seven low-gluten RNAi lines differing in grain gluten and non-gluten protein composition, relevant for CD and other gluten pathologies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 35 patients with active CD were included in this study to assess the stimulatory response induced by protein extracts from the RNAi lines. Analysis of the proliferative response and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) release of PBMCs demonstrated impaired stimulation in response to all RNAi lines. The lower response was provided by lines with a very low content of α- and γ-gliadins, and low or almost devoid of DQ2.5 and p31–43 α-gliadin epitopes. The non-gluten protein seems not to play a key role in PBMC stimulation.Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and competitiveness AGL2016-80566-PEuropean Regional Development Fund (FEDER

High-Throughput System for the Early Quantification of Major Architectural Traits in Olive Breeding Trials Using UAV Images and OBIA Techniques

The need for the olive farm modernization have encouraged the research of more efficient crop management strategies through cross-breeding programs to release new olive cultivars more suitable for mechanization and use in intensive orchards, with high quality production and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The advancement of breeding programs are hampered by the lack of efficient phenotyping methods to quickly and accurately acquire crop traits such as morphological attributes (tree vigor and vegetative growth habits), which are key to identify desirable genotypes as early as possible. In this context, an UAV-based high-throughput system for olive breeding program applications was developed to extract tree traits in large-scale phenotyping studies under field conditions. The system consisted of UAV-flight configurations, in terms of flight altitude and image overlaps, and a novel, automatic, and accurate object-based image analysis (OBIA) algorithm based on point clouds, which was evaluated in two experimental trials in the framework of a table olive breeding program, with the aim to determine the earliest date for suitable quantifying of tree architectural traits. Two training systems (intensive and hedgerow) were evaluated at two very early stages of tree growth: 15 and 27 months after planting. Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) were automatically and accurately generated by the algorithm as well as every olive tree identified, independently of the training system and tree age. The architectural traits, specially tree height and crown area, were estimated with high accuracy in the second flight campaign, i.e. 27 months after planting. Differences in the quality of 3D crown reconstruction were found for the growth patterns derived from each training system. These key phenotyping traits could be used in several olive breeding programs, as well as to address some agronomical goals. In addition, this system is cost and time optimized, so that requested architectural traits could be provided in the same day as UAV flights. This high-throughput system may solve the actual bottleneck of plant phenotyping of "linking genotype and phenotype," considered a major challenge for crop research in the 21st century, and bring forward the crucial time of decision making for breeders

Análisis del comportamiento emocional en alumnos de psicopedagogía

Con esta investigación queremos poner de manifiesto que el conocimiento de las emociones y el trabajar con ellas son aspectos básicos en el marco educativo actual. En el presente estudio nos planteamos: conocer, evaluar y analizar los niveles emocionales en las dimensiones de la escala TMMS de Inteligencia Emocional, es decir, Atención, Claridad y Reparación emocional. Analizamos estas dimensiones emocionales en los futuros psicopedagogos de la Facultad de Educación en Extremadura.With this investigation we want to reveal that the knowledge of the emotions and to work with them are basic aspects in the educational current frame. In the present study we appear: to know, to evaluate and to analyze the emotional levels in the dimensions of the scale TMMS of Emotional Intelligence: Attention, Clarity and emotional Repair. We analyze these emotional dimensions in the future educational psychologists of the Faculty of Education in Extremadura.peerReviewe

Danthron, an Anthraquinone Isolated from a Marine Fungus, Is a New Inhibitor of Angiogenesis Exhibiting Interesting Antitumor and Antioxidant Properties

The role played by a sustained angiogenesis in cancer and other diseases stimulates the interest in the search for new antiangiogenic drugs. In this manuscript, we provide evidence that 1,8- dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (danthron), isolated from the fermentation broth of the marine fungus Chromolaenicola sp. (HL-114-33-R04), is a new inhibitor of angiogenesis. The results obtained with the in vivo CAM assay indicate that danthron is a potent antiangiogenic compound. In vitro studies with human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) reveal that this anthraquinone inhibits certain key functions of activated endothelial cells, including proliferation, proteolytic and invasive capabilities and tube formation. In vitro studies with human breast carcinoma MDA-MB231 and fibrosarcoma HT1080 cell lines suggest a moderate antitumor and antimetastatic activity of this compound. Antioxidant properties of danthron are evidenced by the observation that it reduces the intracellular reactive oxygen species production and increases the amount of intracellular sulfhydryl groups in endothelial and tumor cells. These results support a putative role of danthron as a new antiangiogenic drug with potential application in the treatment and angioprevention of cancer and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Aderência ao tratamento na infeção por VIH/SIDA. Considerações teóricas e metodológicas

Adherence to treatment is currently of main concern for HIV/AIDS control, being associated with treatment success or failure. This systematic review highlights that adherence to treatment is a concept that traditionally refers only to antiretroviral medication intake and attendance at medical appointments. However, these aspects do not reflect the complexity of this topic. There is evidence about the relation between adherence to treatment and other factors that could facilitate or hinder its effectiveness but usually this evidence is not conclusive. In this review, an integral concept of adherence to treatment for HIV/AIDS infection is proposed, considering several simple and complex competences necessary to carry out the therapeutic regime. Additionally, factors with stronger empirical support associated with adherence are identified, including those related to the patient, the health system, the illness and the treatment, as well as social-interpersonal and cultural factors. The aim of this review is to propose new guidelines to evaluate adherence to treatment for HIV/AIDS infection and factors that are associated to it, in order to allow the design of more effective interventions.A aderência ao tratamento é uma das principais preocupações para controlar o VIH/Sida; é associada ao sucesso ou ao fracasso terapêutico. Este estudo de revisão mostra que a aderência ao tratamento tem sido considerada tradicionalmente a tomada de medicinas antirretrovirais e ir as citações médicas. Mais, estes aspetos não refletem a complexidade do tema. A evidência da relação entre aderência ao tratamento e diversos fatores que poderiam ser facilitadores ou obstáculos é amplia, mais pouco conclusiva. Nesta revisão, é proposta uma conceição integral do comportamento de aderência ao controle da infecção pelo VIH/Sida, considerando várias competências simples ou complexas, necessárias para cumprir o regime terapêutico. Além disso, são identificados os fatores associados à aderência com maior apoio empírico relacionados ao paciente, ao sistema de saúde, á doença e o tratamento, assim como fatores sociais, pessoais e interculturais, a fim de propor novos lineamentos de avaliação da aderência ao tratamento de VIH/Sida e dos fatores associados que permitam desenhar intervenções mais eficazes.La adherencia al tratamiento constituye actualmente una de las principales preocupaciones en relación al control del VIH/sida, asociándose fuertemente al éxito o fracaso terapéutico. Este estudio de revisión muestra cómo la adherencia al tratamiento ha sido tradicionalmente considerada como la toma de medicamentos antirretrovirales y la asistencia a las citas médicas; aspectos que no reflejan la complejidad del tema. La evidencia sobre la relación entre la adherencia al tratamiento y diversos factores que podrían ser facilitadores u obstáculos, es amplia pero en ocasiones poco concluyente. A partir de esta revisión se plantea una concepción integral del comportamiento de adherencia para el control de la infección por VIH/sida, considerando varias competencias simples o complejas necesarias para cumplir con el régimen terapéutico. Por otro lado, con el objetivo de proponer nuevos lineamientos de evaluación de la adherencia al tratamiento para el VIH/sida y de los factores asociados que permitan diseñar intervenciones más eficaces, se identifican los factores asociados a la adherencia con mayor apoyo empírico relacionados con el paciente, con el sistema de salud, con la enfermedad y el tratamiento, como los sociales-interpersonales y los culturales

Consolidadndo la formación académica con el desempeño profesional, tendencias de proyectos de mejora

El poner en práctica los conocimientos adquiridos durante la formación universitaria, permite a los estudiantes, adquirir experiencia, tomar conciencia de la realidad, proporcionando soluciones a los diversos problemas o posibles necesidades del entorno, abriendo nuevos espacios al desempeño profesional consolidando la formación académica, lo cual genera un compromiso con la sociedad a la que pertenecen. El propósito de este documento es mostrar en que actividades los estudiantes desarrollan con mayor frecuencia sus conocimientos, aproximándolos al mercado laboral y consolidando así su formación académica, mediante un análisis de los diferentes proyectos de mejora que proponen 57 estudiantes de la FIME del Programa Educativo de Ingeniero Administrador de Sistemas, correspondiente al semestre Enero – Junio 2015 durante la prestación de su Servicio Social , observando una mayor prevalencia en actividades administrativas. ABSTRACT: El propósito de este documento es mostrar en que actividades los estudiantes desarrollan con mayor frecuencia sus conocimientos, aproximándolos al mercado laboral y consolidando así su formación académica, mediante un análisis de los diferentes proyectos de mejora que proponen 57 estudiantes de la FIME del Programa Educativo de Ingeniero Administrador de Sistemas, correspondiente al semestre Enero – Junio 2015 durante la prestación de su Servicio Social , observando una mayor prevalencia en actividades administrativas

Sexually Transmitted Infections in 2000–2018 in a Specialised Centre: Comparison between Pre-Crisis, Crisis, and Post-Crisis Period

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a major public health problem due to their consequences in sexual and reproductive health. There is a close link between the crisis and the increase in communicable diseases. The objective of this study was to analyse the evolution of Sexually Transmitted Infections during the period 2000–2018 in the population attending the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation in Granada (Spain), specifically comparing the pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis periods. (2) Methods: A retrospective, observational, and analytical study was conducted by reviewing medical records. The sample analysed comprised 1666 cases. (3) Results: During the pre-crisis period (2000–2007), the percentage of diagnoses was 41.6% (n = 126) compared to 58.4% (n = 177) of negative results; during the crisis, the percentages were 63.5% (n = 183) and 36.5% (n = 105), respectively; and during the post-crisis period, the percentages were 42.9% (n = 157) and 57.1% (n = 209), respectively. The variables that were significantly associated with STI diagnosis were the time periods analysed, sexual orientation, occupation, and age at first intercourse. The evolution of the number of positive diagnoses during the entire study period showed a trend of progressive increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections from 2000 to 2018. (4) Conclusions: The period of economic crisis presented a higher risk of infection, although this is a finding with certain limitations due to the lack of homogeneity between the periods analyse

Inmovilización de cationes Cr(III) retenidos en estructuras zeolíticas estabilizadas en matrices cementíceas

Se realizó la reacción de conversión de un catalizador FCC agotado en un producto zeolítico que luego se probó como material de captura de especies iónicas de Cr(III) presentes en soluciones acuosas. Las cantidades de Cr(III) retenidas por el sólido sintetizado (determinadas por la técnica de espectroscopía de absorción atómica), así como las diferentes caracterizaciones fisicoquímicas del mismo (medidas de potenciales zeta, DRX, microscopía electrónica de barrido) muestran la viabilidad de la utilización de este producto en reacciones de intercambio catiónico. Se procedió finalmente a la preparación de matrices cementíceas, donde se incorporó este material con alto contenido de cationes Cr(III) como reemplazo de diferentes porcentajes de cemento. Las medidas de resistencia mecánica y los resultados de ensayos normalizados de lixiviación realizados sobre las matrices obtenidas indican que a través de este método de cementación es posible lograr la inmovilización de los cationes Cr(III) y plantear una alternativa válida para su disposición final.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias AplicadasCentro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámic