European Actors and Disinformation: the dispute between fact-checking, alternative agendas and geopolitics

El referéndum del Brexit es un buen ejemplo de la especial vulnerabilidad del proyecto europeo ante la desinformación. Por ello las instituciones han desarrollado una serie de iniciativas durante 2018 para definir una estrategia europea contra la desinformación que enfatiza la responsabilidad de las redes sociales en la denuncia de los contenidos falsos. Además, ante la debilidad de la esfera pública europea, las instituciones europeas apoyan la creación de redes europeas de fact checkers. Esta estrategia implica la denuncia de las mentiras en lugar de una de creación de marcos alternativos, lo que autores como Lakoff (2004) consideran un error desde la perspectiva del framing. Empíricamente demostramos mediante un análisis de las principales redes de actores en este asunto (académicos, fundaciones, think tanks, medios, plataformas de redes sociales y fact checkers) que existe una disputa para definir la mejor forma de combatir la desinformación a escala europeaThe Brexit referendum is a good example of the particular vulnerability of the European project when fighting disinformation. Therefore, EU institutions have developed a series of initiatives throughout 2018 to define a European strategy to counter disinformation that emphasizes the responsibility of social networks in reporting false content. In addition, given the weakness of the European public sphere, the European institutions support the creation of European networks of fact checkers. This strategy implies the denunciation of lies, rather than the promotion of alternative interpretive frames, which authors like Lakoff (2004) consider an error from a framing point of view. Empirically, we demonstrate through an analysis of the main networks of actors on this matter (academics, foundations, think tanks, media, social network platforms and fact checkers) that there is a dispute to define the best way to combat disinformation at the European leve

Influence of IFN-gamma and its receptors in human breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interferons are a group of proteins that trigger multiple responses including prevention of viral replication, inhibition of cell growth, and modulation of cell differentiation. In different mammary carcinoma cell lines IFNγ induces growth arrest at mid-G1. At the present there are no <it>in vivo </it>studies in human breast. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of IFNγ and its two receptors (IFNγ-Rα and IFNγ-Rβ) by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, in order to elucidate its role in the different types of human breast cancer (<it>in situ </it>and infiltrative).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunohistochemical and semiquantitative study of IFNγ, its receptors types (IFNγ-Rα and IFNγ-Rβ), cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, also named PCNA), and apoptosis (TUNEL method) was carried between the three breast groups (fibrocystic lesions, <it>in situ</it> tumors and infiltrating tumors).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the three groups of patients, IFNγ and IFNγ-Rα immunoreactions appeared in the cytoplasm while IFNγ-Rβ also was found in the nucleus. The optical density to IFNγ was higher in <it>in situ </it>carcinoma than in benign and infiltrating tumors. When we observed IFNγ-Rα, the optical density was lower in infiltrating carcinoma than in benign and <it>in situ </it>tumors (the higher density). To IFNγ-Rβ, the optical density was similar in the three group samples. In tumor samples PCNA and TUNEL index was significantly higher; than in benign diseases. PCNA index increased with the malignance. No significant differences were found between cancer types to TUNEL. IFNγ could be a potential therapeutic tool in breast cancer. However, tumor cells are able to escape from the control of this cytokine in the early tumor stages; this is probably due to a decreased expression of IFNγ, or also to an alteration of either its receptors or some transduction elements.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the decrease in the % positive samples that expressed IFNγ and IFNγ-Rα together with the nuclear localization of IFNγ-Rβ, could be a tumoral cell response, although perhaps insufficient to inhibit the uncontrolled cell proliferation. Perhaps, IFNγ might be unable to activate p21 to stop the cell cycle, suggesting a possible participation in breast cancer development.</p

Cardiotrophin-1 promotes a high survival rate in rabbits with lethal fulminant hepatitis of viral origin

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) causes lethal fulminant hepatitis closely resembling acute liver failure (ALF) in humans. In this study, we investigated whether cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a cytokine with hepatoprotective properties, could attenuate liver damage and prolong survival in virus-induced ALF. Twenty-four rabbits were infected with 2 × 10(4) hemagglutination units of RHDV. Twelve received five doses of CT-1 (100 μg/kg) starting at 12 h postinfection (hpi) (the first three doses every 6 h and then two additional doses at 48 and 72 hpi), while the rest received saline. The animals were analyzed for survival, serum biochemistry, and viral load. Another cohort (n = 22) was infected and treated similarly, but animals were sacrificed at 30 and 36 hpi to analyze liver histology, viral load, and the expression of factors implicated in liver damage and repair. All infected rabbits that received saline died by 60 hpi, while 67% of the CT-1-treated animals survived until the end of the study. Treated animals showed improved liver function and histology, while the viral loads were similar. In the livers of CT-1-treated rabbits we observed reduction of oxidative stress, diminished PARP1/2 and JNK activation, and decreased inflammatory reaction, as reflected by reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, Toll-like receptor 4, VCAM-1, and MMP-9. In addition, CT-1-treated rabbits exhibited marked upregulation of TIMP-1 and increased expression of cytoprotective and proregenerative growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor B, epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β, and c-Met. In conclusion, in a lethal form of acute viral hepatitis, CT-1 increases animal survival by attenuating inflammation and activating cytoprotective mechanisms, thus representing a promising therapy for ALF of viral origin

Experiencias interdisciplinarias en alimentación y daños a la salud en las fronteras sur y norte de México

Los problemas de salud y alimentación en diferentes contextos como las fronteras sur y norte de México exige de trabajo interdisciplinar, con lenguajes y bases comunes para los grupos académicos. El objetivo de esta ponencia es reflexionar sobre la experiencia del grupo Seminario de “Alimentación y Daños a la Salud” (ADAS), el cual busca consolidar una propuesta de colaboración interinstitucional para el abordaje interdisciplinario de los problemas de salud relacionados con la alimentación y vulnerabilidad social en la frontera sur y norte de México.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Experiencias interdisciplinarias en alimentación y daños a la salud en las fronteras sur y norte de México

Los problemas de salud y alimentación en diferentes contextos como las fronteras sur y norte de México exige de trabajo interdisciplinar, con lenguajes y bases comunes para los grupos académicos. El objetivo de esta ponencia es reflexionar sobre la experiencia del grupo Seminario de “Alimentación y Daños a la Salud” (ADAS), el cual busca consolidar una propuesta de colaboración interinstitucional para el abordaje interdisciplinario de los problemas de salud relacionados con la alimentación y vulnerabilidad social en la frontera sur y norte de México.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Microvesicles in vascular homeostasis and diseases. Position Paper of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Working Group on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology

Microvesicles are members of the family of extracellular vesicles shed from the plasma membrane of activated or apoptotic cells. Microvesicles were initially characterised by their pro-coagulant activity and described as "microparticles". There is mounting evidence revealing a role for microvesicles in intercellular communication, with particular relevance to hemostasis and vascular biology. Coupled with this, the potential of microvesicles as meaningful biomarkers is under intense investigation. This Position Paper will summarise the current knowledge on the mechanisms of formation and composition of microvesicles of endothelial, platelet, red blood cell and leukocyte origin. This paper will also review and discuss the different methods used for their analysis and quantification, will underline the potential biological roles of these vesicles with respect to vascular homeostasis and thrombosis and define important themes for future research

Experiencias interdisciplinarias en alimentación y daños a la salud en las fronteras sur y norte de México

Los problemas de salud y alimentación en diferentes contextos como las fronteras sur y norte de México exige de trabajo interdisciplinar, con lenguajes y bases comunes para los grupos académicos. El objetivo de esta ponencia es reflexionar sobre la experiencia del grupo Seminario de “Alimentación y Daños a la Salud” (ADAS), el cual busca consolidar una propuesta de colaboración interinstitucional para el abordaje interdisciplinario de los problemas de salud relacionados con la alimentación y vulnerabilidad social en la frontera sur y norte de México.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació