Sales education beyond the classroom: building participative learning experiences in Sales Management through the CMGS (Case Method with Guest Speakers)

The overarching goal of working through the CMGS Method (Case Method with Guest Speakers) in Sales Management courses is to provide Business and marketing learners with practical knowledge about how a sales manager can deal with a wide variety of possible professional scenarios. Even when the case method itself is an excellent way to equip students for their prospective employment, the potential of this method can be enhanced with innovative pedagogical tools such as information and communication technologies. Firstly, eight sales managers were invited to the Sales Management Course as guest speakers. Students were required to prepare for these sessions using information and communication technologies, gathering information about the speaker’s sector and identifying areas of special interest. Each speaker shared their hands-on experience and offered an overview of their field in a workshop, while answering the students’ questions. These sessions increased the interaction of students with sales professionals, who presented their insights into a career in sales management. The learning experiences built through these workshops were narrated by the students in the course blog. Secondly, students were asked to present a scientific paper with the aim of bridging the gap between higher education and cutting-edge research. This article portrays the reasoning behind the course as well as the different steps followed during the process. The course finished with encouraging results, suggesting the desirability of incorporating PL (participative learning) experiences into any marketing course

Porcine Colostrum Protects the IPEC-J2 Cells and Piglet Colon Epithelium against Clostridioides (syn. Clostridium) difficile Toxin-Induced Effects

Clostridioides difficile toxins are one of the main causative agents for the clinical symptoms observed during C. difficile infection in piglets. Porcine milk has been shown to strengthen the epithelial barrier function in the piglet’s intestine and may have the potential to neutralise clostridial toxins. We hypothesised that porcine colostrum exerts protective effects against those toxins in the IPEC-J2 cells and in the colon epithelium of healthy piglets. The IPEC-J2 cells were treated with either the toxins or porcine colostrum or their combination. Analyses included measurement of trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), cell viability using propidium iodide by flow cytometry, gene expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins and immune markers, immunofluorescence (IF) histology of the cytoskeleton and a TJ protein assessment. Colon tissue explants from one- and two-week-old suckling piglets and from five-week-old weaned piglets were treated with C. difficile toxins in Ussing chamber assays to assess the permeability to macromolecules (FITC-dextran, HRP), followed by analysis of gene expression of TJ proteins and immune markers. Toxins decreased viability and integrity of IPEC-J2 cells in a time-dependent manner. Porcine colostrum exerted a protective effect against toxins as indicated by TEER and IF in IPEC-J2 cells. Toxins tended to increase paracellular permeability to macromolecules in colon tissues of two-week-old piglets and downregulated gene expression of occludin in colon tissues of five-week-old piglets (p = 0.05). Porcine milk including colostrum, besides other maternal factors, may be one of the important determinants of early immune programming towards protection from C. difficile infections in the offspring

Feeding programmes based on highly-digestible fibre weaning diets: effects on health, growth performance and carcass and meat quality in rabbits

The effect of three different dietary programmes on health, growth performance and carcass and meat quality in young rabbits weaned at 28 d was studied using a diet (F) rich in highly-digestible fibre, from 17 to 63 d of age (group FF); using diet F from 17 to 42 d followed by a diet poor in highly-digestible fibre and rich in starch and fat (S) until 63 d (group FS); and using a standard diet C with intermediate highly-digestible fibre and starch content, containing 100 ppm of zinc-bacitracin, from 17 to 63 d (group CC). A highly-digestible fibre diet could be useful to reduce the incidence of digestive disorders. However, it decreased slaughter weight (2294 g in FF vs. 2406 g in CC; P<0.05) and carcass and meat traits, e.g. dressing out percentage (55.4% in FF vs. 56.7% in CC; P<0.05), meat to bone ratio (5.73 in FF vs. 5.94 in CC; P<0.05) and hind leg fat content (3.81% in FF vs. 4.71% in CC; P<0.05) at 63 d of age. Switching to a high starch and fat diet at late fattening improved chilled carcass weight at 63 d of age (1339 g in FS vs. 1263 g in FF; P<0.05) mainly through the promotion of liver development (7.53% in group FS vs. 6.47% in group FF; P<0.05) and fat deposition (3.89% in FS vs. 2.63% in FF; P<0.05), and increased hind leg fat content (+1.2 points of fat percentage; P<0.05). However, this switch increased health risk (35.1% in FS vs. 17.6% in FF; P<0.05).This study was supported by the Interministerial Commission for Science and Technology (CICYT) from the Spanish Government Grant number AGL2011-30170-C02-01 is gratefully acknowledged. Funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for Madam Pascual's contract (PTA2011-5888-T) is also gratefully acknowledged.Pascual Amorós, MDLD.; Soler Sanchis, MD.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Pla Torres, M.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Blas Ferrer, E. (2014). Feeding programmes based on highly-digestible fibre weaning diets: effects on health, growth performance and carcass and meat quality in rabbits. Livestock Science. 169:88-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.07.007S889516

The drivers of the success of Spanish Canoeing: an analysis of the efficiency of regional federations

Even though canoeing is not a particularly popular sport in Spain, it is one of the Olympic disciplines that has brought much success to the Spanish medal table. This high performance of Spanish canoeing could be attributed to the work of the clubs and regional federations (FFAA) which can optimise the scarce resources available to them, most of which come from public transfers. This study measures the efficiency of the Spanish autonomous canoeing federations (FFAAP) during the 2013-2016 Olympic cycle using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique and the Malmquist index. A second analysis tries to identify the key factors that lead to the efficiency of the federations. The results show that, despite the significant differences between FFAAs, there is no single way to reach efficiency. In general, the availability of resources increases the chances of achieving results, while coaches and internal competition contribute to optimising the performance of available resources. © 2022 Federacion Espanola de Docentes de Educacion Fisica. All rights reserved

Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre and/or neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels: Effects on ileal apparent digestibility and caecal environment of growing rabbits

[EN] The effects of the composition of pen-weaning diets on apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients and caecal environment were studied in growing rabbits. Eight diets were formulated according to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design to increase acid detergent fibre (ADF) from 230 to 290 g kg(-1) dry matter (DM) at the expense of mainly starch, to increase neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) from 145 to 185 g kg(-1) DM at the expense of mainly starch, and to reduce crude protein (CP) content from 175 to 145 g kg(-1) DM. A total of 32 litters of eight kits were randomly assigned to the diets at 17 days of age, weaned at 28 days of age and slaughtered at 35 days of age to collect samples of ileal and caecal contents. The substitution of ADF for starch reduced the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of DM (0.292 vs. 0.229; P <0.01). The substitution of NDSF for starch increased the CAID of NDSF (-0.040 vs. 0.099; P < 0.01). An interaction between dietary ADF and NDSF levels was found for the CAID of CP, higher in the low ADF-low NDSF diets than in the rest (+0.074; P <0.05). The reduction of dietary CP content decreased the CAID of CP (0.578 vs. 0.525; P < 0.05) and NDSF (0.086 vs. -0.038; P <0.01). Interactions between dietary ADF and NDSF levels were found affecting full caecum weight as well as DM content and pH of caecal digesta. The increase of ADF in the high NDSF diets reduced full caecum weight (-9.1 g kg(-1) live weight; P < 0.01), increased DM content of caecal digesta (+31 g kg(-1); P <0.001) and reduced caecal pH (- 0.10; P < 0.05). In the low NDSF diets, higher ADF increased DM content of caecal digesta to a lesser extent (+16 g kg(-1); P < 0.001) and increased caecal pH (+0.08; P <0.05). The increase of NDSF in the high ADF diets increased full caecum weight (+8.5 g kg(-1) live weight; P <0.01) and reduced caecal pH (-0.14; P <0.001). In the low ADF diets, higher NDSF increased full caecum weight more extensively (+15.5 g kg(-1) live weight; P < 0.001) and reduced DM content of caecal digesta (-16 g kg(-1); P <0.001). Both ADF and NDSF replacing starch increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of caecal digesta (+11.5% and +13.9%, respectively; P < 0.01). The replacement with NDSF increased molar proportion of butyrate (0.095 vs. 0.112; P <0.001) at the expense of mainly acetate (0.841 vs. 0.820; P <0.001) and reduced ammonia concentration of caecal digesta (-8.1%; P < 0.05). The reduction of dietary CP content decreased total VFA (-14.4%; P < 0.001) and ammonia (-23.5%; P < 0.001) concentrations of caecal digesta and increased caecal pH (5.87 vs. 5.93; P <0.05). Overall, the three dietary changes under study led to changes in the caecal environment which might be effective in reducing mortality rate in a context of rabbit epizootic enteropathy. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Financial support was provided by the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia of Spain (Proyecto AGL2006-07596). Authors thank J. Garcia from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (Spain) for the analyses of ytterbium.Martínez Vallespín, B.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Moya, V.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Blas Ferrer, E. (2013). Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre and/or neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels: Effects on ileal apparent digestibility and caecal environment of growing rabbits. Livestock Science. 154(1-3):123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.02.012S1231301541-

Grupos de Expertos de Cáncer del PAPPS. Recomendaciones de Prevención del Cáncer. Actualización PAPPS 2020

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are some of the lifestyle risk factors that have led to an increase in cancer. This article updates the evidence, and includes recommendations for prevention strategies for each of the cancers with the highest incidence. These are based on the reduction of risk factors (primary prevention) and early diagnosis of cancer through screening and early detection of signs and symptoms, in medium-risk and high-risk populations

Combined feeding of rabbit female and young: Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre or/and neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels

To evaluate the effects of the composition of weaning diets used for combined feeding both on the performance and body condition of rabbit does and on the growth and health of young rabbits, eight experimental diets were formulated according to a factorial design 2×2×2, the three factors being: i) partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre (ADF), ii) partial replacement of starch with neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) and iii) reduction of the crude protein (CP) content from 175 to 145g kg-1 dry matter (DM). The study involved 138 rabbit does and 318 litters fed experimental diets from 17th to 28th day of lactation (weaning). Thereafter, 2371 weaned rabbits (784 in individual cages and 1587 in collective ones) continued receiving the same experimental diets until 49days of age and a commercial finishing diet until 60days of age. Replacing starch with ADF increased feed intake of does (+26±5g DM day-1, P<0.001) but, only with high CP diets, impaired their milk yield (-15±6g day-1, P<0.01) and perirenal fat thickness (PFT) change (-0.41±0.13mm, P<0.01), as well as litter weight at weaning (-154±52g, P<0.01); from weaning to 49days of age, this replacement increased feed intake (+14±2g DM day-1, P<0.001) and impaired live weight gain (-1.6±0.7g day-1, P<0.05), but reduced mortality rate (-10.2%, P<0.001). Replacing starch with NDSF reduced feed intake of does, in greater extent with high CP diets (-34±6g DM day-1, P<0.001) than with low CP diets (-19±7g DM day-1, P<0.01), as well as their milk yield (-16±4g day-1, P<0.001), with impairing PFT change only with high CP diets (-0.30±0.13mm, P<0.05); litter feed intake and weight at weaning were also negatively affected (-14.4±2.5g DM day-1, -202±38g, P<0.001); from weaning to 49days of age, this replacement reduced feed intake (-8±2g DM day-1, P<0.001), impaired live weight gain only with low CP diets (-2.3±1.0g day-1, P<0.05) and reduced mortality rate (-15.1%, P<0.001). Reducing CP content affected negatively feed intake of does (-22±5g DM day-1, P<0.001), as well as their milk yield, this impairment being more important with more starch-less ADF diets (-24±5g day-1, P<0.001) than with less starch-more ADF diets (-13±6g day-1, P<0.05), and, only with more starch-less ADF diets, PFT change (-0.36±0.13mm, P<0.01); litter feed intake was affected negatively (-20.1±2.4g DM day-1, P<0.001), as well as litter weight at weaning, in great extent when fed more starch-less ADF diets (-581±52g, P<0.001) than when fed less starch-more ADF diets (-403±54g, P<0.001); from weaning to 49days of age, this dietary change reduced feed intake (-6±2g DM day-1, P<0.001) and impaired live weight gain (-5.0±0.7g, P<0.001), but reduced mortality rate (-19.9%, P<0.001). Overall, the three dietary changes under study impaired milk yield, body condition of does and litter weight at weaning, although the negative effect of replacing starch with ADF was only observed in the high CP diets; moreover, growth during post-weaning period also decreased. However, in an Epizootic Rabbit Enteropathy context, mortality rate during this period was reduced by these three dietary changes, which effects seemed additive. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia (Proyecto AGL2006-07596).Martínez Vallespín, B.; Martinez-Paredes, E.; Ródenas Martínez, L.; Cervera Fras, MC.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.; Blas Ferrer, E. (2011). Combined feeding of rabbit female and young: Partial replacement of starch with acid detergent fibre or/and neutral detergent soluble fibre at two protein levels. Livestock Science. 141(2-3):155-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.05.014S1551651412-

Recomendaciones de prevención del cáncer. Actualización PAPPS 2018

La comisión del Lancet Oncology, integrada por médicos e investigadores de atención primaria (AP), sobre la base de la evidencia científica y argumentos amplios y exhaustivos, ha elaborado un informe sobre la importancia cada vez mayor de la AP en el control del cáncer, desde la prevención hasta el seguimiento después del tratamiento, o en la atención de final de vida1. El informe de la comisión señala la necesidad de modelos de atención integrados, coordinados y acordados entre niveles asistenciales1. En la figura 1 se presenta, a modo de ejemplo, el modelo compartido propuesto por el Cancer Care Manitoba de Canadá2. Destaca la influencia de los profesionales de AP en facilitar estrategias de prevención dirigidas a modificar los estilos de vida y factores de riesgo de cáncer conocidos1. También señala que, cuando los médicos de familia se involucran en los programas de cribado, las tasas de participación aumentan1. Otro elemento en el que incide el informe es en que, para conseguir un diagnóstico de cáncer más precoz, el médico de familia debe tener un mejor acceso a las pruebas diagnósticas y disponer de herramientas de apoyo a las decisiones clínicas a través de la historia clínica informatizada1. Asimismo, apunta la necesidad de ofrecer una atención holística integral que cubra las consecuencias físicas y psicológicas de las personas que han sobrevivido al cáncer. En este artículo, el grupo de Prevención del Cáncer del Programa de Prevención y Promoción de la Salud (PAPPS) de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (semFYC)3 actualiza las evidencias y recomendaciones sobre prevención y detección precoz del cáncer en población de riesgo medio y de riesgo elevado. Para clasificar la calidad de la evidencia y la fuerza de las recomendaciones, se ha utilizado el sistema GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation

Recomendaciones de prevención del cáncer. Actualización 2016

En este artículo presentamos una nueva actualización de las recomendaciones sobre prevención y cribados del cáncer del Grupo de Prevención del Cáncer del Programa de Prevención y Promoción de la Salud (PAPPS) de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria (semFYC). Para la síntesis de la evidencia y la formulación de las recomendaciones hemos utilizado el sistema GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). GRADE define la fuerza de una recomendación en términos de la confianza que tenemos en que los desenlaces deseados de una intervención (p. ej., los beneficios) sean superiores a los indeseados (p. ej., los inconvenientes y los efectos adversos). En una recomendación a favor, los efectos deseados de una intervención frente a otra superan a los no deseados. En una recomendación en contra, los efectos no deseados superan a los efectos deseados. Ambas recomendaciones pueden ser a su vez fuertes, cuando podemos confiar en que habrá un balance favorable entre efectos deseados y no deseados de una intervención frente a otra, o, por el contrario, débiles, si hay incertidumbre sobre ese balance. Para elaborar las recomendaciones se ha tenido en cuenta la calidad de la evidencia científica, el balance entre beneficios y riesgos, el riesgo basal, los valores y preferencias de las personas y los costes. Las recomendaciones se han valorado desde la perspectiva individual y poblacional. Las personas deben estar informadas de los beneficios y riesgos del cribado. Los valores y preferencias personales son clave a la hora de tomar una decisión: algunas personas le darán mucho valor a los posibles beneficios (p. ej., reducción de la mortalidad), pero otras querrán evitar los riesgos del sobrediagnóstico y sobretratamiento y los posibles perjuicios sobre su calidad de vida. Las recomendaciones propuestas tienen como referencia las revisiones de la US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) y la Canadian Task Force (CTF) instituciones de referencia en la elaboración de recomendaciones de prevención en el contexto de la atención primaria (AP), y el National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Las recomendaciones sobre cribados de cáncer de la USPSTF se pueden consultar en el monográfico de 2014. La USPSTF actualmente está revisando las recomendaciones de cáncer de mama, cuello uterino, próstata y cáncer de piel5. Todas estas instituciones siguen o han adaptado la metodología propuesta por GRADE. Asimismo, se ha tenido en cuenta las directrices de la Estrategia de Cáncer del Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), actualmente en proceso de revisión

The syndrome of central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism: IGSF1 controls TRHR and FSHB expression by differential modulation of pituitary TGFβ and Activin pathways

IGSF1 (Immunoglobulin Superfamily 1) gene defects cause central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease remain unclear. Based on a patient with a full deletion of IGSF1 clinically followed from neonate to adulthood, we investigated a common pituitary origin for hypothyroidism and macroorchidism, and the role of IGSF1 as regulator of pituitary hormone secretion. The patient showed congenital central hypothyroidism with reduced TSH biopotency, over-secretion of FSH at neonatal minipuberty and macroorchidism from 3 years of age. His markedly elevated inhibin B was unable to inhibit FSH secretion, indicating a status of pituitary inhibin B resistance. We show here that IGSF1 is expressed both in thyrotropes and gonadotropes of the pituitary and in Leydig and germ cells in the testes, but at very low levels in Sertoli cells. Furthermore, IGSF1 stimulates transcription of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) by negative modulation of the TGFβ1-Smad signaling pathway, and enhances the synthesis and biopotency of TSH, the hormone secreted by thyrotropes. By contrast, IGSF1 strongly down-regulates the activin-Smad pathway, leading to reduced expression of FSHB, the hormone secreted by gonadotropes. In conclusion, two relevant molecular mechanisms linked to central hypothyroidism and macroorchidism in IGSF1 deficiency are identified, revealing IGSF1 as an important regulator of TGFβ/Activin pathways in the pituitary