“CENTRO DE SIMULACION : UNA HERRAMIENTA PARA MEJORAR LA CALIDAD DE LA ENSEÑANZA DE MATERIAS CLINICAS EN MEDICINA.”

Las condiciones de la educación terciaria en las universidades publicas de Latinoamérica han ido empeorando a lo largo de los años. La elevada matricula, la falta de proyección de los países de sus necesidades de profesionales y los mermados presupuestos estatales han llevado a las instituciones a graves crisis. La Universidad de la Republica (Montevideo), no escapa a esta realidad que azota a la enseñanza terciaria en todo el continente. En este contexto la tradicional enseñanza de las materias clínicas en Medicina se ha resentido paulatinamente a medida que aumentan los problemas locativos, disminuyen las horas docentes y aumenta el numero de estudiantes. En Ginecosbtetricia los problemas consecuentes a la masificación se agravan debido al tipo de pacientes al que los estudiantes deben entrevistar. En este punto el tratar de mantener la ética en la atención médico paciente afectan el proceso de aprendizaje. El presente proyecto implementa la creación de un centro de simulación, e introduce el uso de simuladores al tradicional sistema de enseñanza. El utilizar nuevas estrategias tiene como objetivo generar un cambio de mentalidad en el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje. En el transcurso del siguiente curso del ciclo materno infantil, penúltimo año de la carrera de Doctor en Medicina se implementara la pasantía de los estudiantes por un centro de simulación ginecobstetrica donde se los entrenara en maniobras clínicas semiológicas. Se dividirán los estudiantes en forma aleatorizada en dos grupos, uno de ellos realizara su entrenamiento en el centro de simulación y el otro el curso normal. El entrenamiento del grupo se ejecutara en etapas y se utilizaran: guías clínicas estandarizadas y, los simuladores. Se realizara el seguimiento del aprendizaje por medio de planillas de verificación. Luego del entrenamiento los instructores habilitaran al estudiante a la practica con los pacientes. Mediante la aplicación del método de OSCE, se evaluará la adquisición de destrezas y el manejo clínico en ambos grupos de estudiantes. Esta evaluación inicial nos permitirá objetivar si realmente la implementación de este sistema mejora la calidad y adquisición de los conocimientos y destrezas

Indagini limnologiche nell\u27area antistante la foce del Torrente San Bernardino (sopralluogo del 14 giugno 2010)

No abstract availabl

YAMP:a containerised workflow enabling reproducibility in metagenomics research

YAMP is a user-friendly workflow that enables the analysis of whole shotgun metagenomic data while using containerisation to ensure computational reproducibility and facilitate collaborative research. YAMP can be executed on any UNIX-like system, and offers seamless support for multiple job schedulers as well as for Amazon AWS cloud. Although YAMP has been developed to be ready-to-use by non-experts, bioinformaticians will appreciate its flexibility, modularisation, and simple customisation. The YAMP script, parameters, and documentation are available at https://github.com/alesssia/YAMP.</p

Development of a Digitally Controlled Inductive Power Transfer System with Post-Regulation for Variable Load Demand

none6noInductive Power Transfer (IPT) is an emerging technology enabling a contactless charging process in manifold applications such as electric vehicles, wearable and portable devices, or biomedical applications. Such technology can be profitably used to develop enhanced electronic solutions in the framework of smart cities, homes and smart workplaces. This paper presents the development and realization of a series–series compensated IPT System (IPTS) followed by a post-regulator implemented by means of a DC–DC converter. Such a system is modeled through a first harmonic approximation method, and a sensitivity analysis of the IPTS performance is carried out with respect to the variations of the primary inverter switching frequency and phase-shift angle. As an element of novelty of this work, the bias points are determined which allow the efficiency maximization while ensuring system controllability. An enhanced dynamic modeling of the system is then performed by means of a coupled mode theory, including the inverter phase-shift modulation and extending its validity to whatever operating frequency. A digital control of the post-regulator is implemented by means of a commercial low-cost microcontroller enabling the output voltage regulation under both fixed and variable load conditions through a voltage mode control technique. An IPTS prototype is eventually realized, which is able to correctly perform the output voltage regulation at the desired nominal value of 12 V for static resistive loads in the range [5, 24] W, yielding the output power in the range [6, 28.8]Wand the experimental efficiencies going from 72.1% (for 24 W) to 91.7% (for 5 W). The developed system can also be effectively used to deliver up to 35Woutput power to variable loads, as demonstrated during the battery charging test. Finally, an excellent output voltage regulation is ascertained for load transients between 5 W and 24 W, with limited over- and undershoot amplitudes (less than 3% of the nominal output voltage), thus enabling the use of the proposed system for both fixed and variable loads in the framework of smart homes and workplaces applications.openKateryna Stoyka, Antonio Vitale, Massimo Costarella, Alfonso Avella, Mario Pucciarelli, Paolo ViscontiStoyka, Kateryna; Vitale, Antonio; Costarella, Massimo; Avella, Alfonso; Pucciarelli, Mario; Visconti, Paol

Body site-specific genetic effects influence naevus count distribution in women

Body site is highly relevant for melanoma: it affects prognosis and varies according to the patient's sex. The distribution of naevi, a major risk factor for melanoma, at different body sites also varies according to sex in childhood. Using naevus counts at different body sites in 492 unrelated adults from both sexes, we observed that women have an increased number of naevi on the lower limbs compared to men (P=8.5x10-5 ), showing that a high naevus count on this site persists from childhood throughout life. Then, using data from 3,232 twins, we observed, in women, the lowest naevus count heritability on the trunk (26%), and the highest on the lower limbs (69%). Finally, we showed that, in 2,864 women, six genomic loci previously associated with both naevus count and melanoma risk (IRF4, DOCK8, MTAP, 9q31.2, KITLG, and PLA2G6) have an effect on naevus count that is body site-specific, but whose effect sizes are predominantly stronger on the lower limbs. Sex-specific genetic influence on naevus count at different sites may explain differences in site-specific melanoma incidence as well as prognosis between sexes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.</p

The Platelet-derived Growth Factor Controls c-myc Expression through a JNK- and AP-1-dependent Signaling Pathway *

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, environmental stresses, as well as receptor tyrosine kinases regulate the activity of JNK. In turn, JNK phosphorylates Jun members of the AP-1 family of transcription factors, thereby controlling processes as different as cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Still, very few targets of the JNK-Jun pathway have been identified. Here we show that JNK is required for the induction of c-myc expression by PDGF. Furthermore, we identify a phylogenetically conserved AP-1-responsive element in the promoter of the c-myc proto-oncogene that recruits in vivo the c-Jun and JunD AP-1 family members and controls the PDGF-dependent transactivation of the c-myc promoter. These findings suggest the existence of a novel biochemical route linking tyrosine kinase receptors, such as those for PDGF, and c-myc expression through JNK activation of AP-1 transcription factors. They also provide a novel potential mechanism by which both JNK and Jun proteins may exert either their proliferative or apoptotic potential by stimulating the expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene

Conducting metagenomic studies in microbiology and clinical research

Owing to the increased cost-effectiveness of high-throughput technologies, the number of studies focusing on the human microbiome and its connections to human health and disease has recently surged. However, best practices in microbiology and clinical research have yet to be clearly established. Here, we present an overview of the challenges and opportunities involved in conducting a metagenomic study, with a particular focus on data processing and analytical methods

Effects of liming on soil properties, leaf tissue cation composition and grape yield in a moderately acid vineyard soil. Influence on must and wine quality

[EN] Aims: Soil acidity decreases soil fertility and grapevine growth. Aluminum toxicity has been recognized as one of the most common causes of reduced grape yields in acid vineyard soils. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two liming materials, i.e. dolomitic lime and sugar foam, on a vineyard cultivated in an acid soil. Methods and results: The effects were studied in two soil layers (0-30 and 30-60 cm), as well as on leaf nutrient contents, grape yield, and must and wine quality properties, in a vineyard dedicated to Vitis vinifera L. cv. Mencía cultivation. The data management and analysis were carried out using ANOVA. Conclusion: Sugar foam was more efficient than dolomitic limestone as liming material since it induced the highest decrease in soil acidity properties at the same calcium carbonate equivalent dose. Effects of liming on leaf nutrient contents, grape yield, and must and wine quality properties were barely observed. Significance and impact of the study: Until recently, little was known about the effects of liming on both vine nutritional status and must/wine quality properties. Thus, this research fills an important knowledge gap.SIThis work was funded by the “Excelentísima Diputación Provincial de León”. We are specially grateful to “Losada Vinos de Finca, S.A.” for assistance in the research project

Survival after Locoregional Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cohort Study in Real-World Patients

Evidence of relative effectiveness of local treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is scanty. We investigated, in a retrospective cohort study, whether surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), and transarterial embolization with (TACE) or without (TAE) chemotherapy resulted in different survival in clinical practice. All patients first diagnosed with HCC and treated with any locoregional therapy from 1998 to 2002 in twelve Italian hospitals were eligible. Overall survival (OS) was the unique endpoint. Three main comparisons were planned: RFA versus PEI, surgical resection versus RFA/PEI (combined), TACE/TAE versus RFA/PEI (combined). Propensity score method was used to minimize bias related to non random treatment assignment. Overall 425 subjects were analyzed, with 385 (91%) deaths after a median followup of 7.7 years. OS did not significantly differ between RFA and PEI (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.79–1.57), between surgery and RFA/PEI (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.64–1.41) and between TACE/TAE and RFA/PEI (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.66–1.17). 5-year OS probabilities were 0.14 for RFA, 0.18 for PEI, 0.27 for surgery, and 0.15 for TACE/TAE. No locoregional treatment for HCC was found to be more effective than the comparator. Adequately powered randomized clinical trials are still needed to definitely assess relative effectiveness of locoregional HCC treatment

Comparative Analysis of Information Quality in Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology: Clinicians, Residents, and Large Language Models

Objective: Pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) addresses complex conditions in children, requiring a tailored approach for patients and families. With artificial intelligence (AI) gaining traction in medical applications, this study evaluates the quality of information provided by large language models (LLMs) in comparison to clinicians, identifying strengths and limitations in the field of pediatric ORL. Study Design: Comparative blinded study. Setting: Controlled research environment using LLMs. Methods: Fifty-four items of increasing difficulty, namely 18 theoretical questions, 18 clinical scenarios, and 18 patient questions, were posed to ChatGPT-3.5, -4.0, -4o, Claude-3, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, a second-year resident, and an expert in the field of pediatric ORL. The Quality Analysis of Medical Artificial Intelligence (QAMAI) tool was used for blinded evaluation of the quality of medical information by a panel of expert members from the Young Otolaryngologists Group of the Italian Society of ORL and the International Federation of ORL Societies. Results: LLMs performed comparably to specialist in theoretical and standardized clinical scenarios, with Bing Copilot achieving the highest QAMAI scores. However, AI responses lacked transparency in citing reliable sources and were less effective in addressing patient-centered questions. Poor interrater agreement among reviewers highlighted challenges in distinguishing human-generated from AI-generated responses. Rhinology topics received the highest scores, whereas laryngology and patient-centered questions showed lower agreement and performance. Conclusion: LLMs show promise as supportive resources in pediatric ORL, particularly in theoretical learning and standardized cases. However, significant limitations remain, including source transparency and contextual communication in patient interactions. Human oversight is essential to mitigate risks. Future developments should focus on refining AI capabilities for evidence-based and empathetic communication to support both clinicians and families