Wiki Support for Automated Definition of Software Test Cases

The design of tests is a very important step in the software development process since it allows us to match the users’ expectations with the finished product. Considered as a cumbersome activity, efforts have been made to automatize and alleviate the burden of test generation, but it is still a largely neglected step. We propose taking advantage of existing requirement artifacts, like Scenarios that describe the dynamic of the domain in a very early stage of software development, to obtain tests from them. In particular, the approach proposed complement the Scenarios that are textually described with a glossary, the Language Extended Lexicon. Thus, a set of rules to derive tests from Scenarios is also proposed. The tests are then described using the Task/Method model. The main findings of this work consist of an extension of a previously presented set of rules. And a tool based on a media wiki platform that makes possible to record Scenarios and the Language Extended Lexicon and implement the rules to obtain the tests. The main originality of this work is the glossary which complements Scenarios, the semantic support to obtain tests and the tool to automatize the approach.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Wiki Support for Automated Definition of Software Test Cases

The design of tests is a very important step in the software development process since it allows us to match the users’ expectations with the finished product. Considered as a cumbersome activity, efforts have been made to automatize and alleviate the burden of test generation, but it is still a largely neglected step. We propose taking advantage of existing requirement artifacts, like Scenarios that describe the dynamic of the domain in a very early stage of software development, to obtain tests from them. In particular, the approach proposed complement the Scenarios that are textually described with a glossary, the Language Extended Lexicon. Thus, a set of rules to derive tests from Scenarios is also proposed. The tests are then described using the Task/Method model. The main findings of this work consist of an extension of a previously presented set of rules. And a tool based on a media wiki platform that makes possible to record Scenarios and the Language Extended Lexicon and implement the rules to obtain the tests. The main originality of this work is the glossary which complements Scenarios, the semantic support to obtain tests and the tool to automatize the approach.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Systemic treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

El penfigoide cicatrizal ocular (PCO) es una enfermedad ampollar autoinmune que produce daño conjuntival grave. Se conoce poco acerca de la respuesta del PCO al tratamiento inmunosupresor. Describimos un grupo de 76 pacientes con PCO, 62 mujeres y 14 hombres. La edad media al diagnóstico fue de 67 ± 14 años, con un retraso de 7.5 ± 10 años. Sesenta se siguieron en nuestro servicio por 19 ± 21 meses. De 51 en quienes se describe la gravedad de la enfermedad al inicio del tratamiento, fue leve en 19 pacientes, moderada en 19, grave en cinco y muy grave en ocho. Las drogas mayormente prescriptas fueron dapsona en 35 pacientes, de los que 23 la discontinuaron por efectos adversos, y metotrexate en 42, de los que nueve lo suspendieron. Otros recibieron azatioprina, ciclofosfamida y ciclosporina. A 17 se les indicaron corticoides orales, además del inmunosupresor. Cuatro combinaron dos drogas para controlar la enfermedad. Tres pacientes refractarios recibieron gammaglobulina EV con buena respuesta. De 48 evaluados, 39 mostraron mejoría, ocho no tuvieron cambios y uno progresó. En nuestra experiencia, metotrexate y azatioprina son efectivos, con baja toxicidad. Dapsona es útil en casos leves, con efectos adversos frecuentes. La gammaglobulina EV fue efectiva en casos refractarios.Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a blistering autoimmune disease that can produce severe conjunctival damage. Its response to immunosuppressive treatment is poorly known. We describe a group of 76 patients, 62 women and 14 men. Mean age at diagnosis was 67±14 years old, with a delay to diagnosis of 7.5±10 years. Sixty patients continued their follow up in our services for 19±21 months. Nineteen out of 51 had mild disease, 19 moderate, 5 severe and 8 very severe at onset of treatment. The more frequently prescribed drugs were dapsone, in 35 (23 discontinued it because of adverse effects), and methotrexate in 42 patients, nine of them stopped it. Other patients received azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and ciclosporine. Seventeen received oral steroids in addition to immunosuppresive drugs. Four patients combined two immunosupressive drugs to control their disease. In three refractory cases IV immunoglobulin (Ig) was administered with good response. From 48 evaluated patients, 39 improved with treatment, eight remained stable and one progressed. In our experience, methotrexate and azathioprine were effective drugs, with low toxicity. Dapsone was useful in mild cases, with frequent adverse effects. IVIg was effective for refractory cases.Fil: Juri, María Cecilia. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Romero, Diego S.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Devoto, Martín H.. No especifíca;Fil: Georgiett, Daniel. No especifíca;Fil: Zarate, Jorge Omar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Malbrán, Alejandro. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Micromorphology and ultrastructure of anthers and pollen grains in ten elite genotypes of Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae)

Introducción: a pesar de que T. cacao es una especie importante a nivel mundial por la producción de cacao, es poco lo que se conoce sobre la micromorfología y estructura de las anteras y los granos de polen. Objetivos: Describir y analizar la estructura y micromorfología de las anteras y los granos de polen de 10 genotipos élite de esta importante especie tropical. Métodos: Se tomaron más de 30 anteras de flores en antesis de los 10 genotipos élite de T. cacao del banco de germoplasma ex situ del Centro de Investigaciones Suiza-Agrosavia (Rionegro, Santander-Colombia). El material se procesó de acuerdo con los protocolos estándar para embeber y seccionar en parafina. Las secciones obtenidas (3 μm) se tiñeron con azul de Safranina-Alcian para discriminar estructuras con paredes primarias y secundarias y polifenoles totales. Además, se usó la técnica PAS-Amidoblack para diferenciar entre poli- sacáridos estructurales y de reserva, así como proteínas. Para la determinación de esporopolenina y polifenoles se usó la tinción azul de toluidina y finalmente para descrip - ciones adicionales se aplicó la tinción azul alcián-PAS- hematoxilina. Las observaciones se realizaron mediante microscopio fotónico y microscopio de epifluorescencia. Para la observación con microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), las anteras con los granos de polen se fijaron y deshidrataron en 2.2 dimetoxipropano, luego se desecaron hasta un punto crítico y finalmente se recubrieron con oro. Resultados: las anteras son bitecas y están sostenidas por un largo filamento formado por un estrato epidérmico, tejido parenquimatoso y un haz vascular. La dehiscencia ocurre longitudinalmente a través del estomio. La pared de la antera madura está formada por una capa epidérmica monoestratificada, una capa de células endoteliales con engrosamientos fibrilares lignificados y se pueden apreciar restos celulares del tapete y abundantes orbículas recu - briendo la cavidad de los microesporangios. Los tejidos epidérmicos y parenquimatosos de las anteras almacenan polifenoles. Las orbículas son generalmente esféricas, psiladas y exhiben las mismas reacciones de tinción y fluo- rescencia que la exina de los granos de polen. Los granos de polen son mónades, isopolares, pequeños (16-19 μm) con amb circular, esferoidales, tricolpados con colpos medianos o cortos (5-10 μm) con membrana ornamentada, semitectatos, reticulados, heterobrochados, las paredes del retículo ornamentadas o no, con microgránulos de diferente tamaño o escabrados. Los análisis estadísticos mostraron que existen diferencias significativas en el tamaño de los granos de polen (P ˂ 0.05). Se observa que los granos de polen más pequeños son los del genotipo TCS 19 (16.890 μm) y se diferencian del resto de genotipos, y entre estos no se observan diferencias significativas. Solo dos genotipos (SCC 19 y SCA 6) presentaron polenkit y solo uno tiene paredes perforadas (SCA 6). Conclusiones: la estructura y micromorfología de las anteras de T. cacao son similares a las descritas para otras Malvaceae. Así mismo, los granos de polen mostraron variaciones de tamaño, ornamentación de las paredes y del lumen del retículo y presencia de polenkit. Sin embargo, no se observó relación entre las variaciones de los caracteres micromorfológicos analizados en los granos de polen y los modelos de compatibilidad polínica reportados para estos genotipos.Introduction: Despite the fact that T. cacao is an important species worldwide for cocoa production, little is known about the micromorphology and structure of anthers and pollen grains. Objectives: To describe and analyze the structure and micromorphology of the anthers and pollen grains of 10 elite genotypes of this important tropical species. Methods: More than 30 anthers of flowers in anthesis were taken of the 10 elite genotypes of T. cacao from the ex situ germplasm bank of the Suiza-Agrosavia Research Center (Rionegro, Santander-Colombia). The anthers with the pollen grains were fixated and processed according to the standard protocols for embedding and sectioning in paraffin. Sections obtained (3 μm thick) were stained with Safranin-Alcian blue to discriminate structures with primary and secondary walls and total polyphenols. Additionally, the samples were also stained with the PAS-Amidoblack technique was used to differentiate between structural and reserve polysaccharides as well as proteins. Toluidine blue staining was used for the determination of sporopollenin and polyphenols and finally Alcian blue-PAS-Hematoxylin staining was applied for additional descriptions. Observations were made using photonic microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. For observation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the anthers with the pollen grains were fixed and dehydrated in 2.2 Dimethoxypropane, then desiccated to critical point and finally coated with gold. Results: the anthers are dithecal and supported by a long filament made up of an epidermal stratum, parenchymal tissue, and a vascular bundle. The dehiscence occurs longitudinally through the stomium. The anther wall is made up of a monostratified epidermal layer, followed by a layer of endothecial cells with lignified fibrillar thickenings, cellular remnants of tapetum and abundant orbicules can be seen covering the cavity of the microsporangia. The epidermal and parenchymal tissues of the anthers are abundant in polyphenols. Orbicules are generally spherical, psilated, and these exhibit the same staining and fluorescence reactions as exine from pollen grains. The pollen grains are monades, isopolar, small (16-19 µm) with circular amb, spheroidal, tricolpate with medium or short colpi (5-10 µm) with sculptured membrane, semitectate, reticulated, heterobrochate, sculptured or non- sculptured walls, with microgranules of different size or scabrate. The statistical analyzes showed that there are significant differences in the size of the pollen grains (P ˂ 0.05). It is observed that the smallest pollen grains are those of the TCS 19 genotype (16.890 µm) and are different from the other genotypes, and among these there are no significant differences. Only two genotypes (SCC 19 and SCA 6) Observable pollenkitt and only one has perforated walls (SCA 6). Conclusions: The structure and micromorphology of the anthers of T. cacao are similar to those described for other Malvaceae. Likewise, the pollen grains showed variations in size, ornamentation of the sporoderm and the lumen of the reticulum and the presence of pollenkitt. However, no relationship was observed between the micromorphological characters analyzed in the pollen grains and the pollen compatibility models reported for these genotypes.Laboratorio de Estudios de Anatomía Vegetal Evolutiva y Sistemátic

Tool support for Generating User Acceptance Tests

Software testing, in particular acceptance testing, is a very important step in the development process of any application since it represents a way of matching the users’ expectations with the finished product´s capabilities. Typically considered as a cumbersome activity, many efforts have been made to alleviate the burden of writing tests by, for instance, trying to generate them automatically. However, testing still remains a largely neglected step. In this paper we propose taking advantage of existing requirement artifacts to semi-automatically generate acceptance tests. This paper extends a previous paper in which we use Scenarios, a requirement artifact used to describe business processes and requirements, and Task/Method models, a modelling approach taken from the Artificial Intelligence field. The proposed approach derives a Task/Method model from Scenario (through rules) and from the Task/Method model specification, all alternatives in the flow of execution are provided. Using the proposed ideas, we show how the semi-automated generation of acceptance tests can be implemented by describing an ongoing development of a proof of concept web application designed to support the full process.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

An extension to scenarios to deal with business cases for the decision-making processes in the agribusiness domain

With the aim of pushing innovation through information and communication technology in the agri-business field, working closely with farmers is essential. It is especially important to systematically capture their knowledge in order to analyze, propose and design innovation artifacts (in terms of software applications). In this article, we use Scenarios to capture the knowledge of the experts that is elicited in early meetings previous to the definition of requirements. At those early stages, there are many uncertainties, and we are particularly interested in decision support. Thus, we propose an extension of the Scenarios for dealing with uncertainties. Scenarios are described in natural language, and it is very important to have an unbiased vocabulary. We complement Scenarios with a specific glossary, the Language Extended Lexicon that is also extended to decision support. According to V-model life cycle, every stage has a testing related stage. Thus, we also propose a set of rules to derive tests from the Scenarios. Summing up, we propose (i) an extension to Scenarios and the Language Extended Lexicon templates, (ii) a set of rules to derive tests, and (iii) an application to support the proposed technique. We have applied the proposed approach in a couple of case studies and we are confident that the results are promising. Nevertheless, we need to perform a further exhaustive validation.Laboratorio de Investigación y Formación en Informática Avanzad

Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Cellular Populations of the Central Nervous System: The Influence of Donor Age

first_page settings Open AccessArticle Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Cellular Populations of the Central Nervous System: The Influence of Donor Age by Diego Delgado 1, Ane Miren Bilbao 2, Maider Beitia 1, Ane Garate 1, Pello Sánchez 1, Imanol González-Burguera 3,4, Amaia Isasti 4,5, Maider López De Jesús 4,5,6, Jone Zuazo-Ibarra 7, Alejandro Montilla 7 [OrcID] , María Domercq 7 [OrcID] , Estibaliz Capetillo-Zarate 7,8, Gontzal García del Caño 3,4 [OrcID] , Joan Sallés 4,5,6, Carlos Matute 7 and Mikel Sánchez 1,2,* 1 Advanced Biological Therapy Unit, Hospital Vithas Vitoria, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain 2 Arthroscopic Surgery Unit, Hospital Vithas Vitoria, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain 3 Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain 4 Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain 5 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01008 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain 6 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain 7 Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, CIBERNED and Departamento de Neurociencias, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain 8 IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Academic Editor: Francesca Santilli Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041725 Received: 24 November 2020 / Revised: 12 January 2021 / Accepted: 3 February 2021 / Published: 9 February 2021 (This article belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism) Download PDF Browse Figures Citation Export Abstract Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biologic therapy that promotes healing responses across multiple medical fields, including the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of this therapy depends on several factors such as the donor’s health status and age. This work aims to prove the effect of PRP on cellular models of the CNS, considering the differences between PRP from young and elderly donors. Two different PRP pools were prepared from donors 65–85 and 20–25 years old. The cellular and molecular composition of both PRPs were analyzed. Subsequently, the cellular response was evaluated in CNS in vitro models, studying proliferation, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and inflammation. While no differences in the cellular composition of PRPs were found, the molecular composition of the Young PRP showed lower levels of inflammatory molecules such as CCL-11, as well as the presence of other factors not found in Aged PRP (GDF-11). Although both PRPs had effects in terms of reducing neural progenitor cell apoptosis, stabilizing neuronal synapses, and decreasing inflammation in the microglia, the effect of the Young PRP was more pronounced. In conclusion, the molecular composition of the PRP, conditioned by the age of the donors, affects the magnitude of the biological response.This work was funded by the Provincial Council of Alava through the AlavaInnova Program, Basque Government through the GAITEK Program, Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (CTQ2017-85686-R), Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (PID2019-109724RB-I00), Basque Government (IT1203-19, IT1230-19, and KK-2020/00034) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED)

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Systemic treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

El penfigoide cicatrizal ocular (PCO) es una enfermedad ampollar autoinmune que produce daño conjuntival grave. Se conoce poco acerca de la respuesta del PCO al tratamiento inmunosupresor. Describimos un grupo de 76 pacientes con PCO, 62 mujeres y 14 hombres. La edad media al diagnóstico fue de 67 ± 14 años, con un retraso de 7.5 ± 10 años. Sesenta se siguieron en nuestro servicio por 19 ± 21 meses. De 51 en quienes se describe la gravedad de la enfermedad al inicio del tratamiento, fue leve en 19 pacientes, moderada en 19, grave en cinco y muy grave en ocho. Las drogas mayormente prescriptas fueron dapsona en 35 pacientes, de los que 23 la discontinuaron por efectos adversos, y metotrexate en 42, de los que nueve lo suspendieron. Otros recibieron azatioprina, ciclofosfamida y ciclosporina. A 17 se les indicaron corticoides orales, además del inmunosupresor. Cuatro combinaron dos drogas para controlar la enfermedad. Tres pacientes refractarios recibieron gammaglobulina EV con buena respuesta. De 48 evaluados, 39 mostraron mejoría, ocho no tuvieron cambios y uno progresó. En nuestra experiencia, metotrexate y azatioprina son efectivos, con baja toxicidad. Dapsona es útil en casos leves, con efectos adversos frecuentes. La gammaglobulina EV fue efectiva en casos refractarios.Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a blistering autoimmune disease that can produce severe conjunctival damage. Its response to immunosuppressive treatment is poorly known. We describe a group of 76 patients, 62 women and 14 men. Mean age at diagnosis was 67±14 years old, with a delay to diagnosis of 7.5±10 years. Sixty patients continued their follow up in our services for 19±21 months. Nineteen out of 51 had mild disease, 19 moderate, 5 severe and 8 very severe at onset of treatment. The more frequently prescribed drugs were dapsone, in 35 (23 discontinued it because of adverse effects), and methotrexate in 42 patients, nine of them stopped it. Other patients received azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and ciclosporine. Seventeen received oral steroids in addition to immunosuppresive drugs. Four patients combined two immunosupressive drugs to control their disease. In three refractory cases IV immunoglobulin (Ig) was administered with good response. From 48 evaluated patients, 39 improved with treatment, eight remained stable and one progressed. In our experience, methotrexate and azathioprine were effective drugs, with low toxicity. Dapsone was useful in mild cases, with frequent adverse effects. IVIg was effective for refractory cases.Fil: Juri, María Cecilia. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Romero, Diego S.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Devoto, Martín H.. No especifíca;Fil: Georgiett, Daniel. No especifíca;Fil: Zarate, Jorge Omar. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Malbrán, Alejandro. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires. Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Serie estudios y evaluaciones de ciencia, tecnología e innovación Nº 012014

El estudio busca compilar y analizar la información disponible sobre beneficiarios y no beneficiarios directos e indirectos del Programa Ondas a nivel regional en una única base de datos nacional y homogénea que permita estudiar los resultados del programa. De igual forma, el estudio establece el diseño de un sistema de seguimiento y monitoreo, con indicadores que permitan la evaluación de resultados e impacto del Programa Ondas. Como resultado se presenta un levantamiento de línea de base para el Programa Ondas desde el 2001 hasta el 2013, se realiza adicionalmente una batería de indicadores de resultados, productos e impactos, y un primer ejercicio de impacto a través de un análisis de diferencia de medias con las Pruebas Saber.Departamento Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación - COLCIENCIA