New insights into the mechanisms of prebiotics and microbiota on intestinal defense

Tesis Univ. Granada. Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I

Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the tutoring system in the pharmacy degree

El EEES ha supuesto una nueva filosofía en la Educación Superior, centrada sustancialmente en el autoaprendizaje, donde la tutorización del alumno es una herramienta necesaria y práctica para dicho aprendizaje. Un grupo de alumnos de posgrado de la Facultad de Farmacia está participando en un proyecto que tiene por objeto la coordinación y seguimiento de un programa de tutoría dirigido a alumnos de primer ciclo. Con el artículo se pretende poner de manifiesto las fortalezas, debilidades y oportunidades de esta experiencia desde la perspectiva de los tutores participantes en dicho proyecto basándose en la experiencia adquirida en el trabajo desarrollado. Como fortalezas destaca la buena disposición por parte de los alumnos y tutores, el grado de dedicación y esfuerzo realizado por parte del alumno y la relación de cercanía entre alumno y tutor, lo cual es atribuido fundamentalmente a que los tutores somos alumnos de posgrado. Por otra parte nuestra experiencia como alumnos de la Titulación es muy reciente lo que supone una ventaja a la hora de organizar las tareas de los alumnos. Entre las debilidades, indicar que esta experiencia se ha visto limitada, en algunas ocasiones, por la dificultad de coincidencia de agendas entre alumno y tutor. Este sistema de tutorización supone la oportunidad de utilizar la experiencia y el potencial organizativo de los tutores para ponerlo al servicio de los alumnos. Además los tutores participan en el aprendizaje del alumno lo que puede suponer otra oportunidad para los tutores como futuros docentes de la Titulación.The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is a new philosophy in Higher Education, which focuses significantly on self-learning, utilizing peer tutoring as a key component for such learning. A group of postgraduate students from the Faculty of Pharmacy are taking part in the project that aims to coordinate a mentoring program focused on undergraduates students. With this article we will highlight the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of this peer tutoring project from the perspective of the tutors participating in the project. The strengths of the project lie in the collaborative work relationship between the students and tutors, the dedication and effort made by the students themselves and the close mentor relationship that is formed throughout the project. In addition our experience as recent graduates is an advantage to helping organize the students´ work. One of the challenges in the peer tutoring project is the difficulty in coordinate the schedules of the students and tutors. This tutoring system is an opportunity to use the experience and the organizational potential of the tutors for the benefit of the students. Overall, this is a mutual opportunity not only for student´s learning but also it is an opportunity for the tutors to gain valuable experience as teachers

Germ-free and Antibiotic-treated Mice are Highly Susceptible to Epithelial Injury in DSS Colitis

Background and Aims: Intestinal microbiota is required to maintain immune homeostasis and intestinal barrier function. At the same time, intraluminal bacteria are considered to be involved in inflammatory bowel disease and are required for colitis induction in animal models, with the possible exception of dextran sulphate sodium [DSS] colitis. This study was carried out to ascertain the mechanism underlying the induction of colitis by DSS in the absence of bacteria. Methods: Conventional and germ-free [GF] Naval Medical Research Institute [NMRI] mice were used, plus conventional mice treated with an antibiotic cocktail to deplete the intestinal microbiota [‘pseudo-GF’ or PGF mice]. The differential response to DSS was assessed. Results: Conventional mice developed DSS-induced colitis normally, whereas GF mice showed only minimal inflammation [no colonic thickening, lower myeloperoxidase activity, IL-6, IL-17, TNF- α, and IFN-γ secretion by splenocytes and mesenteric cell cultures, etc.]. However, these mice suffered enhanced haemorrhage, epithelial injury and mortality as a consequence of a weakened intestinal barrier, as shown by lower occludin, claudin 4, TFF3, MUC3, and IL-22. In contrast, PGF mice had a relatively normal, albeit attenuated, inflammatory response, but were less prone to haemorrhage and epithelial injury than GF mice. This was correlated with an increased expression of IL-10 and Foxp3 and preservation barrier-related markers. Conclusions: We conclude that enteric bacteria are essential for the development of normal DSSinduced colitis. The absence of microbiota reduces DSS colonic inflammation dramatically but it also impairs barrier function, whereas subtotal microbiota depletion has intermediate effects at both levels.Ministerio de Economía y Competividad [Spain]European Union (EU) SAF2008-01432 AGL2008-04332 SAF2011-22922 SAF2011-22812 BFU2014-57736-P AGL2014-58883-RFundación Ramón Areces [Spain]Junta de Andalucía CTS164 CTS235 CTS6736Ministerio de Educación [Spain]Swedish Research CouncilInstituto de Salud Carlos IIISpanish GovernmentEuropean Union (EU) BFU2007-30688-E/BF