¿Estudiar los castillos sin excavarlos? propuestas y métodos de investigación aplicados a los montes occidentales de Granada

Jornadas de Jóvenes en Investigación Arqueológica, JIA (3as : 5-7 de mayo 2010 : Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Sesión 9. La explicación de la Edad Media a través de la Arqueología.Frente a la dramática y creciente ausencia de excavaciones sistemáticas en los castillos de Al-Andalus, este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las problemáticas que se encuentran al intentar comprender las funciones y papel de los castillos en la organización territorial. De aquí, las necesidades que surgen de abrir nuevas vías de investigación que permitan acceder a informaciones no frecuentemente utilizadas, posibilitando de esta manera la mejor comprensión de estas fortalezas.Before the dramatic absence of systematic excavations inside al-Andalus fortresses, the aim of this paper is to present the issues found when trying to understand the role and function of the castles within the territorial organization. Therefore, it is necessary to open new ways of approaching this kind of research, in order to achieve information which is not normally used; thus making a better understanding of these fortresses possible.Davant la dramàtica i creixent absència d'excavacions sistemàtiques en els castells d'Al-Andalus, aquest article té com a objectiu presentar les problemàtiques que es troben a l'hora d'intentar comprendre les funcions i papers dels castells en l'organització territorial. D'aquí, les necessitats que sorgeixen d'obrir noves vies d'investigació que permetin accedir a informacions no freqüentment usades, possibilitant d'aquesta manera la millor comprensió d'aquestes fortaleses

Role of Prion protein-EGFR multimolecular complex during neuronal differentiation of human dental pulp-derived stem cells

Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is expressed in a wide variety of stem cells in which regulates their self-renewal as well as differentiation potential. In this study we investigated the presence of PrPCin human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) and its role in neuronal differentiation process. We show that hDPSCs expresses early PrPCat low concentration and its expression increases after two weeks of treatment with EGF/bFGF. Then, we analyzed the association of PrPCwith gangliosides and EGF receptor (EGF-R) during neuronal differentiation process. PrPCassociates constitutively with GM2 in control hDPSCs and with GD3 only after neuronal differentiation. Otherwise, EGF-R associates weakly in control hDPSCs and more markedly after neuronal differentiation. To analyze the functional role of PrPCin the signal pathway mediated by EGF/EGF-R, a siRNA PrP was applied to ablate PrPCand its function. The treatment with siRNA PrP significantly prevented Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by EGF. Moreover, siRNA PrP treatment significantly prevented neuronal-specific antigens expression induced by EGF/bFGF, indicating that cellular prion protein is essential for EGF/bFGF-induced hDPSCs differentiation. These results suggest that PrPCinteract with EGF-R within lipid rafts, playing a role in the multimolecular signaling complexes involved in hDPSCs neuronal differentiation

Enhancement of radiosensitivity by the novel anticancer quinolone derivative vosaroxin in preclinical glioblastoma models

Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. The activity of vosaroxin, a first-in-class anticancer quinolone derivative that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, was investigated in GBM preclinical models as a single agent and combined with radiotherapy (RT). Results: Vosaroxin showed antitumor activity in clonogenic survival assays, with IC50 of 10-100 nM, and demonstrated radiosensitization. Combined treatments exhibited significantly higher γH2Ax levels compared with controls. In xenograft models, vosaroxin reduced tumor growth and showed enhanced activity with RT; vosaroxin/RT combined was more effective than temozolomide/RT. Vosaroxin/ RT triggered rapid and massive cell death with characteristics of necrosis. A minor proportion of treated cells underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis, in agreement with in vitro results. Vosaroxin/RT inhibited RT-induced autophagy, increasing necrosis. This was associated with increased recruitment of granulocytes, monocytes, and undifferentiated bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed adequate blood-brain penetration of vosaroxin. Vosaroxin/RT increased disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) significantly compared with RT, vosaroxin alone, temozolomide, and temozolomide/RT in the U251-luciferase orthotopic model. Materials and Methods: Cellular, molecular, and antiproliferative effects of vosaroxin alone or combined with RT were evaluated in 13 GBM cell lines. Tumor growth delay was determined in U87MG, U251, and T98G xenograft mouse models. (DFS) and (OS) were assessed in orthotopic intrabrain models using luciferasetransfected U251 cells by bioluminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: Vosaroxin demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo in GBM models, and showed additive/synergistic activity when combined with RT in O6- methylguanine methyltransferase-negative and -positive cell lines

Internet as a tool to estimate psychiatrists’ opinions on consultation activity in the Emergency Room: a mix-method survey

OBJECTIVES This study aims at exploring the attitudes of psychiatrists towards their work as consultants in the Emergency Room (ER). Considerations and suggestions concerning the use of Internet-based surveys for research purposes are also offered. METHODS A quali-quantitative Internet survey was sent to 288 psychiatrists. The 11-item questionnaire was made up of 8 half-structured questions, 2 multiple-choice questions and 1 open question. Surveymonkey was used to collect responses. Data collection went on for two weeks, from June 1st until June 15th 2011. Psychiatric consultation activity in the ER deals with assessing and managing patients with mental health problems in the specific context of urgency/emergency. RESULTS Out of the 288 invitations sent by e-mail, 132 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 45.8%); of these, 58 provided useful data for the research since they were answered by psychiatrists who usually practice as consultants in the ER. Fifty-three percent of the responders were women. Mean age was 43.6 years ± 7.4. Forty percent of the consultants said they are called in the ER “more than once a week”, mainly due to “acute clinical failures” (31%), “behavioural emergencies” (22%), “acute clinical onsets” (17%) and “self-harm behaviours” (13.8%). Social emergencies were indicated as a rare cause of consultation (1.7%), yet they were considered particularly challenging by the 36.2% of psychiatrists. A large amount of psychiatric assessments in the ER (69%) led “to prescribe a therapy and send the patient to the mental health community centre”. Some critical aspects were pointed out, such as: “lack of suitable setting” (50.9%) for meeting the patient, a “trend to delegate to the psychiatrist” (45.5%) by the ER personnel, “poor autonomy of the personnel working in the ER” (38.2%), and “poor perceived safety” (30.9%) by the consultant. Yet, it is noticeable that the vast majority of psychiatrists (75.9%) reported that they enjoy their activity as consultants in the ER. CONCLUSIONS The study points out that the majority (75.9%) of psychiatrists like their job as consultants in the ER, even if referrals are not always appropriate and settings sometimes fail to be suitable. Some relevant critical aspects were also addressed that should provide suggestions for improvement of effectiveness, organization and integration within the general hospital, to reduce waste of resources. Internet is useful and feasible as a research tool, due to low costs and easy logistics, particularly when studying younger subjects, though limited external validity might be a problem only partially addressed by adopting mixed-method strategies of research

Efficacy of animal assisted therapy on people with mental disorders: an update on the evidence

INTRODUCTION: Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a structured form of animal assisted intervention (AAI), which specifically adopts animals in healthcare services and education facilities, to achieve therapeutic goals. Although such interventions are widely used, nowadays, evidence supporting them is still largely lacking. A previously published review of the literature highlighted some promising effects of AAT on people presenting psychiatric disorders, though the quality of the studies included was generally low. In order to provide an update of recent evidence, the aim of this study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2000, involving people affected by mental disorders and receiving AAT. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The following databases were searched: CINHAL, EBSCO Psychology and Behavioural Science Collection, PubMed and Web of Science. 115 papers were obtained and screened: 28 were from CINHAL, PsycINFO and Psychology and Behavioural Science Collection altogether, 15 from PubMed and 72 from Web of Science. In addition to this, grey literature and references of already published reviews and meta-analyses on the topic were searched, resulting in the addition of 6 further articles. After screening, 10 RCTs were included in this review. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Studies involving outpatients were more frequent than those involving inpatients; sample size was generally low. The majority of studies adopted scales routinely used in clinical trials, with a good level of validity and reliability. Five out of ten studies reported significant differences in the main outcomes favouring AAT. Most of the studies did not include any follow-up; yet, where prospective data were available, the benefits of AAT appeared long lasting. Drop-out rates were higher in studies involving outpatients. However, the only trial which enrolled both inpatients and outpatients showed a higher drop-out rate among the inpatients group, possibly due to their more severe psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Though a paucity of available studies partly limits our findings, AAT seems to improve empathy, socialization and communication, and to favour therapeutic alliance among patients who have difficulties with therapeutic programs adherence. AAT appears to be a feasible and well-received intervention, potentially with few or no side effects reported. However there is a need for further studies with larger sample sizes and high-quality research standards

Is hyperglycemia associated with anxious-depressive symptoms? An Italian study in primary care setting

Background: Recent researches exploring the relationship between impaired glucidic tolerance, hyperglycemia or frank type II diabetes mellitus and symptoms of anxiety and depression, mostly conducted on in-patients or highly selected samples and on foreign populations, have reported conflicting results. Nevertheless, these medical and mental conditions are often comorbid in clinical practice. Chronic and systemic inflammation could represent the trait d\'union between these conditions. Primary care represents an interesting setting for exploring this comorbidity, given the high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms displayed by patients. The aims of this research was to measure the association between hyperglycemia and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in out-patients, and to fill the lack of studies on comorbidity between depression and anxiety disorders and medical conditions in Primary Care services. Method: The present was a cross-sectional study. We evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing a GP consultation in a Northern Italy practice. Exclusion criteria: age b40 or N80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics medication; psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar, organic, or tall as psychotic disorder by DSM IV-TR) or major depression; pregnancy; previous stroke or heart attack; type I diabetes mellitus. The psychometric assessment was done by HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Blood Glucose measurements (BM) in the last 6 months were considered in our analysis. Hyperglycemia cutoff: blood glucose N100 mg/dl. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA with multiple linear regressions. Results: 209 subjects were recruited in our study (84 men and 125 women). Of those, 48 (22.9%) were affected by hyperglycemia: 22 were men and 26 women. Hyperglycemia was related to HADS-D score in the men sample (β = .44, p = .01). No association was found between hyperglycemia and HADS-A, either in men or in women. Conclusion: The presence of hyperglycemia, well-known cardiovascular risk factor, may have a clinical value in predicting the presence of depressive symptoms, especially in men. Further studies should examine whether our results are generalizable to other populations and whether they are applicable to clinical depression. Molecular researches could focus on clarifying the pathophysiological reasons for such association, also exploring reasons for sex differences

Apple or pear? A cross sectional study on the association between body shape and symptoms of anxiety and depression in primary care female patients

INTRODUCTION - "Apple" body shape (Waist-to-Hip Ratio, WHR>1) is a documented risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, the first cause of morbility and mortality in Western societies. Mental disorders, especially anxiety and depression, are also related to cardiovascular diseases with accumulating evidence that these conditions have in common a dysregulation of inflammatory pathways. Nevertheless, joint assessment of WHR and symptoms of anxiety and depression has not been reported commonly so far. AIM - To explore the association between WHR and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a female primary care sample. METHODS - Cross-sectional design. Evaluation of all consecutive women undergoing a GP consultation in a Northern Italy Practice. Exclusion criteria: age 80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics; previous stroke or heart attack; obesity due to hereditary. Psychometric assessment was done by HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA. RESULTS - 125 women were assessed. WHR was inversely associated to HADS-Anxiety subscale score (β=-5.28, p=.02) e HADS-Depression subscale score(β=-4.02, p=.04) in the 40-60 years’ subgroup. In particular, WC was positively related to HADS-A (β=13.39, p=.02) e HADS-D (β=10.38, p=.03) while HC was inversely associated to HADS-A (β=-11.3, p=.01) and HADS-D (β=-8.6, p=.03). No associations were found in older groups. CONCLUSION - 'Pear” body shape (WHR<1), with a peripheral distribution of fat, is inversely associated to symptoms of anxiety and depression in women aged 40 to 60. The post-menopausal transition to the 'apple” model, with a central fat distribution, could explain the lack of correlations in women >60 years

Association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and BMI in Primary Care patients: a cross sectional study

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a heterogeneous entity represented by the coexistence of multiple alterations: abdominaladiposity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, HDL hypocolesterolemia and hypertension. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequently comorbid with MetS. Aim of the present study was to measure the association between symptoms of anxiety and depression with the five criteria of MetS in outpatients attending GPs' practices. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, involving male and female patients aged 40–80 attending five GPs' practices within one month in Modena, Northern Italy approved by the local Ethical Committee. All patients were screened for the presence of MetS and depressive/ anxiety symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exclusion criteria: age b40 or N80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics; previous stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular disease; diagnosed psychotic or mood disorder (according to the DSM-IV-TR); diabetes; pregnancy; hereditary disease linked to obesity. All data were adjusted for socio-demographic confounders. Multiple logistic analysis performed with STATA 13.0. Results: 128 subjects were enrolled in the study (55 men and 73 women), 48 presented with MetS (ATP-III-Revised criteria). MetS was associated with depression only in the female group (OR =6.33, p= 0.01), also when adjusting for age (OR =5.13, p= 0.02). MetS was not associated with anxiety in both males and females, and with depression in men. Among the individual components of MetS, only waist circumference was associated with anxiety in the female group (OR=4.40, p=0.04) also when adjusting for age (OR=4.34, p=0.04). Conclusion: Women aged between 40 and 60, presenting with MetS and attending the primary care services should been regularly screened for the presence of depression. Chronic systemic inflammation could represent the biological link between MetS and psychological symptoms. Further researches are needed to better clarify this possible relation

Fortified settlements in Eastern Rif (eighth-fifteenth centuries): new data on Ghassasa and Tazouda (Nador, Morocco)

[EN] The present paper attempts to aproximate to the archaeological research of two of the most relevants fortified settlements of the Medieval Rif (north of Morocco), Ghassasa and Tazouda. Reviewing the written sources –Ibn Ḥawqal, al-Bakrī, al-Idrīsī, Ibn Ḥayyān, al-Bādisī, etc.– and comparing the data they offer with the archaeological records of surface, we report here the recent hypothesis deduced from the analysis of their emerging structures and pottery, trying to trace some new information of the fortification process in the Rif since Early Medieval centuries to the fifteenth century and to detect the development of the interrelations and influences by the commercial exchanges between twice Mediterranean coasts: North African and al-Andalus. So, we offer the planimetry of both settlements, Ghassasa and Tazouda, which haven´t been documented before, and also some typologies of Magrib’s medieval pottery founded there, contributing with an original research to the study of medieval urbanism in Magrib al-Aqṣā and the role that they take on the trade routes existing between Bilād al-Sūdān, to Siŷilmāsa, and al-Andalus.Sarr, B.; Mattei, L.; Hernández Casas, Y. (2020). Asentamientos fortificados en el Rif Oriental (siglos VIII-XV). Nuevos datos sobre Ghassasa y Tazouda (Nador, Marruecos). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 197-204. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2020.2020.11519OCS19720

Co3O4 Nanopetals on Si as Photoanodes for the Oxidation of Organics

Cobalt oxide nanopetals were grown on silicon electrodes by heat-treating metallic cobalt films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. We show that cobalt oxide, with this peculiar nanostructure, is active towards the photo-electrochemical oxidation of water as well as of organic molecules, and that its electrochemical properties are directly linked to the structure of its surface. The formation of Co3O4 nanopetals, induced by oxidizing annealing at 300 \ub0C, considerably improves the performance of the material with respect to simple cobalt oxide films. Photocurrent measurements and electrochemical impedance are used to explain the behavior of the different structures and to highlight their potential application in water remediation technologies