Laboratorio virtual para la simulación y el aprendizaje del sistema cardiovascular en estudios de ingeniería biomédica

RESUMEN: La aplicación de la ingeniería al análisis de sistemas es un campo muy importante en los estudios ingeniería Biomédica (BME, por sus siglas en inglés): modelado, simulación y control de los sistemas fisiológicos más importantes. En este documento se presenta un laboratorio virtual para el análisis y el estudio del sistema circulatorio humano. Este laboratorio se basa en la compilación de varios modelos matemáticos descritos en la literatura. Además, algunos parámetros del modelo han sido mejorados por medio de datos experimentales del estímulo de cafeína. Esta herramienta computacional se ha construido utilizando MATLAB / Simulink y EJS, por lo que combina buena capacidad de cálculo con interactividad. El laboratorio virtual ha sido diseñado con el fin de comprender el funcionamiento del sistema circulatorio en condiciones normales, y para predecir variables circulatorias en diferentes tipos y niveles de estímulos y condiciones.ABSTRACT: The application of engineering system analysis is a very important field in biomedical engineering (BME) studies: modeling, simulation and control of the most important physiological systems. A virtual laboratory for the analysis and the study of human circulatory system is presented in this paper. This laboratory is based on the compilation of several mathematical models described in the literature. In addition, some model parameters have been tuned by means of experimental data under caffeine stimulus. The computational tool has been built using MATLAB/SIMULINK and EJS, so it combines good computation capabilities with interactivity. The virtual laboratory has been designed in order to understand the operation of the circulatory system under normal conditions, and to predict circulatory variables at different types and levels of stimuli and conditions

Xeno-free bioengineered human skeletal muscle tissue using human platelet lysate-based hydrogels

Bioengineered human skeletal muscle tissues have emerged in the last years as new in vitro systems for disease modeling. These bioartificial muscles are classically fabricated by encapsulating human myogenic precursor cells in a hydrogel scaffold that resembles the extracellular matrix. However, most of these hydrogels are derived from xenogenic sources, and the culture media is supplemented with animal serum, which could interfere in drug testing assays. On the contrary, xeno-free biomaterials and culture conditions in tissue engineering offer increased relevance for developing human disease models. In this work, we used human platelet lysate (PL)-based nanocomposite hydrogels (HUgel) as scaffolds for human skeletal muscle tissue engineering. These hydrogels consist of human PL reinforced with aldehyde-cellulose nanocrystals (a-CNC) that allow tunable mechanical, structural, and biochemical properties for the 3D culture of stem cells. Here, we developed hydrogel casting platforms to encapsulate human muscle satellite stem cells in HUgel. The a-CNC content was modulated to enhance matrix remodeling, uniaxial tension, and self-organization of the cells, resulting in the formation of highly aligned, long myotubes expressing sarcomeric proteins. Moreover, the bioengineered human muscles were subjected to electrical stimulation, and the exerted contractile forces were measured in a non-invasive manner. Overall, our results demonstrated that the bioengineered human skeletal muscles could be built in xeno-free cell culture platforms to assess tissue functionality, which is promising for drug development applications.The authors thank the technical support of MicroFabSpace and Microscopy Characterization Facility, Unit 7 of ICTS 'NANBIOSIS' from CIBER-BBN at IBEC. We would also like to thank the muscle team from the Biosensors for Bioengineering group for their feedback in the review process of this manuscript. Human immortalized muscle satellite stem cells used in this study were kindly provided by Dr Bénédicte Chazaud (Institut NeuroMyoGène (INMG), Lyon, France). This project received financial support from European Research Council program Grant ERC-StG-DAMOC: 714317 (J R-A), European Commission under FET-open program BLOC Project: GA- 863037 (J R-A), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through the 'Severo Ochoa' Program for Centres of Excellence in R&D: SEV-2016–2019, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness: 'Retos de investigación: Proyectos I+D+i': TEC2017-83716-C2-2-R (J R-A), CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya: 2017-SGR-1079 (J R-A), and Fundación Bancaria 'la Caixa'- Obra Social 'la Caixa': project IBEC-La Caixa Healthy Ageing (J R-A). The authors also acknowledge the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under European Research Council Grant Agreement 772817 and Twinning Grant Agreement No. 810850—Achilles. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for CEECIND/01375/2017 (M G-F) and 2020.03410.CEECIND (R M A D)

La importancia del material didáctico como medio para trabajar la discalculia

The objective of this research work was to categorize the useful didactic material to work on dyscalculia in 7th grade students of EGB of the Mons. Juan María Riofrío School of Education in the subject of mathematics. The research is mainly based on cognitive theories, whose purpose was to know in detail how dyscalculia is produced in the pedagogical subject. The methodology used in this study was quali-quantitative with emphasis on non-experimental design and technique, survey and observation. The bibliographic, analytical, synthetic and descriptive method was used, descriptive statistics was used in the data analysis, since frequencies were quantified to execute the tabulation of results. Finally, it is concluded that didactic materials are essential for the acquisition of knowledge, abilities, skills and aptitudes in the students, reason why it is imperative to design and implement didactic material that motivates the student to get involved in an active and participative way in the pedagogical activities.En la presente investigación se planteó como objetivo; Categorizar el material didáctico para trabajar la discalculia en los estudiantes de 7mo año de EGB de la Escuela de Educación Mons. Juan María Riofrío en la asignatura de matemática. La investigación se fundamentó principalmente en las teorías cognitivas, cuyo propósito fue conocer a detalle cómo se produce la discalculia en el sujeto pedagógico. En lo referente a la metodología que se empleó en este estudio fue cuali - cuantitativo con énfasis en el diseño no experimental y de técnica, la encuesta y observación. Se utilizó el método bibliográfico, analítico, sintético y descriptivo, en el análisis de los datos se utilizó la estadística descriptiva, ya que se cuantificó frecuencias para ejecutar la tabulación de resultados, finalmente, se concluye que los materiales didácticos son imprescindibles para la adquisición de conocimientos, habilidades, destrezas y aptitudes en los discentes que presentan problemas de aprendizaje, razón por la que es imperante diseñar e implementar material didáctico que motive al estudiante a involucrarse de modo activo y participativo en las actividades pedagógicas

Practicas educacionales, innovadoras y efectivas para el proceso enseñanza y aprendizaje en la educación básica

In the present work, a documentary research was developed about the various teaching and learning strategies in Basic Education, where the strategies for the best results in the teaching and learning process were addressed and deepened, in such a way that the construction of knowledge fulfills its objective of preparing students for further studies. The research carried out is based on the analysis of the different cognitive theories, with the aim of knowing the didactic strategies that contribute to the teaching and learning process. The research focuses on action research, which refers to planning, action, observation and reflection, enables educational innovation; therefore, changes are generated in the educational processes with the purpose of perfecting the professional work of the teaching staff and, in this way, improving the teaching and learning process of the students. The search for the most effective teaching strategies in educational processes was carried out. Finally, it was concluded that the planning of didactic strategies helps students to interact more with the teacher and better understand the topics covered in class and allows them to build knowledge.En el presente trabajo, se desarrolló una investigación documental acerca de las diversas estrategias de enseñanza y aprendizaje en la Educación Básica, en donde se abordó y profundizó en las estrategias de mejores resultados en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, de tal manera que la construcción del conocimiento cumpla con su objetivo de preparar a los estudiantes para sus estudios posteriores  La investigación realizada se fundamenta en el análisis de las diferentes teorías cognitivas, con el objetivo de conocer las estrategias didácticas que contribuye en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje. La investigación se enfocó en la investigación-acción, la cual hace referencia a la planificación, acción, observación y reflexión, posibilita la innovación educativa; por lo tanto, se generan cambios en los procesos educativos con el propósito de perfeccionar el quehacer profesional del profesorado y, de esta manera, mejorar el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Se realizó la búsqueda de las estrategias didácticas más eficaces en los procesos educativos. Finalmente, se concluyó que la planificación de estrategias didácticas ayuda a los estudiantes a que interactúen más con el docente y comprendan de una mejor manera los temas tratados en clases y les permite la construcción del conocimiento

Treatment of cancer with oral drugs: a position statement by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)

Cancer treatment involves the participation of multiple medical specialties and, as our knowledge of the disease increases, this fact becomes even more apparent. The degree of multidisciplinarity is determined by several factors, which include the severity and type of disease, the increasing diversity in the available pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, and the range of specialists involved in cancer therapy, such as medical oncologists, radiotherapists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, urologists, surgeons, and pneumologists, among others. Across Europe, the situation of cancer care can be variable due to the diversity of health systems, differences in drug reimbursement, and the degree of establishment of Medical Oncology as a medical specialty in the European Union states

Analysis of the immune system of multiple myeloma patients achieving long-term disease control by multidimensional flow cytometry

Spanish Myeloma Group (GEM) and Grupo Castellano-Leones de Gammapatias Monoclonales, cooperative study groups: et al.Multiple myeloma remains largely incurable. However, a few patients experience more than 10 years of relapsefree survival and can be considered as operationally cured. Interestingly, long-term disease control in multiple myeloma is not restricted to patients with a complete response, since some patients revert to having a profile of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We compared the distribution of multiple compartments of lymphocytes and dendritic cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of multiple myeloma patients with long-term disease control (n=28), patients with newly diagnosed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n=23), patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (n=23), and age-matched healthy adults (n=10). Similarly to the patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and symptomatic multiple myeloma, patients with long-term disease control showed an expansion of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells and natural killer cells. However, the numbers of bone marrow T-regulatory cells were lower in patients with long-term disease control than in those with symptomatic multiple myeloma. It is noteworthy that B cells were depleted in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and in those with symptomatic multiple myeloma, but recovered in both the bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with long-term disease control, due to an increase in normal bone marrow B-cell precursors and plasma cells, as well as pre-germinal center peripheral blood B cells. The number of bone marrow dendritic cells and tissue macrophages differed significantly between patients with long-term disease control and those with symptomatic multiple myeloma, with a trend to cell count recovering in the former group of patients towards levels similar to those found in healthy adults. In summary, our results indicate that multiple myeloma patients with long-term disease control have a constellation of unique immune changes favoring both immune cytotoxicity and recovery of B-cell production and homing, suggesting improved immune surveillance.This work was supported by the Cooperative Research Thematic Network (RTICCs; RD06/0020/0006 and G03/136), Instituto de Salud Carlos III/ Subdirección General de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS: PI060339; 06/1354; 02/0905; 01/0089/01-02; PS09/01897/01370) and Consejeria de Educacion (GR37) and Consejería de Sanidad, Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain (557/A/10). The authors also thank the Fundación Carolina-BBVA for supporting and promoting the exchange of medical researchers from Latin America to Spain.Peer Reviewe

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Catálogo descriptivo de los anfibios y reptiles de CubaEvolución estacional de la comunidad de aves en un robledal de Sierra NevadaComposición de la comunidad de aves en pinares del Parque Nacional de Doñana (suroeste de España).Alimentación de la pagaza piconegra (Gelochelidon nilotica) en las marismas del GuadalquivirContaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacional de Doñana. III. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados y metales pesados en ciconiformesAlimentación de la lechuza común Tyto alba en la cuenca del Duero, EspañaEstudio de una población rural de (Mus musculus L.) I. La probabilidad de captura y la estima numéricLa reproducción en Gazella dorcasIncidencia del Nemátodo parásito Skrjabingylus Leuckart, 1842 sobre el Mustela en España.Desplazamientos de ungulados silvestres a través de una zona de ecotono en Doñana.Etograma de la cabra montés (Capra pyrenaica) y comparación con otras especies.Sobre comportamiento agresivo de Triturus marmoratus en época de celoEmbarrancamiento masivo de ejemplares de tortuga lad (Dermochelys coriacea L.) en las costas de Ceuta (España, norte de África)Sobre un ejemplar melánico de Podarcis hispanica (Steindachner, 1870)Nuevos datos sobre la distribución de cuatro especies de reptiles en la provincia de Cádiz.Algunos datos sobre la nidificación de Ciconia nigra L. en sierra Morena (S. España)Observación del halcón de Eleonor (Falco eleonorae) en el centro de EspañaNueva localidad de cría del pájaro moscón (Remiz pendulinus) en la Península IbéricaRegistro de aves en el sur de BoliviaNidificación del paiño de Madeira Oceanodroma castro (Harcourt, 1851) en las Islas Canarias.Observación primaveral de Phalaropus fulicarius L. en el SO de EspañaNuevos datos sobre la presencia del nóctulo gigante Nyctalus lasiopterus (Chiroptera, vespertilionidae) en EspañaNote sur l'alimentation de Martes martes a Menorca (Baleares).Peer reviewe

Radar on RAIA: High frequency radars in the RAIA Observatory

The RADAR ON RAIA project aims to update and extend beyond the Galician border the High Frequency (HF) radar network that has been operating since 2011 in the framework of the RAIA Observatory. The Project is allowing the establishment of a cross-border collaboration beyond the physical infrastructure itself, developing a sharing strategy of maintenance procedures, validation and data processing on both sides of the border, as well as an easy and public access to all the information. In addition, new products are being developed to exploit the potential of the HF radar technology.Peer Reviewe

Body mass index and disease activity in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: results of the Cardiovascular in Rheumatology (Carma) Project

Objective: Since obesity has been associated with a higher inflammatory burden and worse response to therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD), we aimed to confirm the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and disease activity in a large series of patients with CIRDs included in the Spanish CARdiovascular in rheuMAtology (CARMA) registry. Methods: Baseline data analysis of patients included from the CARMA project, a 10-year prospective study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) attending outpatient rheumatology clinics from 67 Spanish hospitals. Obesity was defined when BMI (kg/m2) was >30 according to the WHO criteria. Scores used to evaluate disease activity were Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) in RA, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in AS, and modified DAS for PsA. Results: Data from 2234 patients (775 RA, 738 AS, and 721 PsA) were assessed. The mean ± SD BMI at the baseline visit were: 26.9 ± 4.8 in RA, 27.4 ± 4.4 in AS, and 28.2 ± 4.7 in PsA. A positive association between BMI and disease activity in patients with RA (β = 0.029; 95%CI (0.01- 0.05); p = 0.007) and PsA (β = 0.036; 95%CI (0.015-0.058); p = 0.001) but not in those with AS (β = 0.001; 95%CI (-0.03-0.03); p = 0.926) was found. Disease activity was associated with female sex and rheumatoid factor in RA and with Psoriasis Area Severity Index and enthesitis in PsA. Conclusions: BMI is associated with disease activity in RA and PsA, but not in AS. Given that obesity is a potentially modifiable factor, adequate control of body weight can improve the outcome of patients with CIRD and, therefore, weight control should be included in the management strategy of these patients