The impact of type 2 immunity and allergic diseases in atherosclerosis.

Allergic diseases are allergen-induced immunological disorders characterized by the development of type 2 immunity and IgE responses. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been on the rise alike cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects arteries of different organs such as the heart, the kidney and the brain. The underlying cause of CVD is often atherosclerosis, a disease distinguished by endothelial dysfunction, fibrofatty material accumulation in the intima of the artery wall, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and Th1 inflammation. The opposed T-cell identity of allergy and atherosclerosis implies an atheroprotective role for Th2 cells by counteracting Th1 responses. Yet, the clinical association between allergic disease and CVD argues against it. Within, we review different phases of allergic pathology, basic immunological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the clinical association between allergic diseases (particularly asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy) and CVD. Then, we discuss putative atherogenic mechanisms of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation including acute allergic reactions (IgE, IgG1, mast cells, macrophages and allergic mediators such as vasoactive components, growth factors and those derived from the complement, contact and coagulation systems) and late phase inflammation (Th2 cells, eosinophils, type 2 innate-like lymphoid cells, alarmins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13 and IL-17).post-print4164 K

Thinking small: zinc-sensing by the gut epithelium.

pre-print341 K

La percepción de la mujer en la educación científica en la educación primaria y secundaria. ¿Es equitativa o estereotipada?

Gender equality is a fundamental aspect in the current society, and also in science education. Science classes are the source through which scientific information reaches the public. Therefore, this paper analyses aspects of science education, raising two hypotheses: the presence of women is scarce (H1); the perception of gender is stereotyped (H2). They are verified by two exploratory studies. The first, H1, analyzes the illustrations of six science textbooks, 3 of 5th and 3 of 6th grade of Primary Education (PE). Four categories were used:complete, partial, group,and according to the gender of thefiguresthatappeared in theillustrations, including neutral. The results show a great disparity in the representation of the male and female genders, much more abundant in the figures of men. The second one, H2, explores whether the perception of gender that the students of Secondary Education, SE have is stereotyped. We worked with a sample of convenience of students from 4th of Compulsory SE and High School, HS, 404, who filled in a form. A high percentage of the student body agreed with an even perception of the scientific profession. In relation to the acceptance of stereotypes, they are more prevalent among CSE students than HS, and more so in rural environments. Therefore, the two hypotheses are tested, and it is concluded that awareness actions on gender equality in formal science education are needed in the compulsory stages.La igualdad de género es un aspecto fundamental en la sociedad actual, y también en la educación científica. Las clases de ciencias son la fuente por la que llega la información científica a la ciudadanía. Por ello, este trabajo analiza aspectos de la educación científica, planteando dos hipótesis: la presencia de la mujer es escasa (H1); la percepción del género es estereotipada (H2). Se comprueban mediante dos estudios exploratorios. El primero, H1, analiza las ilustraciones de seis libros de texto de Ciencias, 3 de 5º y 3 de 6º de EP. Se emplearon 4 categorías: completa, parcial, grupal, y según el género de las figuras que aparecían en las ilustraciones, incluyendo neutra. Los resultados evidencian una gran disparidad en la representación de los géneros masculino y femenino, mucho más abundantes las figuras de hombres. El segundo, H2, explora si la percepción del género que tiene el alumnado de ESO es estereotipada. Se trabajó con una muestra de conveniencia de alumnado de 4º de ESO y Bachillerato (404), que rellenaron un formulario. Un alto porcentaje del estudiantado manifestó acuerdo con una percepción igualitaria de la profesión científica. En relación con la aceptación de estereotipos, prevalecen más entre estudiantes de ESO que de Bachillerato, y más en entornos rurales. Por lo tanto, se comprueban las dos hipótesis, y que concluye que son necesarias acciones de sensibilizacion sobre la igualdad de género en la educación científica formal en las etapas obligatorias

Wheat ear counting in-field conditions: high throughput and low-cost approach using RGB images

Background The number of ears per unit ground area (ear density) is one of the main agronomic yield components in determining grain yield in wheat. A fast evaluation of this attribute may contribute to monitoring the efficiency of crop management practices, to an early prediction of grain yield or as a phenotyping trait in breeding programs. Currently the number of ears is counted manually, which is time consuming. Moreover, there is no single standardized protocol for counting the ears. An automatic ear-counting algorithm is proposed to estimate ear density under field conditions based on zenithal color digital images taken from above the crop in natural light conditions. Field trials were carried out at two sites in Spain during the 2014/2015 crop season on a set of 24 varieties of durum wheat with two growing conditions per site. The algorithm for counting uses three steps: (1) a Laplacian frequency filter chosen to remove low and high frequency elements appearing in an image, (2) a Median filter to reduce high noise still present around the ears and (3) segmentation using Find Maxima to segment local peaks and determine the ear count within the image. Results The results demonstrate high success rate (higher than 90%) between the algorithm counts and the manual (image-based) ear counts, and precision, with a low standard deviation (around 5%). The relationships between algorithm ear counts and grain yield was also significant and greater than the correlation with manual (field-based) ear counts. In this approach, results demonstrate that automatic ear counting performed on data captured around anthesis correlated better with grain yield than with images captured at later stages when the low performance of ear counting at late grain filling stages was associated with the loss of contrast between canopy and ears. Conclusions Developing robust, low-cost and efficient field methods to assess wheat ear density, as a major agronomic component of yield, is highly relevant for phenotyping efforts towards increases in grain yield. Although the phenological stage of measurements is important, the robust image analysis algorithm presented here appears to be amenable from aerial or other automated platforms

Carbosilane dendritic nanostructures, highly versatile platforms for pharmaceutical applications

Dendrimers are multifunctional molecules with well-defined size and structure due to the step-by-step synthetic procedures required in their preparation. Dendritic constructs based on carbosilane scaffolds present carbon-carbon and carbon-silicon bonds, which results in stable, lipophilic, inert, and flexible structures. These properties are highly appreciated in different areas, including the pharmaceutical field, as they can increase the interaction with cell membranes and improve the therapeutic action. This article summarizes the most recent advances in the pharmaceutical applications of carbosilane dendritic molecules, from therapeutics to diagnostics and prevention tools. Dendrimers decorated with cationic, anionic, or other moieties, including metallodendrimers; supramolecular assemblies; dendronized nanoparticles and surfaces; as well as dendritic networks like hydrogels are described. The collected examples confirm the potential of carbosilane dendrimers and dendritic materials as antiviral or antibacterial agents; in therapy against cancer, neurodegenerative disease, or oxidative stress; or many other biomedical applications.This article is categorized under:Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in BiologyTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious DiseaseTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic DiseaseMinisterio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de MadridJunta de Comunidades de Castilla-La ManchaUniversidad de Alcal

Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Desvenlafaxine: A Prospective Naturalistic Study

[EN] Despite being clinically underestimated, sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the most frequent and lasting adverse effects associated with antidepressants. Desvenlafaxine is an antidepressant (AD) with noradrenergic and serotonergic action that can cause a lower SD than other serotonergic ADs although there are still few studies on this subject. Objective: To check the frequency of SD in two groups of depressive patients: one group was desvenlafaxine-naïve; the other was made up of patients switched to desvenlafaxine from another AD due to iatrogenic sexual dysfunction. A naturalistic, multicenter, and prospective study of patients receiving desvenlafaxine (50–100 mg/day) was carried out on 72 patients who met the inclusion criteria (>18 years old and sexually active), who had received desvenlafaxine for the first time (n = 27) or had switched to desvenlafaxine due to SD with another AD (n = 45)

Learning and Treatment of Anaphylaxis by Laypeople: A Simulation Study Using Pupilar Technology

An anaphylactic shock is a time-critical emergency situation. The decision-making during emergencies is an important responsibility but difficult to study. Eye-tracking technology allows us to identify visual patterns involved in the decision-making. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate two training models for the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis by laypeople, based on expert assessment and eye-tracking technology. A cross-sectional quasi-experimental simulation study was made to evaluate the identification and treatment of anaphylaxis. 50 subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: three groups watching different training videos with content supervised by sanitary personnel and one control group who received face-to-face training during paediatric practice. To evaluate the learning, a simulation scenario represented by an anaphylaxis’ victim was designed. A device capturing eye movement as well as expert valuation was used to evaluate the performance. The subjects that underwent paediatric face-to-face training achieved better and faster recognition of the anaphylaxis. They also used the adrenaline injector with better precision and less mistakes, and they needed a smaller number of visual fixations to recognise the anaphylaxis and to make the decision to inject epinephrine. Analysing the different video formats, mixed results were obtained. Therefore, they should be tested to evaluate their usability before implementation.S

Living with digestive stomas: strategies to cope with the new bodily reality

OBJETIVO: el objetivo del estudio fue describir las estrategias desarrolladas por personas portadoras de estomas digestivos para hacer frente a su situación. MÉTODO: se realizó un estudio cualitativo de carácter descriptivo con 21 personas ostomizadas residentes en las provincias de Málaga y Granada (España). La selección de los informantes se hizo siguiendo los criterios de adecuación y diversidad mediante un muestreo intencional. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. RESULTADOS: tras el análisis del contenido se obtuvieron tres categorías en torno a las cuales se desarrollaban las distintas estrategias: Autocuidados, Adaptación al cambio corporal y Autoayuda. CONCLUSIÓN: las estrategias desarrolladas están enfocadas a conseguir un manejo efectivo del estoma, quedando vinculadas estrechamente a la consecución de la autonomía. Conocer cuáles son las estrategias puestas en marcha se hace indispensable para ofrecer como profesionales de enfermería unos cuidados de calidad centrados en las personas y su proceso.OBJECTIVE: the objective in this study was to describe the strategies developed by digestive stoma patients to cope with their situation. METHOD: a qualitative and descriptive study was undertaken, involving 21 stoma patients living in the provinces of Málaga and Granada (Spain). The informants were selected in accordance with criteria of appropriateness and diversity, through intentional sampling. The data were collected by means of semistructured interviews. RESULTS: the content analysis revealed three categories around which the distinct strategies were developed: Self-care, Adaptation to the bodily change and Self-help. CONCLUSION: the strategies developed are focusing on achieving the effective management of the stoma and are closely linked with the achievement of autonomy. Discovering the strategies applied is fundamental for the nursing professionals to offer high-quality care, centered on people and their process.OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as estratégias desenvolvidas pelas pessoas portadoras de estomas digestivos para enfrentar a sua situação. MÉTODO: foi realizado estudo qualitativo, de caráter descritivo, com 21 pessoas ostomizadas, residentes nas províncias de Málaga e Granada (Espanha). A seleção dos participantes foi feita seguindo-se os critérios de adequação e diversidade de uma amostragem intencional. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de entrevistas semiestruturadas. RESULTADOS: através da análise do conteúdo foram obtidas três categorias, em torno das quais foram desenvolvidas as diferentes estratégias: autocuidados, adaptação à mudança corporal e autoajuda. CONCLUSÃO: as estratégias desenvolvidas estão focadas para assegurar manejo eficaz do estômato, estando intimamente vinculadas à conquista da autonomia. Conhecer quais são as estratégias a serem implementadas é indispensável para oferecer, como profissionais de enfermagem, atendimento de qualidade com foco nas pessoas e sua carreira

Dating historical droughts from religious ceremonies, the international pro pluvia rogation database

Climate proxy data are required for improved understanding of climate variability and change in the pre-instrumental period. We present the first international initiative to compile and share information on pro pluvia rogation ceremonies, which is a well-studied proxy of agricultural drought. Currently, the database has more than 3500 dates of celebration of rogation ceremonies, providing information for 153 locations across 11 countries spanning the period from 1333 to 1949. This product provides data for better understanding of the pre-instrumental drought variability, validating natural proxies and model simulations, and multi-proxy rainfall reconstructions, amongst other climatic exercises. The database is freely available and can be easily accessed and visualized via http://inpro.unizar.es/.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The impact of type 2 immunity and allergic diseases in atherosclerosis.

Allergic diseases are allergen-induced immunological disorders characterized by the development of type 2 immunity and IgE responses. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been on the rise alike cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects arteries of different organs such as the heart, the kidney and the brain. The underlying cause of CVD is often atherosclerosis, a disease distinguished by endothelial dysfunction, fibrofatty material accumulation in the intima of the artery wall, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and Th1 inflammation. The opposed T-cell identity of allergy and atherosclerosis implies an atheroprotective role for Th2 cells by counteracting Th1 responses. Yet, the clinical association between allergic disease and CVD argues against it. Within, we review different phases of allergic pathology, basic immunological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the clinical association between allergic diseases (particularly asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy) and CVD. Then, we discuss putative atherogenic mechanisms of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation including acute allergic reactions (IgE, IgG1, mast cells, macrophages and allergic mediators such as vasoactive components, growth factors and those derived from the complement, contact and coagulation systems) and late phase inflammation (Th2 cells, eosinophils, type 2 innate-like lymphoid cells, alarmins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13 and IL-17).Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, Grant/Award Number: CEX2020-001041- S; Pro CNIC Foundation; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; Ministry of Science and Innovation, Grant/ Award Number: PID2019-110369RB- I00; European Commission, Grant/Award Number: ERC-CoG 819775 and H2020-HEALTH 945118; Spanish Ministry of Universities; Ayudas Margarita Salas para la Formación de Jóvenes Doctores—Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Grant/ Award Number: CA1/RSUE/2021–00577; Formación de Profesorado Universitario, Grant/Award Number: FPU16/03953; Sociedad Española de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica (SEAIC), Grant/ Award Number: BECA20A9; New Frontiers in Research Fund, Grant/ Award Number: NFRFE-2019- 00083; The Nutricia Research Foundation, Grant/Award Number: NRF-2021- 13; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Grant/Award Number: PI21/00158, PI21/01126, CP20/00043, PI18/01467, PI19/00044, RD16/0006/0015 and RD21/0002/0008; Severo Ochoa Program, Grant/Award Number: AEI/SEV-2017- 0712S