Interdisciplinary initiative and transversal approach in the teaching of analytical chemistry

El proceso de aprendizaje puede favorecerse mediante el uso de metodologías docentes que fomenten el tratamiento transversal de los temas, resultando más adecuado para el estudiante si es abordado desde diferentes vertientes. Este tratamiento implica el trabajo conjunto de profesores con distintas formaciones que muestren la solución del problema de forma interdisciplinar. La disciplina Análisis Químico está en relación continua con otras áreas de conocimiento lo que la hace idónea para la implementación de experiencias docentes mediante las cuales los alumnos experimenten la parte aplicada de la asignatura con el fin de favorecer la comprensión desde un punto de vista global. Este trabajo se ha desarrollado en un contexto real, poniendo en contacto a los alumnos con un proyecto de investigación con el fin de conseguir su implicación en la comprensión de la asignatura permitiendo una visión real del planteamiento y resolución de problemas analíticos y favoreciendo la adquisición de competencias específicas y trasversales. Se ha contado con la participación de diferentes profesores y se ha desarrollado en varias etapas: Impartición de charlas, establecimiento del problema analítico, colocación de material en plataforma virtual, análisis de muestras reales, información de resultados, encuesta opinión/satisfacción, evaluación y calificación. La utilización de esta herramienta de aprendizaje ha permitido fomentar en los alumnos la capacidad de aplicar los conocimientos teóricos adquiridos a la práctica, el trabajo en grupo, la identificación y resolución de problemas, la interdisciplinariedad y la colaboración. Y a los profesores evaluar los resultados del aprendizaje expresados en términos de competencias.The learning process can be favoured by using teaching methodologies that encourage the transversal treatment of the issues, resulting more adequate for the student if it is approached from different aspects. This treatment implies the joined work of professors with different trainings showing the solution of the problem from an interdisciplinary way. Analytical Chemistry is continuously related to other knowing areas which make it suitable for the implementation of teaching experiences that favours the students to know the applied part of the subject with the aim of facilitating the comprehension from a global point of view. This work has been developed in a real context, putting the students in contact with a research project with the aim of getting their implication in the comprehension of the subject and favouring the acquisition of specific and transversal competencies. The initiative has relied on the participation of different professors and has been developed in several stages: oral teaching, setting the analytical problem, putting material in the virtual platform, analysis of real samples, giving information of the results, evaluation and grading. The use of this learning tool has allowed to encourage the students the ability to apply the theoretical knowing to the practice, the making of decisions, the identification and solving of problems, the interdisciplinary and the collaboration. And to the professors to evaluate the results of the learning process in terms of competencies

Resolution of practical cases in small groups in the teaching of “general and analytical chemistry” subject of degree in pharmacy

El Proyecto realizado por el equipo docente del Departamento de Química Analítica de la Facultad de Farmacia de Sevilla, ha utilizado la técnica de enseñanza en pequeños grupos (EPG) que constituye una faceta esencial en la renovación de las metodologías docentes para la incorporación y adaptación de las enseñanzas universitarias al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior. La actividad propuesta se ha llevado a cabo en la asignatura “Química General y Analítica” del Grado en Farmacia. Con el objetivo de mejorar el aprendizaje del alumno y fomentar el trabajo en equipo del mismo, se ha subdividido en tres cada uno de los seis grupos asignados a “Clases Prácticas en el aula”, logrando un número de alumnos presentes en la misma (20 alumnos) que permite la impartición de la docencia con una dinámica distinta a la lección magistral. La actividad desarrollada ha tenido una gran acogida por parte de los alumnos donde un alto porcentaje de los mismos consigue superar sin grandes dificultades el apartado del examen destinado a casos prácticos.The Project developed by the Educational Team of the Department of Analytical Chemistry (Faculty of Pharmacy, Seville), has used the technique of Small Groups Learning (SGL) that constitutes an essential facet in the renovation of the educational methodologies for the incorporation and adaptation of the university lessons to the European Space for Higher Education. The proposed activity has been carried out in the “General and Analytical Chemistry” subject of the Degree in Pharmacy. With the aim of improving the learning of the student and fomenting the work in equipment of the same, it has been subdivided in three each one of the six assigned groups to “Practical exercises in the classroom”, obtaining a number of present students in the same (20 students) that allows the imparting of teaching with a dynamic different from the magisterial lesson. The developed activity has presented a great reception by the students and a high percentage of the same is able to surpass without great difficulties the section of the examination destined to practical cases

Searching for WIMPs with TREX-DM: achievements and challenges

The TREX-DM detector, a low background chamber with microbulk Micromegas readout, was commissioned in the underground laboratory of Canfranc (LSC) in 2018. Since then, data taking campaigns have been carried out with Argon and Neon mixtures, at different pressures from 1 to 4 bar. By achieving a low energy threshold of 1 keV$_{ee}$ and a background level of 80 counts keV$^{-1}$ Kg$^{-1}$ day$^{-1}$ in the region from 1 to 7 keV$_{ee}$, the experiment demonstrates its potential to search for low-mass WIMPs. Two of the most important challenges currently faced are the reduction of both, background level and energy threshold. With respect to the energy threshold, recently a new readout plane is being developed, based on the combination of Micromegas and GEM technologies, aiming to have a pre-amplification stage that would permit very low energy thresholds, close to the single-electron ionization energy. With respect to the background reduction, apart from studies to identify and minimize contamination population, a high sensitivity alpha detector is being developed in order to allow a proper material selection for the TREX-DM detector components. Both challenges, together with the optimization of the gas mixture used as target for the WIMP detection, will take TREX-DM to explore regions of WIMP's mass below 1 GeV c$^{-2}$.Comment: LIDINE 2023: LIght Detection In Noble Element

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Página 298 con error de impresiónEstudio cariológico en dos especies de Serránidos del Mediterráneo (Peces: PerciformesRelaciones morfométricas de Atherina boyeri Risso (Pisces: Atherinidae) de la laguna de Zoñar (Córdoba, España)Contribución al conocimiento de la biometríay osteología de Barbus barbus bocagei, Steindachner, 1866 (Pisces: CyprinidaeLa actividad de la salamandra, Salamandra salamandra (L.), en Galicia.Estudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España.1. BiometríaEstudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España. II. AlimentaciónBiología de la reproducción de Rana iberica Boulenger 1879 en zonas simpátridas con Rana temporaria Linneo, 1758Nuevos datos sobre la distribución geográfica de Lacerta monticola cantabrica Mertens, 1929. (Sauria, lacertidae).Datos sobre Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 (Saurio: lacertidae)en el oeste del Sistema Central.Nueva especie de Anolis (lacertilia, Iguanidae) para CubaEtograma cuantificado del cortejo en Falco naumannOntogénesis del comportamiento predador en Falco naumanniContaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacional de Doñana. 1. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados y mercurio en anseriformes y gruiformesReproducción del críalo (Clamator glandarius) en Sierra Morena CentraNidificación de Picus viridis en taludes de arcilla en Ramblas de Guadix (Granada)Comportamiento del calamón Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) en Doñana, Marismas del GuadalquiviBiología y ecología de la malvasía (Oxyura leucocephala) en Andalucía.On the differential diet of Carnivora in islands:a method for analysing it and a particular case.Notas sobre la distribución pasada y actual del meloncillo Herpestes ichneumon (L.) en la Península IbéricaEstructuración de las interacciones en una camada de lobos (Canís lupus)Nuevos datos sobre la distribución del Cottus gobio L. (pisces, cottidae) en EspañaSobre la alimentación de Callopistes maculatus (Reptilia,teiidaeObservación de Lacerta lepida depredando un nido de Alectoris rufaNueva cita del galápago leproso Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812) en los pirineosPrimera cita de Psammodromus hispanicus (Fitzinger) para GaliciaSobre la presencia de Gallotia (=Lacerta) atlantica (Peters y Doria, 1882) en Gran CanariaNota sobre las Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 de las zonas del norte de GaliciaPrimeras notas herpetológicas de la provincia de Soria.Datos sobre selección de hábitat y ecología alimenticia del porrón pardo (Aythya nyroca)Probable nueva área de cría del pechiazul (Luscinia svecica cyanecula) en el sistema central. PerisPredación de Falco peregrinus y Falco subbuteo sobre quirópterosResultados de la producción de Oxyura leucocephala en el año 1981 en las lagunas de Zóñar y el rincónAnálisis de la dieta de Tyto alba en un medio árido antropógeno de los alrededores de Almería¿Son Eudocimus ruber y E. albus distintas especies?EL Estornino pinto (Sturnus vulgaris) en Canarias: nueva especie nidifiante en el archipiélagoDatos sobre la alimentación otoñal del cárabo (Strix aluco) en la sierra de CádizObservación primaveral de rapaces y otras aves en el páramo del estado de Mérida (Venezuela).Murciélago hematófago (Desmodus rotundus) parasitando a un chigüire (Hidrochoerus hydrochaeris)Observaciones sobre la reproducción del zacatuche o teporinho Romerolagus diazi (Mammalia: lagomorpha)Estudio electroforético de hemoglobinas y esterasas sanguíneas en Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Chiroptera: rhinolophidae) y de hemoglobinas en Tadaria taeniotis (chiroptera: molossidae)Peer reviewe

Stimulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is an early regulatory event for the cadmium-provoked apoptosis in human promonocytic cells

10.1074/jbc.275.15.11418 áginas, 9 figuras -- PAGS nros. 1418-11424Pulse treatment of U-937 promonocytic cells with cadmium chloride (2 h at 200 μm) provoked apoptosis and induced a rapid phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) as well as a late phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2). However, although the p38MAPK-specific inhibitor SB203580 attenuated apoptosis, the process was not affected by the ERK-specific inhibitor PD98059. The attenuation of the cadmium-provoked apoptosis by SB203580 was a highly specific effect. In fact, the kinase inhibitor did not prevent the generation of apoptosis by heat shock and camptothecin, nor the generation of necrosis by cadmium treatment of glutathione-depleted cells, nor the cadmium-provoked activation of the stress response. The generation of apoptosis was preceded by intracellular H2O2 accumulation and was accompanied by the disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, both of which were inhibited by SB203580. On the other hand, the antioxidant agent butylated hydroxyanisole-inhibited apoptosis but did not prevent p38MAPK phosphorylation. In a similar manner, p38MAPK phosphorylation was not affected by the caspase inhibitors Z-VAD and DEVD-CHO, which nevertheless prevented apoptosis. These results indicate that p38MAPK activation is an early and specific regulatory event for the cadmium-provoked apoptosis in promonocytic cells. Cadmium and other heavy metals are frequent environmental contaminants with well known mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects (1). Another property of heavy metals (and of other physical and chemical agents, such as heat and inhibitors of energy metabolism) is the capacity to induce the stress response, characterized by the synthesis and accumulation of heat-shock proteins (HSPs)1 (2). The stimulation of HSP gene expression by stress inducers in higher eukaryotes seems to be specifically regulated by heat-shock factor 1 (HSF1). Thus, under stressful conditions, HSF1 undergoes trimerization, translocation to the nucleus, binding to the heat-shock consensus elements, and finally hyperphosphorylation to fully acquire the transactivation capacity (3). In addition, stress inducers may provoke cell death, either apoptotic or necrotic, depending on the intensity of the treatments (4, 5). The morphological characteristics of apoptosis and necrosis are well known (6-8). Thus, during apoptosis the cells undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic shrinkage, the chromatin is partitioned into multiple fragments, and the cells are broken into multiple membrane-surrounded bodies (“apoptotic bodies”), but the cell membrane retains its integrity during the process. By contrast, necrosis is characterized by cell swelling and a rapid loss of membrane integrity. However, the regulation of apoptosis and necrosis and the factors that decide the selection of one or the other mode of death are still poorly known.One of the most relevant aspects in the regulation of both the stress response and apoptosis is the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a family of serine/threonine kinases that mediate intracellular signal transduction in response to different stimuli (9). The MAPK family members are themselves activated by reversible dual phosphorylation on a Thr-Xaa-Tyr conserved motif, by specific mitogen-activated protein kinases kinases. To date, three major MAPKs have been identified, namely the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2, p44/p42), the stress-activated protein kinases (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases, stress-activated protein kinase 1), and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38MAPK, stress-activated protein kinase 2). ERK1/2 are mainly (although not exclusively) activated by growth factors (10, 11) and are critically involved in the regulation of mitogenesis. On the other hand, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases and p38MAPK are mainly activated by cytotoxic insults and are often associated with apoptosis (12-18). It was recently reported that cadmium chloride induced the stress response and caused a dose-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK (but not of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases) in association with mitogenesis and apoptosis, respectively, in rat brain tumor cells (19). Whereas it was demonstrated that both kinases were involved in the regulation of the stress response, it is not clear whether they were also required to induce cell death. In the present work we investigated the capacity of cadmium chloride to induce p38MAPK and ERK1/2 activation and to cause cell death in U-937 human promonocytic cells. It was concluded that p38MAPK activation is an early and specific requirement for the cadmium-provoked apoptosis, which precedes and probably modulates the expression of other regulatory eventsThis work was supported by Grant PB97-0144 from the Dirección General de Enseñanza Superior e Investigación Cientı́fica, Grant 08.1/0027/1997 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain (to P. A.), Grant RPG-97-092-01-CNE from the American Cancer Society, and Grant ROI-CA 74197-01 from the National Institutes of Health (to M. G. K.).The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.Peer reviewe

Pol5 is an essential ribosome biogenesis factor required for 60S ribosomal subunit maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

© 2019 Ramos-Sáenz et al.In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more than 250 trans-acting factors are involved in the maturation of 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits. The expression of most of these factors is transcriptionally coregulated to ensure correct ribosome production under a wide variety of environmental and intracellular conditions. Here, we identified the essential nucleolar Pol5 protein as a novel trans-acting factor required for the synthesis of 60S ribosomal subunits. Pol5 weakly and/or transiently associates with early to medium pre-60S ribosomal particles. Depletion of and temperature-sensitive mutations in Pol5 result in a deficiency of 60S ribosomal subunits and accumulation of half-mer polysomes. Both processing of 27SB pre-rRNA to mature 25S rRNA and release of pre-60S ribosomal particles from the nucle(ol)us to the cytoplasm are impaired in the Pol5-depleted strain. Moreover, we identified the genes encoding ribosomal proteins uL23 and eL27A as multicopy suppressors of the slow growth of a temperature-sensitive pol5 mutant. These results suggest that Pol5 could function in ensuring the correct folding of 25S rRNA domain III; thus, favoring the correct assembly of these two ribosomal proteins at their respective binding sites into medium pre-60S ribosomal particles. Pol5 is homologous to the human tumor suppressor Myb-binding protein 1A (MYBBP1A). However, expression of MYBBP1A failed to complement the lethal phenotype of a pol5 null mutant strain though interfered with 60S ribosomal subunit biogenesis.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and ERDF to J.d.l.C. (BFU2016-75352-P AEI/FEDER, EU) and to M.D. (BFU2014-52729-P, BFU2017-88192-P). D.G.-A. is a recipient of a contract of the Youth Employment Initiative from the University of Seville/Junta de Andalucía/European Social Fund