Cornici mentali e stereotipie didattiche nella formazione degli insegnanti

Evidence based research on the efficacy of instruction and teachers with expertise recentlyhas provided a framework for new models of teacher training. It has highlightedespecially how teaching mind frames are elements to distinguish between teacherswith or without expertise. Revealing teachers’ mind frames and especially their implicitmisconceptions may be of particular relevance to promote a critical reflection and acomparison with teaching behaviors informed by evidence. This paper describes theEffective Teaching Questionnaire (ETQ) designed for this purpose. It has been administeredto ungraduated students – first year of university course – and teachers. Resultsshow no substantial differences between instructional misconceptions of studentsand teachers. This suggests that misconceptions remain similar over the years withno relevant changes during university education.Le recenti acquisizioni che provengono dalla Evidence Based Education relative alleazioni proprie della didattica efficace e degli insegnanti esperti forniscono un quadrodi riferimento per nuovi modelli di formazione; esse mettono in evidenza in particolarecome le cornici mentali che guidano le scelte didattiche degli insegnanti rappresentinoun elemento fondamentale da cui deriva la differenza tra insegnanti espertie non esperti. Portare alla luce le cornici mentali degli insegnanti e le loro credenzedidattiche diventa di particolare importanza nell’intento di favorire una riflessione criticae un confronto con le azioni didattiche informate da evidenza. Il presente lavoroillustra uno strumento, l’Effective Teaching Questionnaire (ETQ), progettato per questoscopo. Significativo è il fatto che dalle applicazioni condotte sia su studenti all’iniziodel loro percorso in Scienze della Formazione Primaria sia su insegnanti in servizioemerga un substrato di misconcezioni, in ambiti rilevanti, che sembra mantenersi indennenegli anni, senza essere sostanzialmente modificato nemmeno dalla formazioneuniversitaria

Breaking the rules of time-domain diffuse optics: working with 1 cm2 SiPM and well-beyond the single-photon statistics

Time domain diffuse optics (TD-DO) relies on the injection of ps laser pulses and on the collection of the arrival times of scattered photons. To reach the ultimate limits of the technique (allowing to investigate even structures at depth >5 cm), a large area detector is needed. To this extent, we realized and present a new silicon photomultiplier featuring a 1 cm2 area. To the best of our knowledge, it represents the largest detector ever proposed for TD-DO and shows a light harvesting capability which is more than 1 decade larger than the state-of-the-art technology system. To assess its suitability for TDDO measurements, we tested the detector with several procedures from shared protocols (BIP, nEUROPt and MEDPHOT). However, the light harvesting capability of a detector with large area can be proficiently exploited only if coupled to timing electronics working in sustained count-rate CR (i.e., well above the single photon statistics). For this reason, we study the possibility to work in a regime where (even more than) one photon per laser pulse is detected (i.e., more than 100% laser repetition rate) exploiting in-silico technology. The results show that the possibility to use sustained count-rate represents a dramatic improvement in the number of photons detected with respect to current approaches (where count-rate of 1-5% of the laser repetition rate are used) without significant losses in the measurement accuracy. This represents a new horizon for TD-DO measurements, opening the way to new applications (e.g., optical investigation of the lung or monitoring of fast dynamics never studied before)

The spreading of the invasive sacred ibis in Italy

The spreading of invasive species in new continents can vary from slow and limited diffusion to fast colonisations over vast new areas. We studied the sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus along a 31-year period, from 1989 to 2019, with particular attention to the first area of release in NW Italy. We collected data on species distribution through observations by citizen science projects, population density by transects with distance method, breeding censuses at colonies, and post breeding censuses at roosts. The birds counted at winter roosts in NW Italy increased from a few tens up to 10,880 individuals in 2019. Sacred ibises started breeding in 1989, with a single nest in north-western Italy. The number of breeders remained very low until 2006, when both overwintering and breeding sacred ibises started to increase exponentially and expand their range throughout northern Italy with isolated breeding cases in central Italy. In 2019, the number of nests had increased to 1249 nests in 31 colonies. In NW Italy, the density of foraging birds averaged 3.9 ind./km2 in winter and 1.5 ind./km2 in the breeding period, with a mean size of the foraging groups of 8.9 and 2.1 birds respectively. Direct field observations and species distribution models (SDM) showed that foraging habitats were mainly rice fields and wetlands. A SDM applied to the whole Italian peninsula plus Sardinia and Sicily showed that the variables best related to the SDM were land class (rice fields and wetlands), altitude, and the temperature seasonality. The areas favourable for species expansion encompass all the plains of Northern Italy, and several areas of Tuscany, Latium, Sardinia, and Apulia

mirnas may change rapidly with thoughts the relaxation response after myocardial infarction

Abstract Introduction Mental stress is potentially a major cardiovascular risk factor. Meditation and listening to music may be able to compensate by eliciting the Relaxation Response (RR) with a beneficial prognostic impact after myocardial infarction (MI), reducing the progression of the arteriosclerotic process and improving coronary blood flow. We aimed to study a possible epigenetic mechanism of the RR speculating that circulating microRNAs levels could change during relaxation. Methods We enrolled 150 consecutive patients after MI. 50 were trained to meditate, 50 given music appreciation and 50 served as controls. In addition, in order to rule out that the disease state could interfere with the possible movement of microRNAs, we enrolled 50 healthy volunteers (25 were trained to meditate and 25 had music appreciation). After training, and after 60 days of RR practice, we studied the individual variation, before and after the relaxation session, of some important cardiovascular circulating microRNAs: the microRNA-1, −16, −24, −33, −92, −144, −146, −155. Results As the RR appeared to be triggered in the same way irrespective of whether this was by music or meditation data was combined. After the RR, a reduction in microRNA-16, −33, −92, −144, −146, −155 (p  Conclusions The RR modulates some microRNAs levels suggesting that psychic activity may be an important epigenetic and pathophysiological factor in the arteriosclerotic process and in ischemic heart disease. In particular, the analyzed microRNAs levels seems to vary in relation to the state of stress or relaxation of the subjects

Administración de amoxicilina a un paciente con mononucleosis infecciosa. Reporte de un caso de reacción adversa

Describir un caso clínico de un paciente tratado con amoxicilina (AMX) mientras cursaba una infección viral, en el que se detectaron errores de medicación (EM) y reacciones adversas a medicamentos (RAM).Descripción del caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 7 años y 23 kg concurrió a la guardia del hospital presentando fatiga, fiebre y ganglios linfáticos inflamados. Se diagnosticó faringitis bacteriana y se indicó AMX 50 mg/kg/día vía oral/8 h. Al día siguiente, el paciente fue nuevamente al hospital presentando rash cutáneo en todo el cuerpo. Se advirtió evento adverso (EA) por diagnóstico erróneo y se diagnosticó mononucleosis infecciosa (MI). Se suspendió la AMX y hubo remisión del rash.Un farmacéutico hospitalario realizó la imputación utilizando el algoritmo de Naranjo (puntaje 5-8) y notificó al Sistema Unificado de Farmacovigilancia de Córdoba.Discusión: Es fundamental el diagnóstico adecuado de la MI para evitar el uso inapropiado de antibióticos ante una infección viral. En el caso descripto ocurrió un EM en la etapa de prescripción, debido al diagnóstico incorrecto, y una RAM por el uso de AMX. El puntaje obtenido permitió catalogar a esta RAM como probable, no pudiendo ser considerada definida/probada por no haber reexposición; aunque el EA apareció luego de la administración de un fármaco sospechoso y no existieron causas alternativas para explicar esta reacción. Además, el EA desapareció tras suspender la AMX.Esto enfatiza el rol protagónico del farmacéutico para promover la seguridad de pacientes y la importancia de las notificaciones.Fil: García, Mónica Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Cavigliasso, Julieta. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Valentín, Rocío. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Gola, Camila. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Seguro, María Laura. Sanatorio Privado Aconcagua; ArgentinaFil: Romañuk, Carolina Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentin

Characteristics of people living in Italy after a cancer diagnosis in 2010 and projections to 2020

BACKGROUND: Estimates of cancer prevalence are widely based on limited duration, often including patients living after a cancer diagnosis made in the previous 5 years and less frequently on complete prevalence (i.e., including all patients regardless of the time elapsed since diagnosis). This study aims to provide estimates of complete cancer prevalence in Italy by sex, age, and time since diagnosis for all cancers combined, and for selected cancer types. Projections were made up to 2020, overall and by time since diagnosis. METHODS: Data were from 27 Italian population-based cancer registries, covering 32% of the Italian population, able to provide at least 7 years of registration as of December 2009 and follow-up of vital status as of December 2013. The data were used to compute the limited-duration prevalence, in order to estimate the complete prevalence by means of the COMPREV software. RESULTS: In 2010, 2,637,975 persons were estimated to live in Italy after a cancer diagnosis, 1.2 million men and 1.4 million women, or 4.6% of the Italian population. A quarter of male prevalent cases had prostate cancer (n\u2009=\u2009305,044), while 42% of prevalent women had breast cancer (n\u2009=\u2009604,841). More than 1.5 million people (2.7% of Italians) were alive since 5 or more years after diagnosis and 20% since 6515 years. It is projected that, in 2020 in Italy, there will be 3.6 million prevalent cancer cases (+\u200937% vs 2010). The largest 10-year increases are foreseen for prostate (+\u200985%) and for thyroid cancers (+\u200979%), and for long-term survivors diagnosed since 20 or more years (+\u200945%). Among the population aged 6575 years, 22% will have had a previous cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The number of persons living after a cancer diagnosis is estimated to rise of approximately 3% per year in Italy. The availability of detailed estimates and projections of the complete prevalence are intended to help the implementation of guidelines aimed to enhance the long-term follow-up of cancer survivors and to contribute their rehabilitation need

Immunogenicity of Mycobacterial Extracellular Vesicles Isolated From Host-Related Conditions Informs About Tuberculosis Disease Status

Tuberculosis (TB) still represents a major global health problem affecting over 10 million people worldwide. The gold-standard procedures for TB diagnosis are culture and nucleic acid amplification techniques. In this context, both lipoarabinomannan (LAM) urine test and rapid molecular tests have been major game changers. However, the low sensitivity of the former and the cost and the prohibitive infrastructure requirements to scale-up in endemic regions of the latter, make the improvement of the TB diagnostic landscape a priority. Most forms of life produce extracellular vesicles (EVs), including bacteria despite differences in bacterial cell envelope architecture. We demonstrated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, produces EVs in vitro and in vivo as part of a sophisticated mechanism to manipulate host cellular physiology and to evade the host immune system. In a previous serology study, we showed that the recognition of several mycobacterial extracellular vesicles (MEV) associated proteins could have diagnostic properties. In this study, we pursued to expand the capabilities of MEVs in the context of TB diagnostics by analyzing the composition of MEVs isolated from Mtb cultures submitted to iron starvation and, testing their immunogenicity against a new cohort of serum samples derived from TB+ patients, latent TB-infected (LTBI) patients and healthy donors. We found that despite the stringent condition imposed by iron starvation, Mtb reduces the number of MEV associated proteins relative to iron sufficient conditions. In addition, TB serology revealed three new MEV antigens with specific biomarker capacity. These results suggest the feasibility of developing a point-of-care (POC) device based on selected MEV-associated proteins

NOX4-derived ROS are neuroprotective by balancing intracellular calcium stores

Hyperexcitability is associated with neuronal dysfunction, cellular death, and consequently neurodegeneration. Redox disbalance can contribute to hyperexcitation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels are observed in various neurological diseases. NOX4 is an NADPH oxidase known to produce ROS and might have a regulating function during oxidative stress. We, therefore, aimed to determine the role of NOX4 on neuronal firing, hyperexcitability, and hyperexcitability-induced changes in neural network function. Using a multidimensional approach of an in vivo model of hyperexcitability, proteomic analysis, and cellular function analysis of ROS, mitochondrial integrity, and calcium levels, we demonstrate that NOX4 is neuroprotective by regulating ROS and calcium homeostasis and thereby preventing hyperexcitability and consequently neuronal death. These results implicate NOX4 as a potential redox regulator that is beneficial in hyperexcitability and thereby might have an important role in neurodegeneration.</p

Worldwide comparison of survival from childhood leukaemia for 1995–2009, by subtype, age, and sex (CONCORD-2): a population-based study of individual data for 89 828 children from 198 registries in 53 countries

Background Global inequalities in access to health care are reflected in differences in cancer survival. The CONCORD programme was designed to assess worldwide differences and trends in population-based cancer survival. In this population-based study, we aimed to estimate survival inequalities globally for several subtypes of childhood leukaemia. Methods Cancer registries participating in CONCORD were asked to submit tumour registrations for all children aged 0-14 years who were diagnosed with leukaemia between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2009, and followed up until Dec 31, 2009. Haematological malignancies were defined by morphology codes in the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third revision. We excluded data from registries from which the data were judged to be less reliable, or included only lymphomas, and data from countries in which data for fewer than ten children were available for analysis. We also excluded records because of a missing date of birth, diagnosis, or last known vital status. We estimated 5-year net survival (ie, the probability of surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis, after controlling for deaths from other causes [background mortality]) for children by calendar period of diagnosis (1995-99, 2000-04, and 2005-09), sex, and age at diagnosis (< 1, 1-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years, inclusive) using appropriate life tables. We estimated age-standardised net survival for international comparison of survival trends for precursor-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Findings We analysed data from 89 828 children from 198 registries in 53 countries. During 1995-99, 5-year agestandardised net survival for all lymphoid leukaemias combined ranged from 10.6% (95% CI 3.1-18.2) in the Chinese registries to 86.8% (81.6-92.0) in Austria. International differences in 5-year survival for childhood leukaemia were still large as recently as 2005-09, when age-standardised survival for lymphoid leukaemias ranged from 52.4% (95% CI 42.8-61.9) in Cali, Colombia, to 91.6% (89.5-93.6) in the German registries, and for AML ranged from 33.3% (18.9-47.7) in Bulgaria to 78.2% (72.0-84.3) in German registries. Survival from precursor-cell ALL was very close to that of all lymphoid leukaemias combined, with similar variation. In most countries, survival from AML improved more than survival from ALL between 2000-04 and 2005-09. Survival for each type of leukaemia varied markedly with age: survival was highest for children aged 1-4 and 5-9 years, and lowest for infants (younger than 1 year). There was no systematic difference in survival between boys and girls. Interpretation Global inequalities in survival from childhood leukaemia have narrowed with time but remain very wide for both ALL and AML. These results provide useful information for health policy makers on the effectiveness of health-care systems and for cancer policy makers to reduce inequalities in childhood survival

Global surveillance of cancer survival 1995-2009: analysis of individual data for 25,676,887 patients from 279 population-based registries in 67 countries (CONCORD-2)

BACKGROUND: Worldwide data for cancer survival are scarce. We aimed to initiate worldwide surveillance of cancer survival by central analysis of population-based registry data, as a metric of the effectiveness of health systems, and to inform global policy on cancer control. METHODS: Individual tumour records were submitted by 279 population-based cancer registries in 67 countries for 25·7 million adults (age 15-99 years) and 75,000 children (age 0-14 years) diagnosed with cancer during 1995-2009 and followed up to Dec 31, 2009, or later. We looked at cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum, liver, lung, breast (women), cervix, ovary, and prostate in adults, and adult and childhood leukaemia. Standardised quality control procedures were applied; errors were corrected by the registry concerned. We estimated 5-year net survival, adjusted for background mortality in every country or region by age (single year), sex, and calendar year, and by race or ethnic origin in some countries. Estimates were age-standardised with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. FINDINGS: 5-year survival from colon, rectal, and breast cancers has increased steadily in most developed countries. For patients diagnosed during 2005-09, survival for colon and rectal cancer reached 60% or more in 22 countries around the world; for breast cancer, 5-year survival rose to 85% or higher in 17 countries worldwide. Liver and lung cancer remain lethal in all nations: for both cancers, 5-year survival is below 20% everywhere in Europe, in the range 15-19% in North America, and as low as 7-9% in Mongolia and Thailand. Striking rises in 5-year survival from prostate cancer have occurred in many countries: survival rose by 10-20% between 1995-99 and 2005-09 in 22 countries in South America, Asia, and Europe, but survival still varies widely around the world, from less than 60% in Bulgaria and Thailand to 95% or more in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the USA. For cervical cancer, national estimates of 5-year survival range from less than 50% to more than 70%; regional variations are much wider, and improvements between 1995-99 and 2005-09 have generally been slight. For women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005-09, 5-year survival was 40% or higher only in Ecuador, the USA, and 17 countries in Asia and Europe. 5-year survival for stomach cancer in 2005-09 was high (54-58%) in Japan and South Korea, compared with less than 40% in other countries. By contrast, 5-year survival from adult leukaemia in Japan and South Korea (18-23%) is lower than in most other countries. 5-year survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is less than 60% in several countries, but as high as 90% in Canada and four European countries, which suggests major deficiencies in the management of a largely curable disease. INTERPRETATION: International comparison of survival trends reveals very wide differences that are likely to be attributable to differences in access to early diagnosis and optimum treatment. Continuous worldwide surveillance of cancer survival should become an indispensable source of information for cancer patients and researchers and a stimulus for politicians to improve health policy and health-care systems