Estudio experimental comparado de marcadores bioquímicos en la infección por Fasciola hepatica y F. gigantica

Fascioliasis is caused by the genetically and phenotypically very close Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. The latter, always considered secondary in human infection, appears nowadays increasingly involved in human endemic areas of Africa and Asia. Unfortunately, little is known about the pathogenicity of this liver fluke species, mainly due to difficulties assessing the moment of a patient's infection in the anamnesis and in the differential diagnosis with F. hepatica. This is the first experimental study comparing F. hepatica and F. gigantica in a long-term study of up to 24 weeks with genotypically and phenotypically standardised fluke strains in the same animal model host, the Guirra sheep breed susceptible to both species. Serum biochemical parameters of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase AST, alanine aminotransferase ALT, γ-glutamyl transferase GGT, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase AP), serum electrolytes (calcium, chloride, phosphore), protein metabolism (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), plasma proteins (albumin, total proteins), carbohydrate metabolism (glucose, amylase), hepatic lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, triglycerides) and inflammation (C-reactive protein), were analysed on a biweekly basis as morbidity indicators. Serum anti-Fasciola IgG, coproantigen and egg shedding were simultaneously followed up. DNA sequencing of rDNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 and mtDNA cox1 and nad1, as well as the morphometric study by CIAS, showed the two fasciolid strains used to fit respective standard species characteristics. Results demonstrated that F. gigantica is more pathogenic than F. hepatica, mostly due to its bigger size. Fasciola gigantica shows a delayed development of 1-2 weeks regarding both biliary phase and beginning of egg laying, with the respective consequences on the biochemical marker profile modifications in both the acute and chronic periods. A review on the physiopathogenicity by F. gigantica compared to that by F. hepatica is made. A biochemical marker baseline for human infection by F. gigantica is proposed to help physicians and health officers in F. gigantica human endemic areas.Fascioliasis is caused by the genetically and phenotypically very close Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. The latter, always considered secondary in human infection, appears nowadays increasingly involved in human endemic areas of Africa and Asia. Unfortunately, little is known about the pathogenicity of this liver fluke species, mainly due to difficulties assessing the moment of a patient's infection in the anamnesis and in the differential diagnosis with F. hepatica. This is the first experimental study comparing F. hepatica and F. gigantica in a long-term study of up to 24 weeks with genotypically and phenotypically standardised fluke strains in the same animal model host, the Guirra sheep breed susceptible to both species. Serum biochemical parameters of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase AST, alanine aminotransferase ALT, γ-glutamyl transferase GGT, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase AP), serum electrolytes (calcium, chloride, phosphore), protein metabolism (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), plasma proteins (albumin, total proteins), carbohydrate metabolism (glucose, amylase), hepatic lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, triglycerides) and inflammation (C-reactive protein), were analysed on a biweekly basis as morbidity indicators. Serum anti-Fasciola IgG, coproantigen and egg shedding were simultaneously followed up. DNA sequencing of rDNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 and mtDNA cox1 and nad1, as well as the morphometric study by CIAS, showed the two fasciolid strains used to fit respective standard species characteristics. Results demonstrated that F. gigantica is more pathogenic than F. hepatica, mostly due to its bigger size. Fasciola gigantica shows a delayed development of 1-2 weeks regarding both biliary phase and beginning of egg laying, with the respective consequences on the biochemical marker profile modifications in both the acute and chronic periods. A review on the physiopathogenicity by F. gigantica compared to that by F. hepatica is made. A biochemical marker baseline for human infection by F. gigantica is proposed to help physicians and health officers in F. gigantica human endemic areas

Online vs. classroom learning : examining motivational and self-regulated learning strategies among vocational education and training students

Ajut RecerCaixa 2017ACUP00129Numerous studies have been conducted to explore students' employment of motivational and self-regulated learning strategies (SRL). Research highlights the importance of having motivated students equipped with strategies that help them self-regulate their learning, this being highly important when learning is acquired through online learning programs. Nonetheless, such research has been scarce with Vocational Education and Training (VET) students; this is the gap in the literature this paper aims to address. The article analyzes the degree to which VET students employ motivational and SRL strategies by comparing them according to the learning mode chosen. To achieve this, a quantitative approach was adopted to carry out a cross-sectional study. A total of 577 first-year VET students responded to an online questionnaire based on some of the motivational and SRL strategies scale included in Pintrich's model. Statistical analyses were applied to test two hypotheses. Pintrich's model was validated through a confirmatory factor analysis considering its application to Catalan VET students for the first time. The results reveal significant differences between classroom and online students in terms of levels of metacognitive self-regulation and effort regulation when starting a VET program. However, this difference might not be entirely explained by the learning mode chosen. The findings of this study will provide VET researchers and practitioners with a greater understanding of their students' characteristics when starting the program and the means to develop strategies that ensure their engagement throughout the course

Alicia en el país de las maravillas un cuento y tres lecturas

This monograph contains an investigation on Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” from the behavioral , psychoanalytic and humanistic approaches. The authors’ interest is to discuss the different interpretations from three psychological approaches in order to establish the complexity present in this children’s story and to identify how Carroll’s personality is reflected in both his work and characters.En el presente trabajo monográfico se realiza una investigación de la obra literaria de Lewis Carroll “Alicia en el país de las maravillas” desde los enfoques conductual, psicoanalítico y humanístico. El interés de las autoras es exponer las distintas interpretaciones que se le da a “Alicia en el país de las maravillas” desde tres enfoques psicológicos distintos para establecer la complejidad presente en este cuento infantil e identificar además cómo se ve reflejada la personalidad de Lewis Carroll en su obra y en sus personajes

Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire: Task value, Metacognitive self-regulation, Effort regulation : traducció al català i adaptació per a estudiants d'FP

Dins del projecte "Necessitats de formació a la Catalunya del futur (2030) i canvis necessaris al sistema de formació professional reglat per cobrir-les" es pretén analitzar quin tipus de formació professional pot ajudar millor a assolir els reptes de futur, valorant la formació professional tradicional, la modalitat virtual i la dual, en funció també amb les característiques dels aprenents. Entre aquests reptes de futur, es considera que les estratègies d'autorregulació de l'aprenentatge constitueixen un element clau; per tal d'analitzar-les en la percepció de l'alumnat, s'ha traduït al català i adaptat al context de la formació professional tres escales del Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). S'ha validat mitjançant CFA, el qual ha permès confirmar l'estructura factorial original, amb l'eliminació de dos ítems

Session 2 - Establishment of a VET system with focus on Further Education: presentation of ideas on the motivation and establishment of a Further Education system (FES), especially in universities in Sub-Sahara Africa

Session 2 Establishment of a VET system with focus on Further Education: presentation of ideas on the motivation and establishment of an education system, particularly a Further Education system, especially in universities in Sub-Sahara Africa. While session 1 discusses the basics of VET and Further Education, session 2 deals with how to establish Further Education structures by presenting visions and ideas on their implementation and formation. Different approaches are analysed from a VET perspective to develop them for practical purposes. The focus is specifically on efforts from Sub-Saharan countries

Association of candidate genetic variants and circulating levels of ApoE/ApoJ with common neuroimaging features of cerebral amyloid angiopathy

IntroductionCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (A beta) in brain vessels and is a main cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly. CAA is associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of small vessel disease (SVD). Since A beta is also accumulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain parenchyma, we aimed to study if several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with AD were also associated with CAA pathology. Furthermore, we also studied the influence of APOE and CLU genetic variants in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and clusterin/apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) circulating levels and their distribution among lipoproteins. MethodsThe study was carried out in a multicentric cohort of 126 patients with lobar ICH and clinical suspicion of CAA. ResultsWe observed several SNPs associated with CAA neuroimaging MRI markers [cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), enlarged perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale (CSO-EPVS), lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMB), white matter hyperintensities (WMH), corticosubcortical atrophy and CAA-SVD burden score]. Concretely, ABCA7 (rs3764650), CLU (rs9331896 and rs933188), EPHA1 (rs11767557), and TREML2 (rs3747742) were significantly associated with a CAA-SVD burden score. Regarding circulating levels of apolipoproteins, protective AD SNPs of CLU [rs11136000 (T) and rs9331896 (C)] were significantly associated with higher HDL ApoJ content in the lobar ICH cohort. APOE epsilon 2 carriers presented higher plasma and LDL-associated ApoE levels whereas APOE epsilon 4 carriers presented lower plasma ApoE levels. Additionally, we observed that lower circulating ApoJ and ApoE levels were significantly associated with CAA-related MRI markers. More specifically, lower LDL-associated ApoJ and plasma and HDL-associated ApoE levels were significantly associated with CSO-EPVS, lower ApoJ content in HDL with brain atrophy and lower ApoE content in LDL with the extent of cSS. DiscussionThis study reinforces the relevance of lipid metabolism in CAA and cerebrovascular functionality. We propose that ApoJ and ApoE distribution among lipoproteins may be associated with pathological features related to CAA with higher ApoE and ApoJ levels in HDL possibly enhancing atheroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory responses in cerebral beta-amyloidosis

Sex and Gender Differences in Acute Stroke Care: Metrics, Access to Treatment and Outcome. A Territorial Analysis of the Stroke Code System of Catalonia

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have reported differences in the management and outcome of women stroke patients in comparison with men. We aim to analyze sex and gender differences in the medical assistance, access to treatment and outcome of acute stroke patients in Catalonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from a prospective population-based registry of stroke code activations in Catalonia (CICAT) from January/2016 to December/2019. The registry includes demographic data, stroke severity, stroke subtype, reperfusion therapy, and time workflow. Centralized clinical outcome at 90 days was assessed in patients receiving reperfusion therapy. RESULTS: A total of 23,371 stroke code activations were registered (54% men, 46% women). No differences in prehospital time metrics were observed. Women more frequently had a final diagnosis of stroke mimic, were older and had a previous worse functional situation. Among ischemic stroke patients, women had higher stroke severity and more frequently presented proximal large vessel occlusion. Women received more frequently reperfusion therapy (48.2% vs 43.1%, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found some differences by sex in that acute stroke was more frequent in older women and the stroke severity was higher. We found no differences in medical assistance times, access to reperfusion treatment and early complications. Worse clinical outcome at 90 days in women was conditioned by stroke severity and older age, but not by sex itself

AG5 is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and immune regulator that preserves innate immunity

12 pages, 5 figures.-- This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND licenseAn archetypal anti-inflammatory compound against cytokine storm would inhibit it without suppressing the innate immune response. AG5, an anti-inflammatory compound, has been developed as synthetic derivative of andrographolide, which is highly absorbable and presents low toxicity. We found that the mechanism of action of AG5 is through the inhibition of caspase-1. Interestingly, we show with in vitro generated human monocyte derived dendritic cells that AG5 preserves innate immune response. AG5 minimizes inflammatory response in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and exhibits in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy in the SARS-CoV-2-infected mouse model. AG5 opens up a new class of anti-inflammatories, since contrary to NSAIDs, AG5 is able to inhibit the cytokine storm, like dexamethasone, but, unlike corticosteroids, preserves adequately the innate immunity. This is critical at the early stages of any naïve infection, but particularly in SARS-CoV-2 infections. Furthermore, AG5 showed interesting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in humanized miceThis work has been supported by NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) through the PTI+ Global Health Platform of Spanish National Research Council, grants SGL2103023 (PBA), SGL2103053 (MMA) and SGL2103015 (MM); by Spanish National Research Council through the program “Ayudas extraodinarias a proyectos de investigacion en el marco de las medidas urgentes extraodinarias para hacer frente al impacto económico y social del COVID-19”, grants CSIC-COV19-093 (PBA) and CSIC-COV19-117 (MM); by Generalitat Valenciana through the program “Ayudas urgentes para proyectos de investigación, desarrollo tecnológico e innovación (I+D+i) por la COVID-19”, grant GVA-COVID19/2021/059 (PBA); by the Conference of Rectors of the Spanish Universities, Spanish National Research Council and Banco Santander through the FONDO SUPERA COVID-19, grant CAPriCORn (JSM, JMB); by Severo Ochoa center of excellence program (grant CEX2021-001230-S) (PBA)Peer reviewe

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men