Análisis de las publicaciones presentes en WoS y Scopus. Posibilidades de búsqueda para evitar literatura fugitiva en las revisiones sistemáticas

The current paper carries out a systematic revision of existing literature around the use of gamification in Higher Education. The aim is to the reveal the existence of fugitive literature that can appear when carrying out research following this method. From six hypothesis, and on the basis of this study, substantive and extrinsic variables which can detect the present or absence of publications on gamification in WoS and Scopus are analysed. Eligibility requirements include the following key words: ‘Gamification’, ‘Game Based Learning’, ‘Higher Education’, or ‘University’ in both, Spanish and English, being the filter used for query Open Access. The main sample is made of 246 publications, and 89% of them show relevance to the area under study. The great majority of articles published in the last five years in countries such as Switzerland, where most works about gamification in Higher Education are produced. They are mostly written in English. And the journal that contains most of the articles about this topic is Sustainability, indexed in WoS and Scopus. The latter seems to be the database with higher indexing of articles, among the ones here analysed, far from ESCI. Through our analysis and the results obtained the different reasons for fugitive literature are justified. This study states, at the end, the necessity to search in different databases from WoS and Scopus to reduce the amount of fugitive literature, mainly when systematic revisions in a language different from English need to be done.En el presente artículo se realiza una revisión sistemática de la literatura existente en torno al uso de la gamificación en la Educación Superior, con el objetivo de mostrar la existencia de literatura fugitiva que puede surgir al realizar cualquier investigación bajo este método. A través de seis hipótesis de partida, y en base a la naturaleza del estudio, se analizan variables sustantivas y extrínsecas que permiten detectar el motivo de la presencia o ausencia de publicaciones sobre gamificación en Wos y Scopus. Los criterios de elegibilidad incluyen las palabras clave “Gamificación” o “Aprendizaje Basado en el Juego” y “Educación Superior” o “Universidad” en español e inglés, siendo el filtro utilizado para la búsqueda Open Access. El n que conforma la muestra es de 246 publicaciones, de las cuales el 89% muestran pertinencia con el área objeto de estudio. Se trata, en su mayoría, de artículos publicados en los últimos cinco años, en países como Suiza, donde se concentra la mayor cantidad de trabajos sobre el uso de la gamificación en Educación Superior. El idioma en el que están publicados los trabajos analizados es, principalmente, inglés. Y la revista que presenta un mayor número de artículos sobre la temática es Sustainability, indexada en WoS y Scopus. Esta última resulta ser la base de datos con mayor indexación de artículos entre las analizadas, muy distanciada de ESCI. A través de los análisis realizados y los resultados obtenidos se justifican los diferentes motivos de la existencia de literatura fugitiva. El estudio concluye afirmando la necesidad de buscar en bases de datos diferentes a WoS y Scopus, para reducir la cantidad de literatura fugitiva, sobre todo cuando se trata de realizar revisiones sistemáticas en un idioma diferente al inglé

Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (EDS): la posibilidad de otra mirada

La adenda persigue explorar algunas de las sendas pedagógicas que subyacen de la interesante cuestión que inaugura la ponencia: ¿Es la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (EDS) la respuesta a la crisis socioambiental? La perspectiva desde la que se invita a la reflexión, la sospecha, no resulta menos atrayente. Esta aportación pretende ofrecer una respuesta alternativa formulada en el ejercicio opuesto al propuesto, el de la confianza; la confianza en el ser humano y en sus propias capacidades, a partir de los resultados de un estudio empírico realizado con población infantil y una visión esperanzadora de la técnica

Deregulation of the imprinted DLK1-DIO3 locus ncRNAs is associated with replicative senescence of human adipose-derived stem cells

Background Human adult adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have become the most promising cell source for regenerative medicine. However the prolonged ex vivo expansion periods required to obtain the necessary therapeutic dose promotes progressive senescence, with the concomitant reduction of their therapeutic potential. Aim and scope A better understanding of the determinants of hADSC senescence is needed to improve biosafety while preserving therapeutic efficiency. Here, we investigated the association between deregulation of the imprinted DLK1-DIO3 region and replicative senescence in hADSC cultures. Methods We compared hADSC cultures at short (P S ) and prolonged (P L ) passages, both in standard and low [O 2 ] (21 and 3%, respectively), in relation to replicative senescence. hADSCs were evaluated for expression alterations in the DLK1-DIO3 region on chromosome 14q32, and particularly in its main miRNA cluster. Results Comparison of hADSCs cultured at P L or P S surprisingly showed a quite significant fraction (69%) of upregulated miRNAs in P L cultures mapping to the imprinted 14q32 locus, the largest miRNA cluster described in the genome. In agreement, expression of the lncRNA MEG3 (Maternally Expressed 3; Meg3/Gtl2), cultured at 21 and 3% [O 2 ], was also significantly higher in P L than in P S passages. During hADSC replicative senescence the AcK16H4 activating mark was found to be significantly associated with the deregulation of the entire DLK1-DIO3 locus, with a secondary regulatory role for the methylation of DMR regions. Conclusion A direct relationship between DLK1-DIO3 deregulation and replicative senescence of hADSCs is reported, involving upregulation of a very significant fraction of its largest miRNA cluster (14q32.31), paralleled by the progressive overexpression of the lncRNA MEG3, which plays a central role in the regulation of Dlk1/Dio3 activation status in mice.This work was supported by grants to AB from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry (SAF2015-70882-R; AEI/FEDER, UE), Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (S2010/BMD-2420), Instituto Salud Carlos III (RETICS TerCel, RD12/0019/0018) and the European Commission (FP7-HEALTH- 2009/CARE-MI). AMS was supported by grants from the MINECO (SAF2010–17167) and Instituto Salud Carlos III (RETICS TerCel, RD12/0019/0013), and MFF and RGU by grants from the Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2013-2016/FEDER (PI15/ 00892), the Asturias Regional Government (GRUPIN14-052), the IUOPA (Obra Social Cajastur) and the Fundación Científica de la AECC. SGL held a predoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Programa de Formación del Profesorado Universitari

Diseño y validación de un cuestionario para evaluar la metodología Aprendizaje-Servicio

The objective of this work is to design and validate a measurement instrument to evaluate the ApS methodology. The study sample was 180 students from nine Spanish universities. As a result of the literature consulted and professional experience, three dimensions are proposed on the ApS, and analyse its reliability, the values of the discrimination coeffi cient of the items and the Confi rmatory Factorial Analysis, with satisfactory results. Thus, the proposed instrument contributes to the study of the evaluation of the ApS methodology, theoretically based and complying with the psychometric characteristics related to its reliability and validity.El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo diseñar y validar un instrumento de medida para evaluar la metodología Aprendizaje-Servicio. El estudio contó con una muestra de 180 estudiantes pertenecientes a 9 universidades españolas. A raíz de la literatura consultada y la experiencia profesional, se proponen tres dimensiones sobre el ApS en las que se analizan la fi abilidad, los valores del coefi ciente de discriminación de los ítems y el Análisis Factorial Confi rmatorio, con resultados satisfactorios. Así pues, el instrumento propuesto contribuye al estudio de la evaluación de la metodología ApS, fundamentado teóricamente y cumpliendo con las características psicométricas relativas a su fiabilidad y validez

Targeted Metabolomics Shows That the Level of Glutamine, Kynurenine, Acyl-Carnitines and Lysophosphatidylcholines Is Significantly Increased in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients.

The composition of the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma is relevant to understand the underlying causes of the pathology. Information on the concentration of metabolites and small molecules in the aqueous humor of healthy subjects is limited. Among the causes of the limitations is the lack of healthy controls since, until recently, they were not surgically intervened; therefore, the aqueous humor of patients operated for cataract was used as a reference. Sixteen aqueous humor samples from healthy subjects undergoing refractive surgery and eight samples from glaucoma patients were used to assess the concentration of 188 compounds using chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of 80 of the 188 was found to be reliable, allowing comparison of data from the two groups (glaucoma and control). The pattern found in the controls is similar to, but not the same as, that reported using samples from 'controls' undergoing cataract surgery. Comparing data from glaucoma patients and healthy subjects, 57 of the 80 compounds were significantly (p < 0.05) altered in the aqueous humor. Kynurenine and glutamine, but not glutamate, were significantly increased in the glaucoma samples. Furthermore, 10 compounds were selected considering a statistical score of p < 0.0001 and the degree of change of more than double or less than half. The level of C10 (decanoyl)-carnitine decreased, while the concentration of spermidine and various acyl-carnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines increased in glaucoma. Principal component analysis showed complete segregation of controls and cases using the data for the 10 selected compounds. The receiver operating characteristic curve these 10 compounds and for glutamine allowed finding cut-off values and significant sensitivity and specificity scores. The concentration of small metabolites in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients is altered even when they take medication and are well controlled. The imbalance affects membrane components, especially those of the mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial abnormalities are a cause or consequence of glaucoma. The increase in glutamine in glaucoma is also relevant because it could be a means of keeping the concentration of glutamate under control, thus avoiding its potential to induce the death of neurons and retinal cells. Equally notable was the increase in kynurenine, which is essential in the metabolism of nicotine adenine dinucleotides

Sarcopenia and mortality in older hemodialysis patients

(1) Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. The aim of this study was to determine the association of sarcopenia, defined according to the Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) diagnostic criteria, with mortality at 24 months in very elderly hemodialysis patients. (2) A prospective study was conducted in 60 patients on chronic hemodialysis who were older than 75 years. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to EWGSOP2 criteria. Additionally, clinical, anthropometric and analytical variables and body composition by bioimpedance were assessed. The date and cause of death were recorded during 2 years of follow-up. (3) Among study participants, 41 (68%) were men, the mean age 81.85 ± 5.58 years and the dialysis vintage was 49.88 ± 40.29 months. The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 75% to 97%, depending on the criteria employed: confirmed sarcopenia ranged from 37 to 40%, and severe sarcopenia ranged from 18 to 37%. A total of 30 (50%) patients died over 24 months. Sarcopenia probability variables were not related to mortality. In contrast, sarcopenia confirmation (appendicular skeletal muscle mass, ASM) and severity (gait speed, GS) variables were associated with mortality. In multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for all-cause death was 3.03 (1.14-8.08, p = 0.028) for patients fulfilling ASM sarcopenia criteria and 3.29 (1.04-10.39, p = 0.042) for patients fulfilling GS sarcopenia criteria. (4) The diagnosis of sarcopenia by EWGSOP2 criteria is associated with an increased risk of all-cause death in elderly dialysis patients. Specifically, ASM and GS criteria could be used as mortality risk markers in elderly hemodialysis patients. Future studies should address whether the early diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia improve outcomes.This research received no external funding. E.G.-P., S.M.-F. and A.O.-A. research groups are funded by Ministerio de Economia, Industria y competitividad: FIS/Fondos FEDER (PI16/01298, PI17/00257, PI18/01386, PI19/00588, PI19/00815, PI20/00487, PI21/01430, ERA-PerMed-JTC2018 (KIDNEY ATTACK AC18/00064 and PERSTIGAN AC18/00071, ISCIII-RETIC REDinREN RD016/0009) and Sociedad Española de Nefrología, Comunidad de Madrid en Biomedicina B2017/BMD-3686 CIFRA2-CM. All authors want to thank Fundación Renal Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo (FRIAT) for its support to renal research in Spain. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Financiadores Comunidad de Madrid en Biomedicina B2017/BMD-3686 CIFRA2-CM FRIAT Fundación Renal Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo Ministerio de Economia Sociedad Española de Nefrología Spain Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras Spain PI21/0143

Búsqueda de agonistas de PPARγ para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Huntington

La enfermedad de Huntington (EH) es una enfermedad autosómica dominante que se caracteriza por un deterioro neurológico progresivo. Es uno de los trastornos hereditarios monogénicos más comunes en países occidentales, y el tiempo de supervivencia medio es de 15-20 años tras la manifestación de los primeros síntomas [1]. Actualmente no se ha desarrollado ningún fármaco que permita la remisión de la enfermedad, solo existen tratamientos paliativos. La fisiopatología de esta enfermedad se caracteriza por la acumulación de más de 35 repeticiones de trinucleótidos CAG (cola poliQ) en el gen que codifica para la proteína huntingtina (Htt). La presencia de Htt mutada da lugar a la acumulación de agregados intracelulares tóxicos y a la alteración de diferentes procesos celulares: desregulación de la expresión génica, alteración de la degradación y el plegamiento de proteínas, interrupción de la señalización sináptica y alteración del metabolismo energético, donde tiene un papel importante el receptor nuclear PPARγ [2]. En base a estos procesos, sugerimos dos dianas moleculares que aparecen principalmente alteradas en EH: Htt y PPARγ. Existen fármacos antidiabéticos agonistas de PPARγ que han demostrado efectos neuroprotectores en modelos experimentales de EH, como la Rosiglitazona, retirado por cardiotoxicidad [3]. Por tanto, proponemos iniciar una búsqueda de agonistas de PPARγ mediante la obtención de una colección de nuevas moléculas y la síntesis de compuestos derivados de la Rosiglitazona, con el fin de disminuir su cardiotoxicidad. Estas moléculas se someterían a un cribado de alto rendimiento mediante dos ensayos in vitro: uno de activación de PPARγ, y otro de paso de barrera hematoencefálica. Por último, habría que realizar ensayos preclínicos adicionales para determinar la eficacia y los posibles efectos secundarios de los fármacos seleccionado

Polyphenolic QTOF-ESI MS characterization and the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Prunus domestica.

There is an increased interest in plum research because of their metabolites’ potential bioactivities. In this study, the phenolic profiles of Prunus domestica commercial cultivars (Methley, Pisardii and Satsuma) in Costa Rica were determined by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatogra phy coupled with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry using a quadrupole-time-of-flight analyzer (UPLC-ESI-QTOF MS) on enriched phenolic extracts obtained through Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) under acidic and neutral extraction conditions. In total, 41 different phenolic compounds were identified in the skin and flesh extracts, comprising 11 flavan-3-ols, 14 flavonoids and 16 hydrox ycinnamic acids and derivatives. Neutral extractions for the skins and flesh from all of the cultivars yielded a larger number of compounds, and were particularly rich in the number of procyanidin trimers and tetramers when compared to the acid extractions. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant potential using the DPPH and ORAC methods exhibited better results for neutral extracts with Satsuma skins and Methley flesh, which showed the best values (685.0 and 801.6 mg GAE/g extract; IC50 = 4.85 and 4.39 µg/mL; and 12.55 and 12.22 mmol TE/g extract, respectively). A Two-Way ANOVA for cytotoxicity towards AGS gastric adenocarcinoma and SW620 colon adenocar cinoma indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) for PLE conditions, with better results for neutral extractions, with Satsuma skin delivering the best results (IC50 = 60.7 and 46.7 µg/mL respectively) along with Methley flesh (IC50 = 76.3 and 60.9 µg/mL, respectively). In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between TPC and ORAC (r = 0.929, p < 0.05), as well as a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between TPC and cytotoxicity towards AGS and SW620 cell lines (r = −0.776, and −0.751, respectively). A particularly high, significant, negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the number of procyanidins and cytotoxicity against the AGS (r = −0.868) and SW620 (r = −0.855) cell lines. Finally, the PCA clearly corroborated that neutral extracts are a more homogenous group exhibiting higher antioxidant and cytotoxic results regardless of the part or cultivar; therefore, our findings suggest that PLE extracts under neutral conditions would be of interest for further studies on their potential health benefits.Universidad de Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Químic

HRMS characterization, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of polyphenols in Malus domestica cultivars from Costa Rica

There is increasing interest in research into fruits as sources of secondary metabolites because of their potential bioactivities. In this study, the phenolic profiles of Malus domestica Anna and Jonagold cultivars from Costa Rica were determined by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatogra phy coupled with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) using a quadrupole-time-of-flight analyzer (UPLC-QTOF-ESI MS), on enriched-phenolic extracts from skins and flesh, obtained through Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE). In total, 48 different phenolic compounds were identified in the skin and flesh extracts, comprising 17 flavan-3-ols, 12 flavonoids, 4 chalcones, 1 glycosylated isoprenoid and 14 hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives. Among extracts, the flesh of Jonagold exhibits a larger number of polyphenols and is especially rich in procyanidin trimers, tetramers and pentamers. Evaluating total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities using ORAC and DPPH procedures yields higher values for this extract (608.8 mg GAE/g extract; 14.80 mmol TE/g extract and IC50 = 3.96 µg/mL, respectively). In addition, cytotoxicity evaluated against SW620 colon cancer cell lines and AGS gastric cancer cell lines also delivered better effects for Jonagold flesh (IC50 = 62.4 and 60.0 µg/mL, respectively). In addition, a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between TPC and cytotoxicity values against SW620 and AGS adenocarcinoma (r = −0.908, and −0.902, respectively). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was also found between the number of procyanidins and both antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity towards SW620 (r = −0.978) and AGS (r = −0.894) cell lines. These results align with Jonagold flesh exhibiting the highest abundance in procyanidin oligomers and yielding better cytotoxic and antioxidant results. In sum, our findings suggest the need for further studies on these Costa Rican apple extracts—and particularly on the extracts from Jonagold flesh—to increase the knowledge on their potential benefits for health.Universidad de Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Químic

Evolución de las poblaciones y aspectos de conservación del endemismo valenciano en peligro de extinción Limonium perplexum

Limonium perplexum Sáez & Rosselló (Plumbaginaceae) es un endemismo exclusivo de la Comunidad Valenciana (Sáez & Rosselló, 1999), únicamente presente en los acantilados de la Sierra de Irta (Peñíscola, Castellón) (Gómez-Serrano et al., 2005), donde se localiza la única población nativa conocida hasta la fecha, dentro de la microrreserva de flora denominada "Torre de la Badum"