Suchergebnisse

En la asignatura 5459 "Metodología en la enseñanza de las Ciencias Sociales" de la Universidad de Murcia se contempla la introducción de las competencias de pensamiento histórico hacia un mejor diseño curricular en Educación Primaria. El principal objetivo de esta investigación es el de realizar un análisis cualitativo comparado sobre la presencia de conceptos de pensamiento histórico en la legislación educativa de Educación Primaria de los 4 países seleccionados: España, Portugal, Suecia e Italia. Para realizar el análisis cualitativo se diseñó "ad hoc" un instrumento de investigación que recogiera los ítems a analizar en función de tres categorías: estructura formal de la enseñanza, macro-conceptos (objetivos, contenidos, metodología y evaluación) y subconceptos (contenidos conceptuales de Ciencias Sociales, contenidos y destrezas de pensamiento histórico, estándares de aprendizaje evaluables). Entre los principales resultados obtenidos, destaca la posición relevante de Portugal, cuyo currículum recoge, en relación a la Didáctica de la Historia, mayor grado los contenidos que se refieren al pensamiento histórico. A modo de conclusión se puede evidenciar que, un desarrollo legislativo más flexible y vinculado al conocimiento de contenidos que permitan al alumnado indagar, usar las fuentes y analizar la información histórica mediante el pensamiento crítico coincide con mejores resultados en los países donde se aplica y, por lo tanto, mejora activamente la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Historia.

La irrupción de las nuevas tecnologías en la vida cotidiana ha supuesto una enorme revolución a la hora de determinar tanto las relaciones entre los sujetos como de comprender e interpretar la realidad. Por ello, la alfabetización mediática se plantea hoy como una disciplina indispensable en los sistemas educativos de todo el mundo. Este artículo recoge los resultados obtenidos en un experimento con estudiantes de educación secundaria. El objetivo es observar hasta qué punto la alfabetización mediática puede resultar de utilidad a la hora de potenciar las competencias interpretativas de los estudiantes. La muestra está formada por alumnos de 14-15 años, pertenecientes al curso Décimo de tres centros escolares de Guayaquil. La variable independiente es conformada por cinco spots. Los resultados subrayan que, al margen del contexto socioeconómico, los alumnos instruidos mediáticamente muestran una capacidad interpretativa y decodificadora superior a aquellos otros que no lo fueron.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the Western society and is increasing in the developing world. It is considered as one of the major contributors to the global burden of disability and chronic diseases, including autoimmune, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Research conducted on obesity and its complications over the last two decades has transformed the outdated concept of white adipose tissue (WAT) merely serving as an energy depot. WAT is now recognized as an active and inflammatory organ capable of producing a wide variety of factors known as adipokines. These molecules participate through endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, or juxtacrine cross-talk mechanisms in a great variety of physiological or pathophysiological processes, regulating food intake, insulin sensitivity, immunity, and inflammation. Although initially restricted to metabolic activities (regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism), adipokines currently represent a new family of proteins that can be considered key players in the complex network of soluble mediators involved in the pathophysiology of immune/inflammatory diseases. However, the complexity of the adipokine network in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory diseases has posed, since the beginning, the important question of whether it may be possible to target the mechanism(s) by which adipokines contribute to disease selectively without suppressing their physiological functions. Here we explore in depth the most recent findings concerning the involvement of adipokines in inflammation and immune responses, in particular in rheumatic, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. We also highlight several possible strategies for therapeutic development and propose that adipokines and their signalling pathways may represent innovative therapeutic strategies for inflammatory disorders. ; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: OG and FL are Staff Personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude, SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS). VF is a "Sara Borrell" Researcher funded by ISCIII and FEDER. RG is a "Miguel Servet" Researcher funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. OG, MAGG and RG are members of RETICS Programme, RD16/0012/0014 (RIER: Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas) via Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. FL is a member of CIBERCV (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares). The work of OG (PIE13/00024 and PI14/00016, PI17/00409), FL (PI15/00681 and CB16/11/00226) and RG (PI16/01870 and CP15/00007) was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER. OG is a beneficiary of a project funded by Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme (Project number 734899). AM has received funding from the European Commission Framework 7 programme (EU FP7; HEALTH.2012.2.4.5-2, project number 305815; Novel Diagnostics and Biomarkers for Early Identification of Chronic Inflammatory Joint Diseases) plus generous support from the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No. 115770, resources of which are composed of financial contribution from the European Union's Seventh Framework programme (FP7/2007-2013) and EFPIA companies' in kind contribution. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Obesity is an epidemic disease characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation associated with a dysfunctional fat mass. Adipose tissue is now considered an extremely active endocrine organ that secretes cytokine-like hormones, called adipokines, either pro- or anti-inflammatory factors bridging metabolism to the immune system. Leptin is historically one of most relevant adipokines, with important physiological roles in the central control of energy metabolism and in the regulation of metabolism-immune system interplay, being a cornerstone of the emerging field of immunometabolism. Indeed, leptin receptor is expressed throughout the immune system and leptin has been shown to regulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. This review discusses the latest data regarding the role of leptin as a mediator of immune system and metabolism, with particular emphasis on its effects on obesity-associated metabolic disorders and autoimmune and/or inflammatory rheumatic diseases. ; OG is Staff Personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude, SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS). VF is a "Sara Borrell" Researcher funded by ISCIII and FEDER. RG is a "Miguel Servet" Researcher funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. OG, MG-G, and RG are members of RETICS Program, RD16/0012/0014 (RIER: Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas) via Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. The work of OG and JP (PIE13/00024 and PI14/00016, PI17/00409), and RG (PI16/01870 and CP15/00007) was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER. OG is a beneficiary of a project funded by Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Program (Project No. 734899). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

PurposeThis paper aims to propose future public policy guidelines (FPPG) in sustainable regional development for Guaviare (Colombia) – a territory affected by environmental and social distress – for the year 2035.Design/methodology/approachFollowing collective action theory and sustainable regional development literature, a foresight exercise was conducted using site focus groups and semi-structured interviews with local participants to identify future strategic change drivers and the most relevant social actors for the attainment of economic, social and environmental development in the Guaviare through FPPG.FindingsThe findings suggest that the development of public policies regarding building consensus around Guaviare's economic, environmental and social issues, reducing conflict between the region's cultural and environmental ways, decreasing isolation from the centers of decision-making, increasing the transparency of public institutions and reducing insecurity to attract investments are all crucial to attaining sustainable regional development.Originality/valueInterdisciplinarity is implicit in the local perspectives on the problem that impedes sustainable development in San José del Guaviare. The paper's main contribution is the long-term vision that breaks away from the traditional short-termism in public policy guidelines in a Latin American context. Methodologically, the significant contribution is the convergent alignment of specific foresight methods toward public policy guidelines' analysis and design processes.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular complications, including obesity and visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension, which directly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Patients with arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, have a higher incidence of CVD. Although recent advances in the treatment of arthritic diseases, the incidence of CVD remains elevated, and MetS has been identified as a possible link between CVD and arthritic diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity has been established as a significant contributing factor to the increased prevalence of MetS. Adipokines, which play important physiological roles in metabolic activities contributing to the pathogenesis of MetS, are also involved in the regulation of autoimmune and/or inflammatory processes associated with arthritic diseases. Therefore, MetS and dysregulated secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines have been recognized as a molecular link between CVD and arthritis diseases. In the present paper, we review recent evidence supporting the role played by adipokines, in particular leptin, adiponectin, and lipocalin-2, in the modulation of the immune system, MetS and arthritic diseases. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are discussed, as well as potential new therapeutic strategies. ; Acknowledgments: OG and FL are Staff Personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude, SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS). VF is a "Sara Borrell" Researcher funded by ISCIII and FEDER (CD16/00111). RG is a "Miguel Servet" Researcher funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. CRF is a pre-doctoral research scholar funded by ISCIII and FEDER (Exp.18/00188). OG, MAGG, and RG are members of RETICS Programme, RD16/0012/0014 (RIER: Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas) via Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. FL is a member of CIBERCV (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares). The work of OG and JP (PI17/00409), RG (PI16/01870 and CP15/00007) and FL (PI15/00681 PI18/00821 and CB16/11/00226) were funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER. OG is a beneficiary of a project funded by Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme (Project number 734899). RG is beneficiary of a project funded by Mutua Madrileña 2018. AM wishes to acknowledge financial support from the European Structural and Social Funds through the Research Council of Lithuania (Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba) according to the activity 'Improvement of researchers' qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects' of Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 (grant application code: 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0157, agreement No. DOTSUT-215) and the new funding programme: Attracting Foreign Researchers for Research Implementation (2018–2022). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related biomechanical and low-grade inflammometabolic disease of the joints and one of the costliest and disabling forms of arthritis. Studies on matrix-degrading enzymes such as metalloproteases, which are implicated in the increased catabolism of extracellular matrix, are of paramount relevance. DKK3 is a member of DKK family and is best known for its role in cancer. Although there is some information about the participation of DKK3 in cartilage pathophysiology and on metalloproteases regulation, in particular, little is known about DKK3 signaling mechanisms. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore how DKK3 regulates matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression. Design: Gene, protein expression and protein phosphorylation in primary human chondrocytes and ATDC5 mouse cells were assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Further studies on DKK3 activity were performed by targeting DKK3 gene with a specific siRNA. Results: DKK3 expression was found to be higher in OA human chondrocytes than healthy cells, being its expression decreased in interleukin-1? (IL-1?)-stimulated cells. DKK3 knockdown increased the induction of MMP-13 elicited by IL-1? in human and mouse chondrocytes and after the analysis of different signalling pathways, we observed that NF-?B pathway was involved in the regulation of MMP-13 expression by DKK3. Conclusions: Herein we have demonstrated, for the first time, that DKK3 gene silencing exacerbated NF-?B activation, resulting in an increased IL-1?-driven induction of MMP-13. Our results further confirm that DKK3 may play a protective role in OA by attenuating NF-?B activation and the subsequent production of metalloproteases. ; Funding: OG and FL are Staff Personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude, SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS). JC is "Miguel Servet" Researcher "CP19/00172 (ISCIII/FEDER), MS and VF are currently "Sara Borrell" Researchers funded by ISCIII and FEDER (CD16/00111). RG is a "Miguel Servet" Researcher funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. CR is a predoctoral research scholar funded by ISCIII and FEDER (Exp. 18/00188). OG, RG, and MAGG are members of RETICS Programme, RD16/0012/0014 (RIER: Red de Investigación en Inflamación y Enfermedades Reumáticas) via Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and FEDER. FL is a member of CIBERCV (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares). The work of OG and JP (PI17/00409), RG (PI16/01870 and CP15/00007) and FL (PI15/00681 PI18/00821 and CB16/11/00226) was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FEDER. OG is a beneficiary of a project funded by Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme (Project number 734899). OG is beneficiary of a project funded by Xunta de Galicia, Consellería de emprego e industria (GAIN) (IN607B2019/10). RG is beneficiary of a project funded by Mutua Madrileña 2018. AM wishes to acknowledge financial support from the European Structural and Social Funds through the Research Council of Lithuania (Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba) according to the activity 'Improvement of researchers' qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects' of Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 (grant application code: 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0157, agreement No. DOTSUT-215) and the new funding programme: Attracting Foreign Researchers for Research Implementation (2018–2022).

IntroductionNucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and proinflammatory effects. Maraviroc (MVC) is an antagonist of CCR5 receptor. CCR5 is the receptor of RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted), a mediator of chronic inflammation and endothelial function. Our aim was to evaluate the maintenance of viral suppression and improvement of endothelial function in virologically suppressed HIV‐infected patients switched to an NRTI‐sparing combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with MVC.Materials and MethodsThis observational, non‐interventional, multicenter study was performed at the Infectious Diseases Service of Santa Lucia, Morales Meseguer, Virgen de la Arrixaca and Reina Sofía University Hospital (Murcia, Spain). The selection criteria were to be asymptomatic on a regimen with undetectable viral load (<50 HIV‐RNA copies/mL) for at least six months, no previous treatment with R5 antagonists, no evidence of previous protease inhibitor (PI) failure and available R5 tropism test. Twenty‐one HIV‐infected patients were selected after the treatment regimen was changed to Maraviroc 150 mg/once daily plus ritonavir‐boosted PI therapy. Endothelial function was prospectively evaluated through flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery at baseline and at weeks 24.ResultsWe included 21 patients on treatment with PI in combination with 2 NRTI. The mean cART exposition was 133±68.9 months. Fourteen (66.6%) were males, aged 49±9 years, 15 (71.4%) smokers, 4 (19.04%) family history of coronary heart disease, 1 (5.76%) type 2 diabetes and 3 (14.28%) hypertensive, mean total cholesterol was 185.5±35 mg/dL, c‐LDL 100.2±37 mg/dL, tryglicerides 170.42±92.03 mg/dL, cHDL 52.6±15.5 mg/dL, CD4 779,5±383.28 cells/mL, nadir CD4 187,96±96 cells/mL. After 24 weeks of follow‐up of a switch to an NRTI‐sparing regimen, 95.2% of HIV‐patients on viral suppressive cART maintained viral suppression and CD4+ T cell count. This cART switch improve endothelial function in patients with lower baseline FMD levels after 24 weeks (baseline FMD −1.19±4.84 % to 24 weeks FMD 11.32±7.27%; p=0.002).ConclusionsThe results of our study show that a switch to an NRTI‐sparing bi‐therapy with MVC improves endothelial function and maintained the immune‐virologic efficacy. This regimen emphasizes the needs for further clinical studies to associate these achievements with the incidence of non‐AIDS‐defining illnesses.

[Background] Reducing the burden of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires large-scale deployment of intervention programmes, which can be informed by the dynamic pattern of HCV spread. In Spain, ongoing transmission of HCV is mostly fuelled by people who inject drugs (PWID) infected with subtype 1a (HCV1a). ; [Aim] Our aim was to map how infections spread within and between populations, which could help formulate more effective intervention programmes to halt the HCV1a epidemic in Spain. ; [Methods] Epidemiological links between HCV1a viruses from a convenience sample of 283 patients in Spain, mostly PWID, collected between 2014 and 2016, and 1,317, 1,291 and 1,009 samples collected abroad between 1989 and 2016 were reconstructed using sequences covering the NS3, NS5A and NS5B genes. To efficiently do so, fast maximum likelihood-based tree estimation was coupled to a flexible Bayesian discrete phylogeographic inference method. ; [Results] The transmission network structure of the Spanish HCV1a epidemic was shaped by continuous seeding of HCV1a into Spain, almost exclusively from North America and European countries. The latter became increasingly relevant and have dominated in recent times. Export from Spain to other countries in Europe was also strongly supported, although Spain was a net sink for European HCV1a lineages. Spatial reconstructions showed that the epidemic in Spain is diffuse, without large, dominant within-country networks. ; [Conclusion] To boost the effectiveness of local intervention efforts, concerted supra-national strategies to control HCV1a transmission are needed, with a strong focus on the most important drivers of ongoing transmission, i.e. PWID and other high-risk populations. ; Bram Vrancken is a postdoctoral research fellow funded by the Research Foundation Flanders - Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen (FWO, Flanders, Belgium). Part of this research was sponsored by FWO grants G.0E84.16N, G.0B23.17N, G.0662.15N, G.0D51.17N and G.0B93.17N. Funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 725422-ReservoirDOCS) has been used for this study. A part of the computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the Hercules Foundation and the Flemish Government - department EWI-FWO Krediet aan Navorsers (Theys, KAN2012 1.2.249.12). This work was supported in part by grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (www.isciii.es) (PI15/00713), Plan Nacional de I+D+I and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER (www.red.es/redes/inicio) (RD16/0025/0040), Fundación Progreso y salud, Junta de Andalucía (www.fps2.junta-andalucia.es/fundacionprogresoysalud/es/home) (PI-0411-2014), and GEHEP-SEIMC (GEHEP-004 and GEHEP-005).