Sigma-1 Receptor Signaling: In Search of New Therapeutic Alternatives for Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases.

Cardiovascular and renal diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide, and regardless of current efforts, there is a demanding need for therapeutic alternatives to reduce their progression to advanced stages. The stress caused by diseases leads to the activation of protective mechanisms in the cell, including chaperone proteins. The Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) is a ligand-operated chaperone protein that modulates signal transduction during cellular stress processes. Sig-1R interacts with various ligands and proteins to elicit distinct cellular responses, thus, making it a potential target for pharmacological modulation. Furthermore, Sig-1R ligands activate signaling pathways that promote cardioprotection, ameliorate ischemic injury, and drive myofibroblast activation and fibrosis. The role of Sig-1R in diseases has also made it a point of interest in developing clinical trials for pain, neurodegeneration, ischemic stroke, depression in patients with heart failure, and COVID-19. Sig-1R ligands in preclinical models have significantly beneficial effects associated with improved cardiac function, ventricular remodeling, hypertrophy reduction, and, in the kidney, reduced ischemic damage. These basic discoveries could inform clinical trials for heart failure (HF), myocardial hypertrophy, acute kidney injury (AKI), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we review Sig-1R signaling pathways and the evidence of Sig-1R modulation in preclinical cardiac and renal injury models to support the potential therapeutic use of Sig-1R agonists and antagonists in these diseases.

Use of Virtual Tools in Teaching-Learning Processes: Advancements and Future Direction

Teaching-learning processes have been affected by the changes that the introduction of information and communication technologies are making to the current global dynamics. This study examines the trends and evolution of the application of virtual tools in teaching-learning processes. Using a bibliometric analysis, 104 articles retrieved using a search equation defined under the PRISMA methodology were analysed. The results allowed the identification of the most influential contributions, authors, and journals, as well as the trends of research carried out in the field, identifying the authors García-Peñalvo, Sénchez-Prieto and Olmos-Migueléñez as the main references in terms of productivity and impact, as well as the journal Computers in Human Behaviour as the most important in academic impact;additionally, it is identified that COVID-19 and online education are among the main emerging concepts, and higher education and the TAM are among the most solid in the research field. Similarly, the research carried out can be classified into four categories based on their main topic: the acceptance of technology;the design of instruments;the design of platforms;and relevant content. Among the main conclusions, it is mentioned that these tools provide aspects of flexibility, coverage and accessibility at all educational levels.

ECOFEMINIST AND COMMUNITARIAN KEYS IN FRONT OF SCHOOL CLOSURE DUE TO COVID-19 IN MEXICO, 2020-2021: AN EMBODIED EXPERIENCE

The COVID-19 pandemic and particularly, mitigation measures taken by government institutions in Mexico, such as the closure of all schools at all levels of education, have brought strong regressive consequences in terms of both education and gender equality. In this paper, we start from a theoretical framework of gender and family to analyze, along with the negative repercussions of this measure (especially for women and children), an embodied experience of upbringing and community education in Mexico. This experience seeks to preserve educational and labor rights violated by school closures such as sociability, guardianship and custody of minors, the right to a life free of violence, work-life balance, among others. Our aim is to suggest some keys for an ecofeminist and community solution to the education crisis in this country. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating Differences in Mathematical Competencies in Middle School Students during Pandemic Conditions through Preparatec Platform

This research proposes to evaluate the difference in essential mathematical competencies of middle school students transitioning to high school level under pandemic conditions (COVID-19) using the PreparaTec platform and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) released items as an evaluation instrument. The study was conducted with 84 students from first semester high school at Prepa Tec (Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Cuernavaca) aged 14 and 15. The students were divided into three experimental groups and a control group. Three levels of mathematical competencies: reproduction, definitions, and calculations (level 1), connections and integration to solve problems (level 2), and reflection (level 3) were evaluated. We applied a pre-test at the beginning of the semester and a post-test at the end after using the PreparaTec platform. Both tests were written and applied in a face-to-face format. The study presents the findings regarding the impact of using the PreparaTec platform during the first semester in the three levels of mathematical competencies mentioned. The results obtained are presented in two analyses. The first analysis involves the results obtained per experimental group and according to the number of correct answers per group. The second analysis represents a comparison between the percentage of correct answers and the level of difficulty per question per student regarding the percentage, determined by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Spain in the format presented by PISA. The pre-test and post-test consisted of 23 questions from items released from PISA, which contemplated measuring the three levels of mathematical competence. The results showed an improvement of 57% in level 1 proficiency questions, 63.6% in level 2 proficiency, and 100% in level 3 proficiency. The findings indicate that new teaching strategies based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and more meaningful assessment forms further develop students' mathematical competencies.

Severe COVID-19 correlates with lower mitochondrial cristae density in PBMCs and greater sitting time in humans.

An interaction between mitochondrial dynamics, physical activity levels, and COVID-19 severity has been previously hypothesized. However, this has not been tested. We aimed to compare mitochondrial morphology and cristae density of PBMCs between subjects with non-severe COVID-19, subjects with severe COVID-19, and healthy controls. Additionally, we compared the level of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sitting time between groups. Blood samples were taken to obtain PBMCs. Mitochondrial dynamics were assessed by electron microscopy images and western blot of protein that regulate mitochondrial dynamics. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; short version) was used to estimate the level of MVPA and the sitting time The patients who develop severe COVID-19 (COVID-19++) not present alterations of mitochondrial size neither mitochondrial density in comparison to non-severe patients COVID-19 (COVID-19) and control subjects (CTRL). However, compared to CTRL, COVID-19 and COVID-19++ groups have lower mitochondrial cristae length, a higher proportion of abnormal mitochondrial cristae. The COVID-19++ group has lower number (trend) and length of mitochondrial cristae in comparison to COVID-19 group. COVID-19, but not COVID-19++ group had lower Opa 1, Mfn 2 and SDHB (Complex II) proteins than CTRL group. Besides, COVID-19++ group has a higher time sitting. Our results show that low mitochondrial cristae density, potentially due to physical inactivity, is associated with COVID-19 severity.