Nursing Students' Perceptions of Flipped Classroom and Continuous Assessment in the Nursing-Management Classroom

Abstract: Introduction: Although the training of nurses in administration and leadership has an important repercussion on the present and the future of the profession, teaching methods are still traditional in many cases. Flipped classroom is a widely used method in nursing education but studies about its application to Nursing Administration and Management are limited. Method: Qualitative study by means of anonymous survey (dichotomous and open questions). Results: 92 % of students were shown to be satisfied with the teaching methodology and 92.9 % with the assessment. Only 31.5 % had used it previously but 83 % would like to use it in more subjects. The students showed that the methodology used had improved their opinion about the content and had increased their perception its usefulness. Conclusion: The participating students have been shown to be satisfied with flipped method and continuous assessment. These teaching strategies can help motivate nursing students towards the subject of Nursing Administration and Management, which can encourage them to pursue postgraduate training and professional practice in this area

Resumen: Introducción: Si bien la formación de enfermeros en Administración y Gestión tiene una importante repercusión en el presente y el futuro de la profesión, los métodos de enseñanza siguen siendo tradicionales en muchos casos. El aula invertida es un método ampliamente utilizado en la educación de enfermería, pero los estudios sobre su aplicación a la administración y gestión de enfermería son limitados. Método: Estudio cualitativo mediante cuestionario anónimo (preguntas dicotómicas y abiertas). Resultados: El 92 % de los estudiantes se mostró satisfecho con la metodología de enseñanza y el 92,9 % con la evaluación. Solo el 31,5 % lo había usado anteriormente, pero al 83 % le gustaría usarlo en más sujetos. Los estudiantes demostraron que la metodología utilizada había mejorado su opinión sobre el contenido y había aumentado su percepción útil del mismo. Conclusión: Los estudiantes participantes han demostrado estar satisfechos con el método de aula invertida. Estas estrategias de enseñanza pueden ayudar a motivar a los estudiantes de enfermería hacia la asignatura de Administración y Gestión de los Servicios de Enfermería, lo que puede animarlos a realizar una formación de posgrado y una práctica profesional en esta área.

Resumo: Introdução: Embora a educação de Enfermagem em Administração e Gestão tenha um grande impacto no presente e futuro da profissão, os métodos de ensino continuam a ser tradicionais em muitos casos. A sala de aula invertida é um método amplamente utilizado na educação em Enfermagem, mas os estudos sobre a sua aplicação à Administração e Gestão de Enfermagem são limitados. Método: Estudo qualitativo utilizando um questionário anônimo (perguntas dicotômicas e abertas). Resultados: 92% dos estudantes ficaram satisfeitos com a metodologia de ensino e 92,9% com a avaliação. Apenas 31,5% já o tinha utilizado antes, mas 83% gostariam de utilizá-lo em mais assuntos. Os estudantes mostraram que a metodologia utilizada havia melhorado a sua opinião sobre o conteúdo e aumentado a sua percepção útil do conteúdo. Conclusão: Os estudantes participantes mostraram-se satisfeitos com o método invertido e com a avaliação contínua. Estas estratégias de ensino podem ajudar a motivar os estudantes de Enfermagem para a disciplina de Administração e Gestão de Enfermagem, o que pode encorajá-los a empreender uma educação de pós-graduação e prática profissional nesta área.

Novel nonylphenol-degrading bacterial strains isolated from sewage sludge: Application in bioremediation of sludge.

Nonylphenol (NP) is an anthropogenic pollutant frequently found in sewage sludge due to the insufficient degrading effectiveness of conventional WWTPs and has attracted attention as an endocrine disruptor. The aim of this study was to isolate specific NP-degrading bacteria from sewage sludge to be used in the degradation of this contaminant through bioaugmentation processes in aqueous solution and sewage sludge. Up to eight different bacterial strains were isolated, six of them not previously described as NP degraders. Bacillus safensis CN12 presented the best NP degradation in solution, and glucose used as an external carbon source increased its effect, reaching DT50 degradation values (time to decline to half the initial concentration of the pollutant) of only 0.9 days and a complete degradation in <7 days. Four NP metabolites were identified throughout the biodegradation process, showing higher toxicity than the parent contaminant. In sewage sludge suspensions, the endogenous microbiota was capable of partially degrading NP, but a part remained adsorbed as bound residue. Bioaugmentation was used for the first time to remove NP from sewage sludge to obtain more environmentally friendly biosolids. However, B. safensis CN12 was not able to degrade NP due to its high adsorption on sludge, but the use of a cyclodextrin (HPBCD) as availability enhancer allowed us to extract NP and degrade it in solution. The addition of glucose as an external carbon source gave the best results since the metabolism of the sludge microbiota was activated, and HPBCD was able to remove NP from sewage sludge to the solution to be degraded by B. safensis CN12. These results indicate that B. safensis CN12 can be used to degrade NP in water and sewage sludge, but the method must be improved using consortia of B. safensis CN12 with other bacterial strains able to degrade the toxic metabolites produced.

Dissipation of a mix of priority PAHs in soils by using availability enhancers. Effect of aging and pollutant interactions.

A remediation strategy using three non-toxic availability enhancers (two cyclodextrins and a rhamnolipid biosurfactant) was applied to various soils artificially contaminated with a mix of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) considered priority pollutants at two levels of contamination: only with 7 low molecular weight PAHs (LMW PAHs, 5 with 3-ring and 2 with 4-ring - fluoranthene and pyrene) or with 14 PAHs (from 3 to 6 rings). Natural attenuation of PAHs in all soils showed degradation capacity for the LMW PAHs, with a final content of LMW PAHs <5% of their initial concentration. Conversely, the rest of PAHs (high molecular weight PAHs, HMW) remained in the soils (61% - 83.5%), indicating abiotic dissipation of HMW PAHs due to formation of non-extractable residues in soils. The influence of the presence of HMW PAHs on the degradation of the 7 LMW PAHs was also tested, showing a general decrease in the time to obtain 50% dissipation (DT50), statistically significant for acenaphthene, acenaphthylene and fluorene. Availability enhancers showed different effects on PAHs dissipation. 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP) decreased DT50 of some of the lighter PAHs, whereas the rhamnolipid (RL) caused a slight DT50 increase due to its initial toxicity on native soil microorganisms, but showing later high degradation rate for LMW PAHs. On the contrary, randomly methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) slowed down PAHs degradation due to its high adsorption onto soil surface, blocking the desorption of PAHs from the soils. The high number of experimental factors not studied simultaneously before (soil type, co-contamination, availability enhancers and incubation time) allowed to conduct a statistical analysis which supported the conclusions reached. Principal Component Analysis separated the studied PAHs in 3 groups, in relation with their molecular weight and Kow. The first principal component was related with LMW PAHs, and separate the inefficient RAMEB from the other availability enhancers.

Extraction of nonylphenol, pyrene and phenanthrene from sewage sludge and composted biosolids by cyclodextrins and rhamnolipids.

Sewage sludge generated by Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are frequently used as organic amendments in agriculture, but they contain pollutants such as Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) and organic contaminants which contaminate the agricultural soils. The study presented here is part of a larger study based on the application of environmentally friendly chemical and biological techniques to decrease the content of organic pollutants in sewage sludge before agricultural application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of biodegradable extractants, such as some cyclodextrins (CDs), ß-cyclodextrin (BCD), hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) and randomly methylated-ß-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), and a biosurfactant (rhamnolipid, RL) on the removal and availability of pyrene (PYR), phenanthrene (PHE) and nonylphenol (NP) from several biosolids samples in order to improve their subsequent biodegradation. The influence of pollutants retention time on biosolids was studied, as well as the effect of each extractant on PTEs solubilization. Results obtained were pollutant and extractant-dependent. BCD extracted similar amounts of pollutants compared to water, whereas HPBCD and RAMEB actually increased the availability of the three pollutants in most of the samples and aging times. RL seems to be the best election for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) extraction from biosolids, with percentages of extraction multiplied by more than 80 and 40 times for PHE and PYR, respectively, relative to water extraction. The extraction enhancement was the highest for NP, the most hydrophobic pollutant, reaching more than 500-fold higher with HPBCD and RAMEB. PTEs extractability was not affected by the different CDs used, but RL caused an increment in their soluble content what could endanger a subsequent biodegradation of the organic pollutants.

La construcción del Empoderamiento Femenino: visibilizando la violencia obstétrica / The construction of Female Empowerment: making obstetric violence visible

OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL: Analizar y describir la relación entre los textos que componen Feminismos y el papel de la enfermería en el empoderamiento en la salud perinatal de la mujer. METODOLOGÍA: Análisis crítico y reflexivo. RESULTADOS PRINCIPALES: Las mujeres poseen conocimientos deficientes sobre la violencia obstétrica, lo que nos demuestra que es un tema tabú en el ámbito perinatal. Para garantizar el empoderamiento femenino, la violencia obstétrica y su visibilización es un tema imprescindible, siendo esencial trabajar desde etapas tempranas de la formación de las enfermeras y matronas, así como la inclusión de políticas que centren y humanicen el cuidado a la mujer. CONCLUSIÓN PRINCIPAL: El empoderamiento femenino en el ámbito perinatal actúa como factor positivo en la visibilización de las violencias, aportando a las mujeres herramientas y conocimientos sobre su autonomía y derechos

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and to describe the relationship between the texts that make up Feminisms and the role of nursing in empowering women in perinatal health. METHODS: Critical and reflective analysis. RESULTS: Women have poor knowledges about obstetric violence, which shows us that it is a taboo subject in the perinatal setting. To guarantee female empowerment, obstetric violence and its visibility is a principal issue, and it is essential to work from early stages of nurses and midwives' training, as well as the inclusion of policies that focus and humanize care for women. CONCLUSIONS: Female empowerment in the perinatal sphere acts as a positive factor in making violence visible, providing women with tools and knowledge about their autonomy and rights

Natural and assisted dissipation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a long-term co-contaminated soil with creosote and potentially toxic elements.

An enhanced bioremediation strategy was applied to an industrial soil co-contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). Hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) and a natural mixture of two rhamnolipids (RL) were added to increase PAHs bioavailability, and combined with a microbial consortium (MC) to biodegrade soil PAHs. Bioavailability of only six PAHs (3-, 4-ring PAHs) increased when using HPBCD, with a maximum increase about 2.8-fold higher. The highest dose of HPBCD (5%) enhanced PAH degradation, with the best results for 4-ring PAHs with treatments of HPBCD + MC (up to 48% degradation for pyrene and 43% for fluoranthene), whereas dissipation for 5-ring PAHs was very low and for 6-ring was negligible. The use of RL increased the bioavailability of 13 of the 16 PAHs studied, reaching up to 60-fold higher values for phenanthrene or 18-fold higher for acenaphtene. RL addition did not show degradation improvement in any situation, and even inhibited the scarce degradation observed in the control treatment. The high increase in availability of both PAHs and mainly PTEs when using RL as amendment could make them toxic for microorganisms. In fact, Microtox Acute Toxicity test using Aliivibrio fischeri and the absence of colony forming units (CFUs) of indigenous bacteria demonstrated the extremely high levels of toxicity in RL treated soil.

VCE-004.8, A Multitarget Cannabinoquinone, Attenuates Adipogenesis and Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity.

Over the past few years, the endocannabinoid system (ECs) has emerged as a crucial player for the regulation of food intake and energy metabolism, and its pharmacological manipulation represents a novel strategy for the management of metabolic diseases. The discovery that VCE-004.8, a dual PPARγ and CB2 receptor agonist, also inhibits prolyl-hydroxylases (PHDs) and activates the HIF pathway provided a rationale to investigate its effect in in vitro models of adipogenesis and in a murine model of metabolic syndrome, all processes critically regulated by these targets of VCE-004.8. In accordance with its different binding mode to PPARγ compared to rosiglitazone (RGZ), VCE-004.8 neither induced adipogenic differentiation, nor affected osteoblastogenesis. Daily administration of VCE-004.8 (20 mg/kg) to HFD mice for 3-wks induced a significant reduction in body weight gain, total fat mass, adipocyte volume and plasma triglycerides levels. VCE-004.8 could also significantly ameliorate glucose tolerance, reduce leptin levels (a marker of adiposity) and increase adiponectin and incretins (GLP-1 and GIP) levels. Remarkably, VCE-004.8 increased the FGF21 mRNA expression in white and brown adipose, as well as in a BAT cell line, qualifying cannabinoaminoquinones as a class of novel therapeutic candidates for the management of obesity and its common metabolic co-morbidities.

Triterpenoid Hydroxamates as HIF Prolyl Hydrolase Inhibitors.

Pentacyclic triterpenoid acids (PCTTAs) are pleiotropic agents that target many macromolecular end-points with low to moderate affinity. To explore the biological space associated with PCTTAs, we have investigated the carboxylate-to-hydroxamate transformation, discovering that it de-emphasizes affinity for the transcription factors targeted by the natural compounds (NF-κB, STAT3, Nrf2, TGR5) and selectively induces inhibitory activity on HIF prolyl hydrolases (PHDs). Activity was reversible, isoform-selective, dependent on the hydroxamate location, and negligible when this group was replaced by other chelating elements or O-alkylated. The hydroxamate of betulinic acid (5b) was selected for further studies, and evaluation of its effect on HIF-1α expression under normal and hypoxic conditions qualified it as a promising lead structure for the discovery of new candidates in the realm of neuroprotection.

Benefits of VCE-003.2, a cannabigerol quinone derivative, against inflammation-driven neuronal deterioration in experimental Parkinson's disease: possible involvement of different binding sites at the PPARγ receptor.

BACKGROUND: Neuroprotection with cannabinoids in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been afforded predominantly with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory cannabinoids. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of VCE-003.2, a quinone derivative of the non-psychotrophic phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG), which may derive its activity at the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). The compound is also an antioxidant. METHODS: We evaluated VCE-003.2 in an in vivo [mice subjected to unilateral intrastriatal injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] model of PD, as well as in in vitro (LPS-exposed BV2 cells and M-213 cells treated with conditioned media generated from LPS-exposed BV2 cells) cellular models. The type of interaction of VCE-003.2 at the PPARγ receptor was furtherly investigated in bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and sustained with transcriptional assays and in silico docking studies. RESULTS: VCE-003.2 has no activity at the cannabinoid receptors, a fact that we confirmed in this study using competition studies. The administration of VCE-003.2 to LPS-lesioned mice attenuated the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-containing nigrostriatal neurons and, in particular, the intense microgliosis provoked by LPS in the substantia nigra, measured by Iba-1/Cd68 immunostaining. The analysis by qPCR of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the striatum showed they were markedly elevated by the LPS lesion and strongly reduced by the treatment with VCE-003.2. The effects of VCE-003.2 in LPS-lesioned mice implied the activation of PPARγ receptors, as they were attenuated when VCE-003.2 was co-administered with the PPARγ inhibitor T0070907. We then moved to some in vitro approaches, first to confirm the anti-inflammatory profile of VCE-003.2 in cultured BV2 cells exposed to LPS. VCE-003.2 was able to attenuate the synthesis and release of TNF-α and IL-1ß, as well as the induction of iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) elicited by LPS in these cells. However, we found such effects were not reversed by GW9662, another classic PPARγ antagonist. Next, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of VCE-003.2 in cultured M-213 neuronal cells exposed to conditioned media generated from LPS-exposed cultured BV2 cells. VCE-003.2 reduced M-213 cell death, but again, such effects were not reversed by T0070907. Using docking analysis, we detected that VCE-003.2 binds both the canonical and the alternative binding sites in the PPARγ ligand-binding pocket (LBP). Functional assays further showed that T0070907 almost abolished PPARγ transcriptional activity induced by rosiglitazone (RGZ), but it did not affect the activity of VCE-003.2 in a Gal4-Luc system. However, T0070907 inhibited the effects of RGZ and VCE-003.2 on the expression of PPARγ-dependent genes upregulated in MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that VCE-003.2 is neuroprotective against inflammation-driven neuronal damage in an in vivo model of PD and in in vitro cellular models of neuroinflammation. Such effects might involve PPARγ receptors, although in silico and in vitro experiments strongly suggest that VCE-003.2 targets PPARγ by acting through two binding sites at the LBP, one that is sensitive to T0070907 (canonical binding site) and other that is not affected by this PPARγ antagonist (alternative binding site).

Combined use of microbial consortia isolated from different agricultural soils and cyclodextrin as a bioremediation technique for herbicide contaminated soils.

The phenylurea herbicide diuron is persistent in soil, water and groundwater and is considered to be a highly toxic molecule. The principal product of its biodegradation, 3,4-dichloroaniline, exhibits greater toxicity than diuron and is persistent in the environment. Five diuron degrading microbial consortia (C1C5), isolated from different agricultural soils, were investigated for diuron mineralization activity. The C2 consortium was able to mineralize 81.6% of the diuron in solution, while consortium C3 was only able to mineralize 22.9%. Isolated consortia were also tested in soil slurries and in all cases, except consortium C4, DT50 (the time required for the diuron concentration to decline to half of its initial value) was drastically reduced, from 700 days (non-inoculated control) to 546, 351, and 171 days for the consortia C5, C2, and C1, respectively. In order to test the effectiveness of the isolated consortium C1 in a more realistic scenario, soil diuron mineralization assays were performed under static conditions (40% of the soil water-holding capacity). A significant enhancement of diuron mineralization was observed after C1 inoculation, with 23.2% of the herbicide being mineralized in comparison to 13.1% for the control experiment. Hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin, a biodegradable organic enhancer of pollutant bioavailability, used in combination with C1 bioaugmentation in static conditions, resulted in a significant decrease in the DT50 (214 days; 881 days, control experiment). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of soil-isolated microbial consortia in combination with cyclodextrins proposed as a bioremediation technique for pesticide contaminated soils.

Bioremediation of diuron contaminated soils by a novel degrading microbial consortium.

Diuron is a biologically active pollutant present in soil, water and sediments. It is persistent in soil, water and groundwater and slightly toxic to mammals and birds as well as moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Its principal product of biodegradation, 3,4-dichloroaniline, exhibits a higher toxicity than diuron and is also persistent in the environment. On this basis, the objective of the study was to determine the potential capacity of a proposed novel diuron-degrading microbial consortium (DMC) for achieving not only diuron degradation, but its mineralisation both in solution as well as in soils with different properties. The consortium was tested in a soil solution where diuron was the only carbon source, and more than 98.8% of the diuron initially added was mineralised after only a few days. The consortium was composed of three diuron-degrading strains, Arthrobacter sulfonivorans, Variovorax soli and Advenella sp. JRO, the latter had been isolated in our laboratory from a highly contaminated industrial site. This work shows for the first time the potential capacity of a member of the genus Advenella to remediate pesticide-contaminated soils. However, neither of the three strains separately achieved mineralisation (ring-14C) of diuron in a mineral medium (MSM) with a trace nutrient solution (NS); combined in pairs, they mineralised 40% of diuron in solution, but the most relevant result was obtained in the presence of the three-member consortium, where complete diuron mineralisation was achieved after only a few days. In the presence of the investigated soils in suspension, the capacity of the consortium to mineralise diuron was evaluated, achieving mineralisation of a wide range of herbicides from 22.9 to 69.0%.

Data on the application of Functional Data Analysis in food fermentations.

This article refers to the paper "Assessment of table olive fermentation by functional data analysis" (Ruiz-Bellido et al., 2016) [1]. The dataset include pH, titratable acidity, yeast count and area values obtained during fermentation process (380 days) of Aloreña de Málaga olives subjected to five different fermentation systems: i) control of acidified cured olives, ii) highly acidified cured olives, iii) intermediate acidified cured olives, iv) control of traditional cracked olives, and v) traditional olives cracked after 72 h of exposure to air. Many of the Tables and Figures shown in this paper were deduced after application of Functional Data Analysis to raw data using a routine executed under R software for comparison among treatments by the transformation of raw data into smooth curves and the application of a new battery of statistical tools (functional pointwise estimation of the averages and standard deviations, maximum, minimum, first and second derivatives, functional regression, and functional F and t-tests).

Assessment of table olive fermentation by functional data analysis.

For the first time, functional data analysis (FDA) was used to assess the effects of different treatments on Protection Denomination of Origin Aloreña de Málaga table olive fermentations, focusing on the evolution of yeast population. The analysis of fermentation by a conventional approach led to scarce information. However, the transformation of microbial (and also physicochemical) data into smooth curves allowed the application of a new battery of statistical tools for the analysis of fermentations (functional pointwise estimation of the averages and standard deviations, maximum, minimum, first and second derivatives, functional regression, and functional F and t-tests). FDA showed that all the treatments assayed led to similar trends in yeast population while changes in pH and titratable acidity profiles led to several significant differences. Therefore, FDA represents a promising and valuable tool for studying table olive fermentations and for food microbiology in general.

Assessment of the bacterial community in directly brined Aloreña de Málaga table olive fermentations by metagenetic analysis.

This study uses an "omics" approach to evaluate the bacterial biodiversity changes during fermentation process of natural green cracked Aloreña de Málaga table olives, from raw material to fermented fruit. For this purpose, two industries separated by almost 20km in Guadalhorce Valley (Málaga, Spain) were analysed for obtaining both brines and fruit samples at different moments of fermentation (0, 7, 30 and 120days). Physicochemical and microbial counts during fermentation showed the typical evolution of this type of processes, apparently dominated by yeasts. However, high-throughput barcoded pyrosequencing analysis of V2-V3 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene showed at 97% identity the presence of 131 bacterial genera included in 357 operational taxonomic units, not detected by the conventional approach. The bacterial biodiversity was clearly higher in the olives at the moment of reception in the industry and during the first days of fermentation, while decreased considerably as elapse the fermentation process. The presence of Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae species was scarce during the four months of study. On the contrary, the most important genus at the end of fermentation was Celerinatantimonas in both brine (95.3% of frequency) and fruit (89.4%) samples, while the presence of well-known spoilage microorganisms (Pseudomonas and Propionibacterium) and halophilic bacteria (Modestobacter, Rhodovibrio, Salinibacter) was also common during the course of fermentation. Among the most important bacterial pathogens related to food, only Staphylococcus genus was found at low frequencies (<0.02% of total sequences). Results show the need of this type of studies to enhance our knowledge of the microbiology of table olive fermentations. It is also necessary to determine the role played by these species not previously detected in table olives on the quality and safety of this fermented vegetable.

Natural attenuation of fluorene and pyrene in contaminated soils and assisted with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin. Effect of co-contamination.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the mutual effect of the PAHs fluorene and pyrene on their respective biodegradation and dissipation processes in an agricultural soil, and to determine the effect of hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPBCD), used to increase the bioavailability of PAHs, on such processes. Fluorene dissipation was primarily due to abiotic processes, although a small contribution from biodegradation was also observed. Therefore, fluorene dissipation did not increase with HPBCD and its presence did not significantly alter the dehydrogenase activity. In contrast to fluorene, pyrene dissipation depended primarily on biotic factors, with endogenous soil microorganisms capable of degrading pyrene, with large increases in dehydrogenase activity. HPBCD increased biodegradation rate of pyrene. The co-contamination of soil with both PAHs did not affect fluorene evolution, but significantly inhibited pyrene biodegradation. The different abilities of soil bacterial consortia to catabolize these PAHs are discussed. Additionally, the possibility that the abiotic loss of fluorene through volatilization had a significant effect on the microbial community biodegradation of both fluorene and pyrene is examined.

The cannabinoid quinol VCE-004.8 alleviates bleomycin-induced scleroderma and exerts potent antifibrotic effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and CB2 pathways.

Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases associated with early and transient inflammation and vascular injury, followed by fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs. Fibroblast activation is the hallmark of scleroderma, and disrupting the intracellular TGFß signaling may provide a novel approach to controlling fibrosis. Because of its potential role in modulating inflammatory and fibrotic responses, both PPARγ and CB2 receptors represent attractive targets for the development of cannabinoid-based therapies. We have developed a non-thiophilic and chemically stable derivative of the CBD quinol (VCE-004.8) that behaves as a dual agonist of PPARγ and CB2 receptors, VCE-004.8 inhibited TGFß-induced Col1A2 gene transcription and collagen synthesis. Moreover, VCE-004.8 inhibited TGFß-mediated myofibroblast differentiation and impaired wound-healing activity. The anti-fibrotic efficacy in vivo was investigated in a murine model of dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin. VCE-004.8 reduced dermal thickness, blood vessels collagen accumulation and prevented mast cell degranulation and macrophage infiltration in the skin. These effects were impaired by the PPARγ antagonist T0070907 and the CB2 antagonist AM630. In addition, VCE-004.8 downregulated the expression of several key genes associated with fibrosis, qualifying this semi-synthetic cannabinoid as a novel compound for the management of scleroderma and, potentially, other fibrotic diseases.

Effect of audiovisual distraction on children's behaviour, anxiety and pain in the dental setting.

AIM: To evaluate whether the parental perception of the patient's anxiety, children's anxiety, pain, behaviour and heart rate of paediatric patients improves when an audiovisual technique is used as a distraction method during dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This non-randomised crossover trial was performed with 34 patients aged 6-8 years, who required a minimum of two treatment visits for restorative therapy. During the last visit, the patient was shown a cartoon film. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the global behaviour when children were shown a cartoon film (P < 0.001). A significant increase in heart rate was recorded in both visits (P = 0.0001) when the anaesthetic was injected. A 97% of the sample would like to continue seeing their chosen film during subsequent visits. No statistically significant differences were found (P > 0.05) between the visits in terms of parental perception of the patient's anxiety, or the patient's self-reported anxiety, pain and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the audiovisual material used as a method of distraction produces a global improvement in patient behaviour, but not in parental perception of the patient's anxiety, self-reported anxiety, pain or heart rate according to the measurement scales used. This material is also highly accepted by paediatric patients.

Ganancia de peso para un parto sin complicaciones: límite de aumento ponderal según el índice de masa corporal previo / Weight gain for an uncomplicated birth: limit weight gain by body mass index prior

Objetivo: Establecer los límites de aumento de peso en el embarazo según el índice de masa corporal (IMC) antes de la semana 12 para evitar un parto complicado. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional y prospectivo sobre gestantes caucásicas primíparas, sin enfermedades, con una gestación única a término con presentación cefálica y peso del neonato de 2.500-4.000 g, atendida sen el Paritorio del Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Tenerife, desde julio de 2009 hasta febrero de 2010. Se considera parto complicado el instrumentado o por cesárea, cuya causa es el aumento de peso durante el embarazo y teniendo en cuenta los posibles factores de confusión: edad, tabaquismo, educación maternal y administración de epidural. Los datos se resumen con estadígrafos apropiados al caso, y se comparan según sus características. Estratificando a las pacientes por categorías de IMC, se hallan los puntos de corte sensible-específicos de un aumento de peso seguro mediante análisis COR tipo II, y ajustándolos riesgos por factores de confusión mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 473 gestantes de 16-46 años de edad, un 12,7% con bajo peso, un 53,7% con normopeso, un23,3% con sobrepeso y un 10,4% obesas, con un aumento ponderal de 13,6 ± 5,3 kg. El 33,8% tuvo un parto complicado. Se establece en14,250 kg la ganancia de peso máxima para un parto sin complicaciones para un bajo peso, en 14,150 kg para un normopeso, en 12,750 kg para sobrepeso y en 10,200 kg para obesidad. El riesgo de sufrir un parto complicado por superar estos límites es de 1,9 (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 1,2-2,8), y la ganancia de peso es el único factor asociado al parto complicado. Conclusión: Para un parto sin complicaciones no debe sobrepasarse el aumento de peso establecido como seguro para su IMC (AU)

Objective: Establish limits of weight gain during pregnancy as body mass index (BMI) before the 12th week to avoid a complicated delivery. Material and methods: A prospective observational study in caucasian primiparous pregnant without underlying diseases, singleton pregnancies to term with cephalic presentation and birth weight of 2,500-4,000 g, assisted in the delivery room at University Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Tenerife, during2009/july-2010/february. It is considered complicated delivery instrumented or cesarean, its cause weight gain during pregnancy and potential confounders: age, smoking, maternal education and epidural administration. The data are summarized with appropriate statics, compare according to their characteristics, stratifying by categories of body mass index we found most sensitive-specific cut-off points for safe weight gain by COR typeII analysis and adjusting for risk factors confounding using logistic regression. Results: It includes 473 pregnant women between 16-46 years,12.7% for underweight, normal weight 53.7%, 23.3% overweight and 10.4% obese and a weight gain of 13.6 ± 5.3 kg, the 33.8% hada complicated delivery. Set to 14.250 kg weight gain for an uncomplicated delivery in the category of underweight, normal weight14.150 kg, overweight 12.750 kg and 10.200 kg for obesity. The risk to suffer a difficult delivery, to overcome these limits is 1.9 (95%CI:1.2 to 2.8), weight gain being the only factor associated with complicated delivery. Conclusion: For an uncomplicated birth pregnant women should not exceed the weight increase established as safe for your BMI (AU)

Lima de permeabilidad: capacidad de centrado y deformación. Estudio in vitro / Patency File: Centring ability and deformation. An in vitro study

Objetivo. Evaluar el transporte y la capacidad de centrado del foramen mayor, después de utilizar las limas K#10 de acero inoxidable y las limas C-Pilot como limas de permeabilidad. Material y métodos. Se emplearon veintiocho conductos mesiovestibulares de primeros molares mandibulares y maxilares, que fueron divididos en dos grupos de 14 muestras cada uno. Las limas K#10 de acero inoxidable y C-Pilot#10 se utilizaron como instrumentos de permeabilidad en los grupos A y B respectivamente. El foramen mayor fue fotografiado antes y después de realizar la permeabilización de cada conducto. Las imágenes fueron superpuestas con el programa Photoshop y analizadas con el programa Autocad. Los parámetros que se evaluaron fueron la cantidad de transporte, la capacidad de centrado, el área y el perímetro. La capacidad de centrado y el transporte fueron calculados en dos direcciones: dirección de máxima curvatura (MC) y dirección vertical a máxima curvatura (VC). El análisis estadístico se realizó con el test de Anova. Resultados. No encontramos diferencias significativas entre ambos instrumentos en la capacidad de centrado y la cantidad de deformación en cada una de las direcciones evaluadas (MC y VC) (p > 0,05). Encontramos diferencias significativas en el área entre los grupos A y B (p = 0,03) y en el perímetro entre ambos grupos (p = 0,029). Conclusiones. No encontramos diferencias significativas en la cantidad de deformación y la capacidad de centrado de las limas K#10 de acero inoxidable y las limas C-Pilot cuando fueron utilizadas como instrumentos de permeabilidad (AU)

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate root canal transportation and centring ability at the major foramen through the use of stainless steel size 10 K-Flex files and size 10 C-pilot files when used as patency files. Matherials and Methods. Twenty-eight mesiobuccal Canals of maxillary and mandibular first molars were divided into two groups of 14 canals each. Size 10 stainless steel K-Flex files and size 10 C-Pilot files were used as patency instruments in groups A and B respectively. The major foramen was photographed before and after instrumentation. The images were superimposed and then evaluated using Adobe Photoshop and Autocad. The parameters evaluated were canal transportation, centring ability perimeter and area. Transportation and centring ability were calculated in two directions: the direction of maximum curvature (MC) and a direction vertical to the maximum curvature (VC). The statistical analysis was perfomed using Anova test. Results. No significant differences were observed amongst the different instruments with respect to centring ability and transportation in either direction (P >0,05). Significant differences were observed in the area between groups A and B (P = 0.03) and in the perimeter between groups A and B (P = 0.029). Conclusions. No statistical differences were found in transportation and centring ability when size 10 K-file and size 10 C-Pilot file were used as patency file (AU)