Incorporación de un caso clínico transversal en el Grado de Farmacia. Valoración de la experiencia docente en la asignatura de Bioquímica / Incorporation of a transversal clinical case in the degree of Pharmacy. Valuation of teaching experience in the Biochemistry course

Introducción. Para implementar la transversalidad docente y evitar así la compartimentación de los conocimientos adquiridos por los estudiantes, se ha iniciado un proyecto docente coordinado y multidisciplinar basado en el desarrollo de un caso clínico sobre el consumo de alcohol. Éste se tratará en diferentes asignaturas del grado. El trabajo presenta las actuaciones realizadas y los resultados obtenidos por profesores que imparten la asignatura de Bioquímica. Material y métodos. Los alumnos de primer curso fueron convocados a una sesión informativa del caso y a un seminario de Bioquímica donde se les presentó un personaje ficticio, Sam, que a los 20 años es un bebedor de riesgo y que a lo largo de su vida va a desarrollar diferentes patologías derivadas de este consumo. También se expusieron los contenidos específicos sobre el metabolismo del alcohol. Los mismos estudiantes, ya en segundo curso, respondieron dos cuestionarios de cinco ítems sobre el seminario, uno de conocimientos y otro de opinión del caso. Resultados. La asistencia al seminario incrementó la puntuación de los ítems de conocimientos 2 y 5 respecto a la no asistencia. Se observó una baja puntuación para el ítem 1 en ambos grupos. Los ítems de opinión 4 y 5 fueron significativamente los más valorados por los alumnos, con puntuaciones medias de 4,23 ± 0,08 y 4,18 ± 0,08 sobre 5, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Los alumnos valoraron positivamente la introducción de casos clínicos en primer curso y su desarrollo de forma transversal. La asistencia al seminario mejoró la nota global de conocimientos de los estudiantes (AU)

Introduction. To implement transversal education and to avoid compartmentalization of the acquired knowledge, a coordinated and multidisciplinary teaching project based on the development of a clinical case of excessive alcohol consumption was set up. The clinical case was studied in different subjects throughout the degree. Here, we show the taken actions and the achieved results by the teachers of the Biochemistry course. Material and methods. Students of the first year were invited to a briefing of the clinical case and to attend a Biochemistry seminar. In this seminar, the case was presented through a fictitious individual named Sam who at the age of 20 is a risk drinker. Throughout his life, Sam will develop various pathologies as a result of alcohol consumption. Furthermore, specific contents related to the alcohol metabolism were provided. Next year, the same students answered two questionnaires with five items about the seminar; one concerning biochemistry knowledge and the other about their view of the case. Results. The knowledge items 2 and 5 showed significant differences between students who attended the seminar in relation with those with non-attendance. Both groups presented low punctuation for item 1. The opinion items 4 and 5 were the most appreciated by the students as the mean punctuations were 4.23 ± 0.08 and 4.18 ± 0.08 over 5 respectively. Conclusions. The students appreciate to start the study of some clinical topics in the first year and working them in a transversal manner. The assistance to the seminar improved the global mark of student’s knowledge (AU)

Chronic exposure to MDMA (ecstasy) increases DNA damage in sperm and alters testes histopathology in male rats.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") is consumed mainly by young population. For this reason, it is especially relevant to take into consideration the effects on the reproductive system. The influence of MDMA on the fertility and reproduction of the male rat was assessed in this study. MDMA was administered subcutaneously at 0 mg/kg (control), 0.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg to SD male rats once a day, 3 consecutive days a week during 12 weeks, simulating human weekend associated consumption. Hormonal, haematological, biochemical, histological, genotoxicological and testicular and sperm parameters were evaluated in half of the rats. The remaining animals were mated with untreated sexually receptive females to evaluate the mating and pregnancy rates. A significantly higher incidence of DNA damage in Comet Test in sperm, tubular degeneration and interstitial oedema in testes was found. At all doses tested, sperm motility, morphology, mating and pregnancy rates, and number of implantation sites were not affected. This study fills the existing gap of knowledge about the chronic effects of MDMA in reproductive function using a realistic experimental design. Taking into account the higher sensitivity of human males, some concerns about the effects on the reproductive health still remain.