Revistas UPO (Universidad Pablo de Olivade)
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Search for biomarkers in an experimental model of hypoxic-ischaemic brain damage
No full textMotivation: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) results from sudden impaired brain blood flow, leading to oxygen deprivation and potential brain damage. Its incidence is neonates is 1 to 8 per 1,000 births, and despite being a rare disease, it ranks among the top 10 causes of childhood mortality in developed countries and contributes to life-long disabilities. The extent of motor, cognitive, and behavioural impairments depends on factors such as the affected brain region, duration of oxygen deprivation, and severity of the event. Therapeutic hypothermia is the primary intervention but early diagnostics are lacking, which highlights the need for advanced detection techniques. Our group’s single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) studies have analysed blood and vascular precursor responses in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic injury. This study aims to validate scRNA-seq findings via flow cytometry, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence, seeking for blood biomarkers.
Methods: A neonatal hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) experimental model in mice was developed based on the Rice-Vannucci’s protocol. Postnatal day 7 (P7) mice underwent unilateral ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by 90 minutes hypoxia with 9% O2. 48 hours post-insult, a multiparametric analysis was conducted assessing peripheral blood via flow cytometry and brain tissue via immunofluorescence to characterise cellular and molecular responses.
Results: Neonatal HI triggers neuroinflammatory and vascular alterations. Increased microglial activation (IBA1+) and leukocyte infiltration (CD45+) are expected in brain tissue, potentially modulated by CD31+ endothelial cells, which facilitate immune cell recruitment. Preliminary findings indicate increased Ki67+ proliferating cells in infarcted areas. Optimization of leukocyte (CD45, CD11b) and endothelial (CD31) staining in SHAM and HI samples is ongoing. Flow cytometry has been initiated, focusing on monocyte subsets due to previous scRNA-seq assays. An 8-colour panel has been optimized in control samples using markers: DAPI, CD45, Ly6C, Lyve1, CD172, CD36, and Siglec-F. While quantitative significance is pending, preliminary results align with previous scRNA-seq data.
Conclusions: Expected findings suggest immune activation in brain tissue and peripheral blood, indicating the neuroinflammatory response after an HI episode. Aligning these results with previous transcriptomic studies could aid in developing rapid diagnostic strategies for HIE in newborns
Impact of a ferrotherapy intervention on the immune system.
Full text linkMotivation: Absolute iron deficiency is a prevalent condition among women, characterized by low iron levels that can precede the onset of iron-deficiency anemia. Research utilizing animal models indicates a potential influence on the immune system (IS), although evidence from human studies remains limited. We hypothesized that the restoration of normal iron levels could favorably modified the immunological profile of iron-deficient patients.
Methods: This study included 42 non-obese, menstruating adult women devoid of comorbidities, all presenting with ferritin levels below 30 ng/mL, who received supplementation with ferric carboxymaltose. Out of the initial cohort, 32 patients completed the treatment protocol. Blood samples were collected prior to and following the therapy. Additionally, a control group consisting of 3 individuals with ferritin levels exceeding 65 ng/mL was recruited. We evaluated parameters related to iron metabolism, complete blood counts, lymphocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin levels, inflammatory markers (including DD, B2M, hsCRP), and complement components (C3, C4). Statistical analyses employed Wilcoxon tests for longitudinal data and Mann-Whitney U tests for comparisons against the control group.
Results: The patient cohort had a median age of 43 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 24.8 kg/m². Clinical symptoms were reported by 90% of participants, with 44% meeting the diagnostic criteria for anemia. Menorrhagia was identified as the primary etiology of iron deficiency. Treatment resulted in the correction of iron metabolism parameters and a reduction in leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and platelet counts. Percentages of %B and %T lymphocytes increased, concomitant with a reduction in the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, while the percentage of %NK decreased. IgM levels increased, whereas IgG, C3, and DD levels demonstrated a decrease; C4 and other inflammatory markers showed no significant changes. Importantly, iron-deficient patients did not exhibit pathological alterations in immune parameters, since both, pre- and post-treatment values remained within the normal range.
Conclusions: Ferric carboxymaltose treatment was effective and revealed effects on the IS, including changes in leukocyte subpopulations, a potential benefit in humoral response, and activation of the alternative complement pathway
Assessment of the Subchronic Toxicity of Salicornia ramosissima Extract in Rats Over a 90-Day Period.
Full text linkLifestyle behaviours have been shown to influence the risk of stroke. Polyphenol-rich diet or the use of polyphenol-containing supplements are suggested as a potential strategy for stroke prevention, by improving lipid profiles, blood pressure, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. In this context, Salicornia ramosissima, or glasswort, is a halophyte found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast that have been reported to exert a benefit in flies and mice animal models of stroke. Moreover, Salicornia extracts have been shown to be safe in healthy volunteers at short term, and to modulate several vascular parameters in patients after suffering a transient ischaemic attack. These positive results encourage further research to develop effective food supplements for the prevention or treatment of neurovascular disorders, particularly stroke. However, its use cannot be fully recognized without comprehensive biosafety studies. Therefore, a subchronic 90-days toxicity study was conducted following EFSA guidelines. A total of 80 Wistar rats (40 males and 40 females) were randomly assigned to three different doses of Salicornia extract or placebo. Animals were monitored for clinical symptoms as well as for food and water consumption. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for haematological analysis. In addition, the organs were dissected and processed for histological analysis. The results obtained showed no signs of toxicity at the clinical, biochemical or histological levels at any dose, supporting the safety of this extract for future clinical studies
Participación juvenil escolar. ESEC como modelo para el desarrollo de buenas prácticas socioeducativas: ESEC as a model for the development of good socioeducational practices
No full textThe school is currently taking on a new social role as it faces increasingly complex demands that go beyond academic instruction, requiring comprehensive responses grounded in inclusive, democratic, and participatory approaches. This text explores how the educational system stands at a crossroads between its traditional instructional function and its broader social responsibility, particularly in vulnerable contexts. In this scenario, youth participation is presented as a central pillar of educational culture, essential for building fairer, more equitable, and community-connected school environments. This participation must be structural, sustained, and impactful—far from merely symbolic. From this perspective, the pilot experience of School and Community Social Education (ESEC) is highlighted as a reference model that promotes innovative and transformative socio-educational practices. ESEC fosters a culture of shared responsibility and youth leadership, while strengthening ties between schools, families, and communities. It also emphasizes the need for flexible structures and specialized professional profiles to effectively manage participation. Overall, this proposal seeks to redefine the school’s role as an agent of social change, capable of generating genuine and sustainable participatory processes that support democratic coexistence and collective well-being from an ethical and transformative perspective.La escuela enfrenta actualmente un nuevo rol social al verse sobrecargada por demandas complejas que trascienden lo puramente académico, exigiendo respuestas integrales desde un enfoque inclusivo, democrático y participativo. Este texto analiza cómo el sistema educativo se encuentra en una encrucijada entre su función instructiva tradicional y su responsabilidad social, especialmente en contextos de vulnerabilidad. En este escenario, la participación juvenil se plantea como un eje vertebrador de la cultura educativa, clave para construir entornos escolares más justos, equitativos y vinculados a la comunidad. No se trata de una participación simbólica, sino estructural, sostenida y con impacto real. Desde esta perspectiva, se destaca la experiencia piloto de Educación Social Escolar y Comunitaria (ESEC) como un modelo de referencia que propone prácticas socioeducativas innovadoras y transformadoras. ESEC promueve una cultura de corresponsabilidad y liderazgo juvenil, y establece conexiones sólidas entre escuela, familias y comunidad. Además, subraya la necesidad de estructuras flexibles y perfiles profesionales especializados en la gestión de la participación. En conjunto, esta propuesta busca resignificar el papel de la escuela como agente de cambio social, capaz de generar procesos participativos genuinos y sostenibles que fortalezcan la convivencia democrática y el bienestar colectivo desde una perspectiva ética y transformadora.La scuola si trova attualmente ad affrontare un nuovo ruolo sociale, poiché è sovraccaricata da richieste complesse che trascendono l'ambito puramente accademico, richiedendo risposte complete da un approccio inclusivo, democratico e partecipativo. Questo testo analizza come il sistema educativo si trovi a un bivio tra la sua tradizionale funzione educativa e la sua responsabilità sociale, soprattutto in contesti di vulnerabilità. In questo scenario, la partecipazione dei giovani è vista come una spina dorsale della cultura educativa, fondamentale per costruire ambienti scolastici più giusti, equi e legati alla comunità. Non si tratta di una partecipazione simbolica, ma strutturale, sostenuta e con un impatto reale. Da questo punto di vista, l'esperienza pilota di School and Community Social Education (ESEC) si pone come modello di riferimento che propone pratiche socio-educative innovative e trasformative. L'ESEC promuove una cultura della corresponsabilità e del protagonismo giovanile e stabilisce solide connessioni tra scuola, famiglie e comunità. Inoltre, sottolinea la necessità di strutture flessibili e di profili professionali specializzati nella gestione della partecipazione. Nel complesso, questa proposta cerca di ridefinire il ruolo della scuola come agente di cambiamento sociale, capace di generare processi partecipativi autentici e sostenibili che rafforzino la convivenza democratica e il benessere collettivo da una prospettiva etica e trasformativa.A escola enfrenta atualmente um novo papel social ao ser sobrecarregada por exigências complexas que transcendem o meramente académico, exigindo respostas globais a partir de uma abordagem inclusiva, democrática e participativa. Este texto analisa como o sistema educativo se encontra numa encruzilhada entre a sua função tradicional de instrução e a sua responsabilidade social, especialmente em contextos de vulnerabilidade. Neste cenário, a participação juvenil é vista como uma espinha dorsal da cultura educativa, fundamental para a construção de ambientes escolares mais justos, equitativos e vinculados à comunidade. Não se trata de uma participação simbólica, mas estrutural, sustentada e com impacto real. Nesta perspetiva, a experiência piloto da Educação Social Escolar e Comunitária (ESEC) destaca-se como um modelo de referência que propõe práticas socioeducativas inovadoras e transformadoras. A ESEC promove uma cultura de corresponsabilidade e de protagonismo juvenil, e estabelece ligações sólidas entre a escola, as famílias e a comunidade. Além disso, sublinha a necessidade de estruturas flexíveis e de perfis profissionais especializados na gestão da participação. Em suma, esta proposta procura redefinir o papel da escola como agente de mudança social, capaz de gerar processos participativos genuínos e sustentáveis que fortaleçam a convivência democrática e o bem-estar coletivo a partir de uma perspetiva ética e transformadora
Fressoz, Jean-Baptiste; Sin transición. Una nueva historía de la energía, Editorial Arpa, Barcelona 2025 (360 pp.), ISBN: 978-84-10313-84-2
Full text linkEstado y democracia constitucional en el pensamiento crítico de Otto Kirchheimer
Full text linkThe twentieth century, and especially the years of the two world wars, were difficult years, years of transition marked by civilizational changes and tragedies. From that very period, it became clear that the twentieth century would be a confusing mix of emergencies, disasters, improvisations, and artificial solutions. In 1914, in just a few weeks, things changed from a peaceful current—at least apparently—to a torrent of turbulent waters. With the economic and political changes of the interwar period, pessimists and those who believed in stagnation had good reason to feel discouraged. They were the realists. The Weimar Republic was born in the midst of the crisis of the first post-war period, in a defeated Germany that would have to assume the singularly harsh (and in some cases almost impossible to fulfil) economic impositions established in the Treaty of Versailles as a vanquished power. Otto Kirchheimer was particularly critical of the Weimar Republic and its formal legality, and he did so in a lucid and controversial manner in his proposals during a tragic period of crisis for the Weimar Republic and intense intellectual debate; a true “idea factory,” and at the same time a foreshadowing of the model of social constitutionalism of the post-World War II era. A constitutionalism that would entail a disruptive break with traditional constitutionalism based on liberal ideology. It is also an essential element of awareness in civilized countries about the foundations of their own political existence. It should not be forgotten that Kirchheimer paid special attention to the transformations of the modern state and the party system.El siglo veinte, y muy especialmente los años de las dos guerras mundiales, fueron años difíciles, años de transición de cambios civilizatorios y trágicos. Desde ese mismo periodo quedó claro que el siglo veinte sería una mezcla confusa de situaciones de emergencia, desastres, improvisaciones y soluciones artificiales. En 1914, y en pocas semanas, se cambia desde una corriente apacible -al menos aparentemente- a un torrente de aguas turbulentas. Con los cambios económicos y políticos de entreguerras, los pesimistas y los que creían en un estancamiento tenían buenas razones para sentirse desanimados. Eran los realistas. La República de Weimar nació en plena crisis de la primera postguerra mundial, en una Alemania derrotada que tendría que asumir las imposiciones económicas, singularmente duras (y en algún caso casi de imposible cumplimiento), que como potencia vencida se establecían en el Tratado de Versalles. Otto Kirchheimer se mostró especialmente crítico con la República de Weimar y su legalidad formal, y lo hizo de forma ciertamente lúcida y controvertida en sus planteamientos en una época trágica de crisis de la República de Weimar y de intenso debate intelectual; una verdadera "fábrica de ideas", y al mismo tiempo una anticipación del modelo de constitucionalismo social de la segunda postguerra mundial. Un constitucionalismo que entrañaría una línea disruptiva respecto del constitucionalismo tradicional sustentado en la ideología liberal. Es también un elemento esencial de toma de conciencia en los países civilizados sobre los fundamentos de la propia existencia política. No se olvide que Kirchheimer prestó una especial atención a las transformaciones del Estado moderno y al sistema de partidos
Participación de las personas transgénero e intersexuales en competiciones deportivas profesionales: reflexiones sobre la identificación del colectivo discriminado
Full text linkThe participation of transgender individuals in professional sports competitions presents a particular legal conflict, as it arises between two groups that have traditionally been subject to discrimination, both in society at large and in sport specifically. Transgender and intersex individuals wish to be able to choose the category in which they compete, which raises concerns when individuals who were biologically born male, or who possess sexual characteristics that do not fully align with the traditional binary classification of male or female, seek to participate in women’s competitions, as they may enjoy physiological advantages over their female competitors. This paper offers an analysis from a strictly legal perspective and concludes that, in this specific case, the right to non-discrimination on grounds of sex should prevail over the right to non-discrimination of transgender and intersex individuals.La participación de las personas transgénero en competiciones deportivas profesionales plantea un conflicto jurídico peculiar, porque se suscita entre dos colectivos que tradicionalmente han estado discriminados, tanto en la sociedad en general, como en el deporte en particular. Las personas transgénero e intersexuales desean poder elegir la categoría en la que inscribirse, y ello plantea dudas cuando individuos nacidos biológicamente como hombres, o con características sexuales que no encajan completamente en la clasificación binaria tradicional de hombre o mujer, aspiran a participar en competiciones femeninas, porque podrían disfrutar de ventajas fisiológicas sobre sus rivales que nacieron mujeres y que justifican la creación y pervivencia de esa categoría. Desde una perspectiva estrictamente jurídica, este artículo concluye que el derecho a la no discriminación por razón de sexo debe prevalecer en este caso concreto sobre el derecho a la no discriminación de las personas transgénero e intersexuales
Inversión extranjera directa y crecimiento económico en Colombia y México:: un análisis comparativo a través de series de tiempo con mínimos cuadrados generalizados (1994-2017)
Full text linkA considerable increase in the flows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America has been observed in recent years, especially in Colombia and Mexico. Using the time series methodology, this work aims to analyze the impact of FDI and its spillover effects on the economic growth of the two countries. In this way, it is found that in the case of Mexico the direct effects that FDI leaves on its economy are positive; however, in the case of Colombia these effects are negative. Finally, the obtained results show that the spillover effects on economic growth, measured as an indirect effect, produce a positive impact on both countries.Un considerable aumento de los flujos de Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED) en Latinoamérica, se ha observado en los últimos años, especialmente en Colombia y México. Utilizando la metodología de series de tiempo con mínimos cuadrados estandarizados, este trabajo busca analizar el impacto de la IED y sus efectos spillover sobre el crecimiento económico de ambos países. Con ello se encuentra que, para el caso de México, los efectos directos que deja la IED sobre su economía son positivos, mientras para el caso colombiano, estos efectos son negativos. Sin embargo, los efectos spillover sobre el crecimiento económico, medido como un efecto indirecto, producen un impacto positivo sobre ambos países
La productividad laboral en la era de la IA: Perspectivas a partir de Datos de Panel
Full text linkThis study examines how labour productivity is affected by AI-related developments by examining a balanced panel dataset of businesses that operate in three different areas between 2014 and 2023. The study uses pooled OLS, Fixed Effects (FE), and Random Effects (RE) models to assess the effects of important factors such as AI-related and non-AI patents, R&D investment, labour input, and company turnover on labour productivity, the dependent variable. According to the findings, AI-related patents have a notable positive impact on labour productivity, supporting earlier studies on technology-driven productivity improvements and highlighting the critical significance of AI innovation. Labour input, on the other hand, has a negative correlation with productivity, indicating either inefficiencies in managing larger workforces or diminishing returns to scale. It's interesting to note that employee turnover and productivity are positively correlated, which could be a result of workforce optimisation or the introduction of new perspectives and abilities. In comparison to pooled OLS, the FE model, which takes firm-specific heterogeneity into account, explains around 45.7% of the productivity variance. Diagnostic tests verify the models' resilience, and their validity is improved by autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity corrections. These findings warn against inefficient labour use while highlighting the value of AI and R&D expenditures in boosting productivity. This study advances our knowledge of the dynamics of productivity, labour management, and innovation and guides company executives and policymakers as they navigate the AI-driven economy.
Este estudio examina cómo la productividad laboral se ve afectada por los avances relacionados con la IA mediante el examen de un conjunto de datos de panel equilibrado de empresas que operan en tres áreas diferentes entre 2014 y 2023. El estudio utiliza modelos OLS combinados, de efectos fijos (FE) y de efectos aleatorios (RE) para evaluar los efectos de factores importantes como las patentes relacionadas y no relacionadas con la IA, la inversión en I+D, la mano de obra y la rotación de las empresas sobre la productividad laboral, la variable dependiente. Según los resultados, las patentes relacionadas con la IA tienen un notable impacto positivo en la productividad laboral. Por otra parte, la mano de obra tiene una correlación negativa con la productividad, lo que indica ineficiencias en la gestión de plantillas más grandes o rendimientos decrecientes a escala. Es interesante observar que la rotación de personal y la productividad están positivamente correlacionadas, lo que podría ser resultado de la optimización de la mano de obra o de la introducción de nuevas perspectivas y habilidades. En comparación con el modelo OLS agrupado, el modelo FE, que tiene en cuenta la heterogeneidad específica de las empresas, explica en torno al 45,7% de la varianza de la productividad. Las pruebas de diagnóstico verifican la resistencia de los modelos y su validez mejora con correcciones de autocorrelación y heteroscedasticidad
Competencias clave del capital humano para el desarrollo empresarial en pequeñas y medianas empresas
Full text linkThis study analyzes the key competencies of human capital for business development in small and medium enterprises. The study has a cross-sectional quantitative approach with a non-experimental research design using a measurement instrument composed of 18 items. In data collection, the participation of 152 companies was obtained. The information is analyzed in the SPSS and AMOS statistical packages to carry out reliability, validity and statistical analysis tests by confirmatory factor analysis. To achieve model fit, three items corresponding to a construct were eliminated and one item was also related to the constructs, obtaining an R2 of 0.460. The result of the covariance model was obtained in a positive sense, obtaining representativeness in each case analyzed. Instrumental competencies are essential for effective leadership, knowledge integration, and social interaction. Transformational leadership, in turn, promotes competency integration and effective collaboration.En el presente estudio se analizan las competencias clave del capital humano para el desarrollo empresarial en pequeñas y medianas empresas. El estudio es de enfoque cuantitativo de corte transversal con diseño de investigación no experimental utilizando un instrumento de medición compuesto por 18 ítems, en la recolección de datos se obtuvo la participación de 152 empresas. La información es analizada en los paquetes estadísticos SPSS y AMOS para realizar las pruebas de confiabilidad, validez y análisis estadístico por análisis factorial confirmatorio. Para lograr el ajuste del modelo se eliminaron tres ítems correspondientes a un constructo y además se relacionó un ítem con los constructos obteniendo una R2 de 0.460. El resultado del modelo de covarianza se obtuvo resultados en sentido positivo obteniendo representatividad en cada caso analizado. Las competencias instrumentales resultan fundamentales para el liderazgo efectivo, la integración de conocimientos y la interacción social. El liderazgo transformacional, a su vez, es impulsor de la integración de competencias y la colaboración efectiva