Revistas UPO (Universidad Pablo de Olivade)
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Fighting against Klebsiella pneumoniae: vaccine for prevention of antibiotic resistant infections.
Get PDFThe World Health Organization recognises antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 threats to human health. Thepathogens commonly implicated in AMR infections are known as ESKAPE pathogens, where we find Klebsiella pneumoniae. Itis a highly antibiotic-resistant opportunistic Enterobacteriaceae leading to a variety of diseases due to urinary-tract-infections,nosocomial, pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections and surgical wound infections that can potentially cause bacteremia andsepticemia. Furthermore, it is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis worldwide.Klebsiella pneumoniae is causing 650.000 deaths worldwide associated with antibiotic-resistance, focusing in neonates andelderly population affected by chronic diseases. Therefore, the focus of vaccine development has moved to preventing infectionsthat occur throughout all life stages by bacterial vaccines. One of these is K-vax. It is a modified inactivated whole cell bacterialvaccine, under development by Vaxdyn.In K-Vax, the major antigens leading to protective immunity are four full-length outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) expressed ina LPS-null inactivated Acinetobacter baumannii carrier cell. For vaccine approval by regulatory authorities, probing themechanism of action of the vaccine and showing the contribution of the key antigens is essential.In this work, first, we have analyzed the data presented previously by similar marketed vaccines to defend the mechanism ofaction before engaging in human clinical trials. Then, we have gathered the immunogenicity data available for K-Vax to presenta proposal for mechanism of action. In particular, we have demonstrated that vaccination of animal models, including mice andrabbits, leads to a specific humoral response against K. pneumoniae OMPs. The antisera carries functional antibodies able toopsonize and promote killing of K. pneumoniae cells by complement or human phagocytes. The mechanism of action is effectiveagainst several K. pneumoniae clinical strains, including hypervirulent strains, showing the high strain coverage of the vaccineK-Vax
Characterization of HsbA, a repressor of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas putida.
Get PDFAlternation between a free-swimming planktonic lifestyle and biofilm formation is a highly regulated process in bacteria. This process is mediated by the second messenger c-di-GMP: high levels of c-di-GMP are associated with biofilm formation while low levels promote biofilm dispersal and flagellar synthesis. The anti-σ factor antagonist protein HsbA has been described as an activator of both flagellar motility and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this organism, HsbA activity is controlled by phosphorylation mediated by the histidine phosphotransferase HptB and the response regulator HsbR. [1,2]. Although Pseudomonas putida displays orthologues of the hsbA, hsbR and hptB, the role of these proteins in lifestyle regulation has not been previously studied in this model bacterium.In this work we have characterized the role of HsbA in the regulation of the planktonic-to-biofilm lifestyle switch in P. putida by means of biofilm formation and gene expression assays. We have found that HsbA negatively regulates biofilm formation in late stationary phase by preventing the accumulation of intracellular c-di-GMP. This is achieved by inhibiting the activity of CfcR, a diguanylate cyclase expressed in stationary phase [3]. As in P. aeruginosa, HsbA activity is regulated by phosphorylation with the intervention of HptB and HsbR. In contrast, we have found no evidence of the involvement of HsbA in the regulation of the flagellar function. Our results indicate that although P. aeruginosa and P. putida share the same regulatory elements, they are functionally different, reflecting the adaptation of these bacteria to their different lifestyles
Synthesis, characterization and in vitro evaluation of doxorubicin and tannic acid nanoparticles.
Get PDFBreast cancer is one of the most common and deadly neoplasms in women worldwide. However, treatment withdoxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for this disease, is limited by its high toxicity and systemic sideeffects. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies, such as the use of nanoparticles, have been explored with thepotential to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity [1]. In this context, the main objective of this work hasbeen the synthesis and characterization of doxorubicin nanoparticles coated with tannic acid. The latter was chosenas a coating due to its various beneficial biological activities, such as its antitumoral properties, which are related tothe expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Tannic acid can enhance the effectiveness ofchemotherapy and also reduce its toxicity through numerous mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory andantioxidant activities, among others [2]. Additionally, the antitumoral efficiency of these nanoparticles is beingevaluated both in silico and in vitro in cell cultures showing different EGFR expression, aiming to explore theirpotential application in anticancer therapies.Methods: Tannic acid-coated doxorubicin nanoparticles (TADOX) were synthesized according to a method developed by ourgroup [3]. The process was modified to ensure the proper formation of stable nanoparticles with the desired size.Subsequently, TADOX nanoparticles were characterized by techniques such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, cytotoxicity assays of thenanoparticles were conducted on breast cancer cell lines and Molecular Docking (MD) calculations were performed usingautodock Vina 1.2.5.Results and conclusions: We have managed to obtain TADOX nanoparticles whose stability, surface charge, hydrodynamicdiameter and polydispersity index make them suitable for use in biomedical applications. Thus, according to theircharacteristics, TADOX are suitable for passive targeting and tissue penetration. Their composition was validated by UV-Visand FTIR, and their stability was confirmed by zeta potential measurements. Breast cancer tumor cells have shown differentsensitivity to our nanoparticles depending on their genetical profile. MD calculations were used to get a picture on themicroscopic scale
Primera fase de un proyecto sobre las fuentes: los frailes de Cerdeña y las instituciones dominicas de la península ibérica.: Investigación, problemas y perspectivas.
Get PDFThe article attempts to present some reflections born during a census of ecclesiastical archival sources in Sardinia. Some initial and partial results underline the profound relationship that the Dominicans in Sardinia had, on an institutional level, with the Iberian peninsula (especially with the province of Aragon) between the 14th and 17th centuries. The need to investigate the topic on an archival level is due to the great lack of documentary sources of these conventual realities which also make historical reconstruction difficult. For this reason, research is presented that starts from some important narrative sources, from which it is possible to reconstruct and present an initial historical context of reference, some problems and future research perspectives.El artículo intenta presentar algunas reflexiones nacidas durante un censo de fuentes archivísticas eclesiásticas en Cerdeña. Algunos resultados iniciales y parciales subrayan la profunda relación que los dominicos de Cerdeña tuvieron, a nivel institucional, con la península ibérica (especialmente con la provincia de Aragón) entre los siglos XIV y XVII. La necesidad de investigar el tema a nivel archivístico se debe a la gran falta de fuentes documentales de estas realidades conventuales que dificultan también la reconstrucción histórica. Por ello, se presenta una investigación que parte de algunas fuentes narrativas importantes, a partir de las cuales es posible reconstruir y presentar un contexto histórico inicial de referencia, algunos problemas y perspectivas futuras de investigación
Noções de Accountability na reestruturação da administração pública brasileira (1822 - 1831)
Get PDFThis article analyses the concept of accountability, exploring its mechanisms in restructuring the Brazilian public administration from 1822 to 1831. The empirical analysis was based on the reports from the Ministry of Justice, the Treasury Department, and the Brazilian Congress Annals during that period. The research used historical sources from the Center for Research Libraries and the Brazilian National Library. The findings reveal two types of accountability in the first reign (i.e., hierarchical and horizontal), with accounting playing a crucial role in promoting accountability. Finally, this research suggests that accountability is not exclusively a modern process in the Brazilian context.El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las nociones de accountability, incluyendo los mecanismos de responsabilidade y rendición de cuentas, en el caso de la reestructuración de la administración pública brasileña entre 1822 y 1831. Para ello, se realizó un análisis empírico basado en los informes del Ministerio de Justicia, el Ministerio de Hacienda y los Anales del Congreso brasileño. Los documentos de archivo se encontraban en el Centro de Bibliotecas de Investigación y en la Biblioteca Nacional. Los resultados muestran evidencias de dos modalidades de rendición de cuentas en el primer reinado, jerárquica y horizontal, así como de improbidad e inmoralidad administrativa de los agentes públicos. También indican que la intervención contable logró la rendición de cuentas, ya que la información contable es necesaria para la accountability. Finalmente, el estudio indica que el concepto de accountability no debe ser considerado como un conjunto de procesos peculiarmente modernos en el contexto brasileño.O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar as noções de accountability, incluindo mecanismos de responsabilização e prestação de contas, no caso da reestruturação da administração pública brasileira entre 1822 e 1831. Para o efeito, foi empreendida uma análise empírica que teve como base os relatórios do Ministério da Justiça, Ministério da Fazenda e Anais do Congresso Brasileiro. Os documentos de arquivo foram localizados no Center For Research Libraries e na Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil. Os resultados mostram indícios de duas modalidades de accountability no primeiro reinado, hierárquica e horizontal, assim como improbidade e imoralidade administrativa dos agentes públicos. Indicam também que a intervenção contábil atingiu a accountability, uma vez que informações da contabilidade eram necessárias para a prestação de contas. Por fim, o estudo indica que o conceito de accountability não deve ser considerado como um conjunto de processos peculiarmente moderno no contexto brasileiro
Liberdade ou exploração? O debate sobre a prostituição
Get PDFIn this work the eternal debate about the practice of prostitution is raised. Questioning whether it is possible that the practice of prostitution can be carried out freely and voluntarily by people of legal age and with full capabilities to decide and choose this professional outlet to earn a living or if, on the contrary, it is only possible to understand this phenomenon as a form of violence against women that threatens their freedom and dignity. To do this, it is necessary to analyze those concepts that allow us to affirm that prostitution can be a job of free choice. Starting from a brief contextualization of the phenomenon, which allows us to know what we are talking about when we refer to prostitution.En este trabajo se plantea el eterno debate sobre el ejercicio de la prostitución. Cuestionando si es posible que el ejercicio de la prostitución pueda ser desempeñado de forma libre y voluntaria por personas mayores de edad y con plenas capacidades para decidir y elegir esta salida profesional para ganarse la vida o si, por el contrario, solo es posible entender este fenómeno como una forma de violencia hacia la mujer atentando contra su libertad y dignidad. Para ello, es preciso analizar aquellos conceptos que permiten afirmar que la prostitución puede ser un trabajo de libre elección. Partiendo de una breve contextualización del fenómeno, que nos permita saber de qué hablamos cuando nos referimos a la prostitución.Questo lavoro affronta l'eterno dibattito sull'esercizio della prostituzione. Si chiede se sia possibile che la prostituzione possa essere esercitata in modo libero e volontario da persone maggiorenni e pienamente capaci di decidere e scegliere questa professione per guadagnarsi da vivere o se, al contrario, sia possibile intendere questo fenomeno solo come una forma di violenza nei confronti delle donne che viola la loro libertà e dignità. A tal fine, è necessario analizzare quei concetti che consentono di affermare che la prostituzione può essere un lavoro liberamente scelto. Partiamo da una breve contestualizzazione del fenomeno, che ci permetta di capire di cosa stiamo parlando quando ci riferiamo alla prostituzione.Este trabalho aborda o eterno debate sobre a prática da prostituição. Questiona se é possível que a prostituição seja exercida de forma livre e voluntária por pessoas maiores de idade e com plena capacidade para decidir e escolher esta opção profissional para ganhar a vida ou se, pelo contrário, só é possível entender este fenómeno como uma forma de violência contra a mulher, atentando contra a sua liberdade e dignidade. Para isso, é necessário analisar os conceitos que permitem afirmar que a prostituição pode ser um trabalho de livre escolha. Partindo de uma breve contextualização do fenómeno, que nos permite saber do que estamos a falar quando nos referimos à prostituição
Educación integral de la sexualidad: Medio para la libertad
Get PDFThe shared experience refers to fifteen years of work in the field of sexuality, teaching the course "Sexuality Education" at Unit 31-A of the National Pedagogical University (UPN), Valladolid Branch, in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. The teaching of the course is strengthened by the focus on comprehensive sexuality education and is recognised as a necessary field of knowledge to be addressed in the academic training of people who are trained as Graduates in Educational Intervention (LIE) at the National Pedagogical University, by the changes in the way of recognising, understanding and accepting diversity in all its expressions in the thinking of the students who take the course, it is appreciated and valued that this training space better equips the students for their future action in the labour field. In addition to learning about their own bodies and sexuality, those who take this course are empowered as sexuality educators who can provide support to others who are experiencing violence of any kind or who have doubts about their sexual and reproductive rights.La experiencia que se comparte alude a quince años de trabajo en el campo de la sexualidad impartiendo el Curso "Educación de la Sexualidad" en la Unidad 31-A de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (UPN) Subsede Valladolid en el estado de Yucatán, México. La impartición del curso se fortalece con el enfoque de educación integral de la sexualidad y se reconoce un campo del conocimiento necesario a abordarse en la formación académica de las personas que se forman como Licenciadas en Intervención Educativa (LIE) en la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, por los cambios en la forma de reconocer, comprender y aceptar la diversidad en todas sus expresiones en el pensamiento de las personas alumnas toman el curso, se aprecia y valora que este espacio formativo habilita de mejor forma al estudiantado para su futuro actuar en el campo laboral. Las personas que toman este curso además de aprender sobre su propio cuerpo y sexualidad, se habilitan como educadoras sexuales que pueden ser apoyo para otras personas que sufren violencias de cualquier tipo o tienen dudas sobre sus derechos sexuales y reproductivos
Factores de desigualdad entre teletrabajadores en Europa.
Get PDFTechnological innovations related to digitization, automation and globalization are favouring more workers to work from multiple locations. This expansion of teleworking, further stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is altering not only workspaces and work schedules, but also labour relations and working conditions. Our objective is to explore the reconfiguring of inequalities among different types of teleworkers according to the intensity and place of use of ICT. This empirical study draws on data from more than twenty thousand workers in the EU-15 from the 6th European Survey of Working Conditions to analyse, using multinomial logistic regression models, the different profiles of teleworkers. The analysis shows the tendency to an increased heterogeneity in teleworker profiles and to growing inequalities between them. There are great differences between the different types of teleworkers depending on the occupation, the activity sector and the country. Women are mostly in the most precarious group of teleworkers and with the worst working conditions.Los cambios tecnológicos provocados por la digitalización, la automatización y la globalización están permitiendo que más trabajadores/as puedan desempeñar sus tareas desde múltiples ubicaciones. Esta expansión del teletrabajo, estimulada aún más por la pandemia del COVID-19, transforma no solo los espacios y tiempos de trabajo, sino también las relaciones laborales y condiciones de empleo. Nuestro objetivo es explorar las nuevas desigualdades entre distintos tipos de trabajadores atendiendo a la intensidad y lugar de uso de las tecnologías. El estudio empírico utiliza datos de más de veinte mil trabajadores de la UE-15 de la 6ª Encuesta Europea de Condiciones de Trabajo para analizar, mediante modelos de regresión logística multinomial, los diferentes perfiles de teletrabajadores. El análisis muestra la tendencia al aumento en la heterogeneidad de los perfiles de teletrabajadores/as y a desigualdades crecientes entre ellos. Hay grandes diferencias entre los distintos tipos de teletrabajadores atendiendo a la ocupación, el sector de actividad y el país. Las mujeres se encuentran mayoritariamente en el grupo de teletrabajadores más precarios y con peores condiciones laborales
