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miR-205-5p Modulates High Glucose-Induced VEGFA Levels in Diabetic Mice and ARPE-19 Cells
No full textHigh glucose levels may cause vascular alterations in patients with diabetes, which can lead to complications such as diabetic retinopathy—an abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels. The micro-RNA miR-205-5p is known to regulate angiogenesis by modulating the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) in different systems. This study investigates the role of miR-205-5p in controlling VEGFA expression both in vitro and in the eye under hyperglycemic conditions. An alloxan-induced diabetic mouse model and retinal pigment epithelium human cell line (ARPE-19) were exposed to high glucose and treated with an ectopic miR-205-5p mimic. VEGFA mRNA and protein levels were assessed using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Additionally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were employed to evaluate angiogenesis. Our results show that high glucose significantly reduced miR-205-5p levels while upregulating VEGFA expression in both ARPE-19 cells and diabetic mice. The ectopic administration of miR-205-5p (via transfection or intravitreal injection) restored VEGFA levels and inhibited angiogenesis in HUVEC cultures. Based on these preliminary data, we suggest a potential therapeutic strategy against VEGFA involving miR-205-5p in proliferative eye-related vascular disorders.The present work received internal funds from Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno (CITSAM, UCV) and external funds from Agencia Estatal de Investigación Española (PID2020-117875GB-10), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII, PI21/00083) and the European Union research fund, HORIZON MSCA 2021-DN-01-01_RETORNA 101073316
Labour precarity and new democratic repertories in digital delivery platforms
No full textEste trabajo examina las nuevas formas de explotación laboral que introducen las plataformas digitales de reparto de mercancías y propone algunas claves para interpretar el ejercicio del poder en la economía digital. Además, recorre el repertorio de contra conductas democráticas que los trabajadores de la gig economy han desplegado en España y en otras partes de Europa para contrarrestar el deterioro de sus condiciones laborales: prácticas de democracia salvaje, asociaciones cooperativas y batallas judiciales por la formalización laboral de su actividad. El objetivo es aplicar las herramientas conceptuales de la filosofía social y la teoría democrática para comprender una de las manifestaciones más emblemáticas de la precariedad laboral contemporánea, así como dignificar las revoluciones precarias que tratan de hacerle frente.This paperexamines the new forms of labour exploitation introduced by delivery plat-forms and proposes key insights for interpreting the exercise of power in the digital econo-my. Additionally, it explores the repertoire of democratic counter-conducts that gig economy workers have deployedin Spain and other parts of Europeto counteract the dete-rioration of their working conditions: practices of ‘savage’democracy, cooperative associations, and legal strugglesfor the formalisation of their labouractivity. The aimis to apply the conceptual tools from social philosophy and democratic theory to understand one of the most emblematic manifestations of contemporary labourprecarity,as well as to dignify theprecariousrevolutions that attemptto confront it
Augmented reality exposure treatments in anxiety and related disorders: A systematic review
No full textNumerous controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in exposure treatment for different anxiety disorders. Additionally, several meta-analyses focusing on VR studies are now available. In contrast, the number of studies that focus exclusively on augmented reality (AR) is smaller, and, to the best of our knowledge, there are currently no systematic reviews or meta-analyses available on this topic. The aim of this work is to conduct a systematic review focused exclusively on studies that evaluate the effectiveness of AR in the exposure treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Systematic searches were carried out in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase in January 2025. After the screening of 622 references, thirteen studies were included, twelve of which focused on phobic disorders. Overall, the results of the included studies are promising for the use of AR for conducting the exposure treatment, especially for specific phobias. Furthermore, AR achieved high satisfaction rates and was perceived as less aversive than in vivo exposure based on participants' experiences. However, some limitations should be noted regarding the state of this field of research, especially regarding the small number of included articles and the lack of sufficient RCTs to draw firm conclusions about the efficacy of AR, highlighting the need for further research in this field
Investigation of organic micropollutants in urban wastewater and the feasibility of reusing treated wastewater for irrigation purposes
No full textWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a major source of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in aquatic environments, as conventional treatments fail to achieve complete contaminant removal, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Although the recent European Directive on wastewater represents significant progress in regulating key pollutants in urban wastewater, the overall regulatory framework remains insufficient.
This study aimed to monitor a wide range of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in influent (IWW) and effluent (EWW) wastewater from three WWTPs in Eastern Spain, assess environmental risks, and evaluate the feasibility of reusing EWW for soil irrigation. Analyses were performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with numerous isotope-labeled internal standards, ensuring excellent sensitivity and selectivity. The reliability of the data was confirmed through quality control (QC) sample analysis, with most recoveries ranging between 70 % and 120 %.
A recent multicriteria assessment based on contaminant occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity facilitated the identification and prioritization of those posing the greatest risk to aquatic environments. A similar approach was applied to assess the feasibility of using EWW as reclaimed water for soil irrigation. Our findings revealed significant concentrations of OMPs in both IWW and EWW, with varying removal efficiencies across the three WWTPs. Among the 78 compounds analyzed, diclofenac, losartan, tramadol, and chlorpyrifos were identified as the most concerning. These results highlight the urgent need for improved wastewater treatment processes to mitigate environmental risks and support the safe reuse of treated effluents for irrigation.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume
Desarrollo e Implementación de un Sistema de Automatización y Monitorización para Cuatro Reactores de Biosecado. Análisis dinámico y estudio de alternativas de control
No full textTreball de Final de Màster Universitari en Enginyeria Industrial. Codi: SJA021. Curs 2023-2024Este proyecto consiste en la implementación de un sistema de instrumentación para monitorizar un proceso en investigaci´on: el Biosecado. Este proceso consiste en el secado
de la fracción orgánica sobrante de la planta de tratamiento de residuos sólidos urbanos
utilizando únicamente bacterias y aire para alimentarlas.
El objetivo del proyecto de investigación es estudiar las posibilidades de reducir el
consumo energético al minimizar el aire inyectado necesario para el secado y, al mismo tiempo, maximizar la efciencia del proceso biológico evitando la pérdida de materia
orgánica esencial para la revalorización de la materia orgánica.
Actualmente, en la planta de tratamiento de residuos sólidos urbanos utilizan un
sistema de ventiladores que activan secuencialmente por horarios para reducir el contenido
de humedad de la materia orgánica. Este estudio busca optimizar dicho proceso mediante
un control más preciso y efciente de las condiciones ambientales del reactor, lo cual podr´ıa
resultar en una reducción signifcativa del consumo energético
Managing religious diversity in Spanish and Italian prison systems : a contrast analysis of national and European standards
No full textCultural and religious diversity has been consolidated as one of the features that most define today’s democratic societies, which are being greatly impacted by the widespread growth of migratory flows. The progressive transformation of the European religious map poses new challenges to the construction of inclusive societies that respect the different religious options. This emerging context particularly reflects in prison environments, whose enclosed nature justifies a special emphasis on their study, with a view to examining whether public administrations, within the framework of their proposals for diversity management, contemplate it and develop a politically and socially relevant intervention. In light of this, the aim of this article is to carry out a two-fold contrast analysis, by taking into account not only national legislation and practice but also European standards. The numerous meeting points Italy and Spain share justify the need for analysing their prison systems in these terms so that relevant guidelines can be suggested in order to tackle the observed deficiencies arising from a similar economic, geographical, social and even legal profile
Mechanisms underlying FGA139 neuroprotective effects [dataset]
No full textThis article investigates the anti-inflammatory properties of a novel cysteine protease inhibitor (FGA139) in in vitro models using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and human microglial cells (HMC3). Additionally, the neuroprotective effects of FGA139 were evaluated in differentiated neuron-like cells (SH-SY5Y) exposed to conditioned media from LPS-activated RAW264.7 and HMC3 cells.
Through proteomic and metabolomic analysis of human microglia activated with or without the inhibitor, novel and previously unexplored mechanisms have been discovered, opening new therapeutic pathways for these molecules as potential treatments for diseases with inflammatory etiology
Wanting to be Happy Fosters Happiness by Promoting Savoring: A Daily Diary Study
No full textThe present study examined the effect of happiness goals (i.e., the degree to which individuals want to be happy) on experiences of happiness. A daily diary study was conducted among 100 French participants. Each evening over a 1-month period, participants reported their experience of happiness during the day, their engagement in savoring and rumination during the day, and their wish to be happy tomorrow. Two main results were obtained. First, as expected, at the between-individual level, individuals with higher happiness goals were more likely to experience intense happiness, partly because they engaged more in savoring. Second, as expected, at the within-individual level, when an individual displayed higher happiness goals for tomorrow than usual, the individual was more likely to experience intense happiness during the next day than usual, partly due to stronger engagement in savoring. The results suggest that, on average, happiness goals foster happiness experiences by eliciting happiness-promoting behaviors
Bridging the gap between research and decision making : a European survey to enhance cooperation in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for illicit drugs
No full textObjectives:
Illicit drug use presents a significant challenge to global health and public safety, requiring innovative and effective monitoring strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the current landscape of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for monitoring illicit drugs in Europe, focusing on collaboration, current practices, and barriers, while identifying opportunities for improvement.
Study design:
Cross-sectional survey-based study.
Methods:
Coordinated by the Sewage Analysis CORe Group Europe (SCORE) and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), two surveys were conducted in 2023 targeting researchers and stakeholders using WBE for illicit drugs. Data were analysed to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improving WBE implementation.
Results:
The findings indicate a robust research infrastructure and diverse analytical methods among European institutions. Two-thirds of the participating countries reported using WBE data to inform policy. However, challenges persist, particularly in securing funding and coordination, as well as generating national estimates from multiple locations and addressing specific local policy needs.
Conclusions:
WBE has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring illicit drug trends and informing drug policies. To unlock its full potential, sustained funding, methodological standardization, and enhanced cooperation are essential. This study provides critical insights into the European WBE landscape, offering a roadmap for strengthening the integration of actionable WBE data into public health and policy frameworks
Prácticas docentes inclusivas en Educación Primaria : un análisis desde voces polifónicas
No full textEste artículo explora las prácticas docentes inclusivas de una maestra de Educación Primaria. La investigación se basó en la metodología biográfica-narrativa. A través de su historia de vida polifónica se analizaron estas prácticas junto a la protagonista y otros catorce informantes claves de su entorno familiar, educativo y social (familiares, estudiantes, colegas de la escuela, miembros del equipo directivo y amistades). Las narrativas polifónicas se construyeron a través de técnicas variadas que fueron co-diseñadas y pactadas con la propia protagonista, así como con el resto de los participantes del estudio (entrevistas biográficas, línea de vida, entrevistas grupales, foto-voz, autoinforme, “un día en la vida de Elena”, “Mensaje en una botella”, etc.). El análisis de los datos fue estructural mediante un sistema de categorías y códigos inductivo. Los resultados revelaron siete ideas que definieron las acciones inclusivas de esta docente: accesibilidad en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, metodologías, recursos, espacios, relaciones con estudiantes, familias y otros profesionales; evaluación y autoevaluación de la práctica. Las conclusiones muestran que estas prácticas se pueden aprender y pueden ser valiosas para que otros docentes aborden los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje desde un enfoque inclusivo