Impact of anxiety and depression on the prognosis of copd exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Frequent and highly prevalent as comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients, both depression and anxiety seem to have an impact on COPD prognosis. However, they are underdiagnosed and rarely treated properly. AIM: To establish the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients admitted for Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and determine their influence on COPD prognosis. METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted from October 1, 2016 to October 1, 2018 at the following centers in Galicia, Spain: Salnés County Hospital, Arquitecto Marcide, and Clinic Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela. Patients admitted for AECOPD who agreed to participate and completed the anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were included in the study. RESULTS: 288 patients (46.8%) were included, mean age was 73.7 years (SD 10.9), 84.7% were male. 67.7% patients were diagnosed with probable depression, and depression was established in 41.7%; anxiety was probable in 68.2% and established in 35.4%. 60.4% of all patients showed symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Multivariate analysis relates established depression with a higher risk of late readmission (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.28; 3.31) and a lower risk of mortality at 18 months (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37; 0.90). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in COPD patients is high. Depression seems to be an independent factor for AECOPD, so early detection and a multidisciplinary approach could improve the prognosis of both entities. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Galicia (code 2016/460).

Human-Induced Neural and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Combined with a Curcumin Nanoconjugate as a Spinal Cord Injury Treatment.

We currently lack effective treatments for the devastating loss of neural function associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we evaluated a combination therapy comprising human neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-NSC), human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and a pH-responsive polyacetal-curcumin nanoconjugate (PA-C) that allows the sustained release of curcumin. In vitro analysis demonstrated that PA-C treatment protected iPSC-NSC from oxidative damage in vitro, while MSC co-culture prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in iPSC-NSC. Then, we evaluated the combination of PA-C delivery into the intrathecal space in a rat model of contusive SCI with stem cell transplantation. While we failed to observe significant improvements in locomotor function (BBB scale) in treated animals, histological analysis revealed that PA-C-treated or PA-C and iPSC-NSC + MSC-treated animals displayed significantly smaller scars, while PA-C and iPSC-NSC + MSC treatment induced the preservation of ß-III Tubulin-positive axons. iPSC-NSC + MSC transplantation fostered the preservation of motoneurons and myelinated tracts, while PA-C treatment polarized microglia into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Overall, the combination of stem cell transplantation and PA-C treatment confers higher neuroprotective effects compared to individual treatments.

Complex Morphogenesis by a Model Intrinsically Disordered Protein.

The development of intricate and complex self-assembling structures in the micrometer range, such as biomorphs, is a major challenge in materials science. Although complex structures can be obtained from self-assembling materials as they segregate from solution, their size is usually in the nanometer range or requires accessory techniques. Previous studies with intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have shown that the active interplay of different molecular interactions provides access to new and more complex nanostructures. As such, it is hypothesized that enriching the variety of intra- and intermolecular interactions in a model IDP will widen the landscape of sophisticated intermediate structures that can be accessed. In this study, a model silk-elastin-like recombinamer capable of interacting via three non-covalent interactions, namely hydrophobic, ion-pairing, and H-bonding is built. This model material is shown to self-assemble into complex stable micrometer-sized biomorphs. Variation of the block composition, pH, and temperature demonstrates the necessary interplay of all three interactions for the formation of such complex structures.

Controlled Production of Elastin-like Recombinamer Polymer-Based Membranes at a Liquid-Liquid Interface by Click Chemistry.

Diffusion of organic and inorganic molecules controls most industrial and biological processes that occur in a liquid phase. Although significant efforts have been devoted to the design and operation of large-scale purification systems, diffusion devices with adjustable biochemical characteristics have remained difficult to achieve. In this regard, micrometer-scale, bioinspired membranes with tunable diffusion properties have been engineered by covalent cross-linking of two elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) at a liquid-liquid interface. The covalent approach selected provides the desired ELR-based membranes with structural support, and modulation of the concentration of the polypeptides employed confers direct control of the thickness, pore size, and diffusive properties over a broad range of molecular weights (4-150 kDa). The recombinant and versatile nature of the proteinaceous building blocks employed further paves the way to engineering bioactive motifs within the membrane scaffold, thereby widening their applicability in the biological field.

Tuning the Stiffness of Surfaces by Assembling Genetically Engineered Polypeptides with Tailored Amino Acid Sequence.

We introduce elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) as polypeptides with precise amino acid positioning to generate polypeptide coatings with tunable rigidity. Two ELRs are used: V84-ELR, a hydrophobic monoblock, and EI-ELR, an amphiphilic diblock. Both were modified with the amine-reactive tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride compound. We evaluated the affinity, conformation, and dissipative behavior of ELRs assembled on alkanethiol self-assembled coatings by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, multiparametric surface plasmon resonance, and atomic force microscopy. The thickness of the polypeptide coatings showcases the preferential affinity of ELRs to NH2- and CH3-terminated surfaces. We demonstrate that V84-ELR strongly bonded to the substrate and reorganizes into an extended and more hydrated layer as the adsorbed amount increases, whereas EI-ELR has a less dissipative behavior. The results suggest that ELR adsorption depends on the amino acid sequence and the substrate chemistry, ultimately influencing the stiffness of the polypeptide coatings.

Risk Factors of Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Applying a Machine Learning Algorithm.

Introduction: Risk stratification of patients with COVID-19 can be fundamental to support clinical decision-making and optimize resources. The objective of our study is to identify among the routinely tested clinical and analytical parameters those that would allow us to determine patients with the highest risk of dying from COVID-19. Material and methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort multicentric study by consecutively, including hospitalized patients with COVID-19 admitted in any of the 11 hospitals in the healthcare network of HM Hospitals-Spain. We collected the clinical, demographic, analytical, and radiological data from the patient's medical records.To assess each of the biomarkers' predictive impact and measure the statistical significance of the variables involved in the analysis, we applied a random forest with a permutation method. We used the similarity measure induced by a previously classification model and adjusted the k-groups clustering algorithm based on the energy distance to stratify patients into a high and low-risk group. Finally, we adjusted two optimal classification trees to have a schematic representation of the cut-off points. Results: We included 1246 patients (average age of 65.36 years, 62% males). During the study one hundred sixty-eight patients (13%) died. High values of age, D-Dimer, White Blood Cell, Na, CRP, and creatinine represent the factors that identify high-risk patients who would die. Conclusions: Age seems to be the primary predictor of mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, while the impact of acute phase reactants and blood cellularity is also highly relevant.

Introducción: La estratificación del riesgo de los pacientes con COVID-19 puede ser fundamental para apoyar la toma de decisiones clínicas y optimizar los recursos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es identificar, entre los parámetros clínicos y analíticos probados de forma rutinaria, aquellos que nos permitirían determinar a los pacientes con mayor riesgo de morir por COVID-19. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio multicéntrico de cohorte retrospectiva de forma consecutiva, incluyendo pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 ingresados en cualquiera de los 11 hospitales de la red sanitaria de HM Hospitales-España.Los datos clínicos, demográficos, analíticos y radiológicos se recopilaron de las historias clínicas de los pacientes.Para evaluar el impacto predictivo de cada uno de los biomarcadores y medir la significación estadística de las variables involucradas en el análisis, se aplicó un bosque aleatorio con un método de permutación. Utilizamos la medida de similitud inducida por un modelo de clasificación previo, y ajustamos el algoritmo de agrupación de grupos k en función de la distancia de energía para estratificar a los pacientes en un grupo de alto y bajo riesgo. Finalmente, ajustamos 2 árboles de clasificación óptimos para tener una representación esquemática de los puntos de corte. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1.246 pacientes (edad promedio de 65,36 años, 62% varones). Durante el estudio murieron 168 pacientes (13%). Los factores que identifican a los pacientes de alto riesgo de mortalidad son los valores elevados de edad, dímero D, glóbulos blancos, Na, PCR y creatinina. Conclusiones: La edad parece ser el principal predictor de mortalidad en pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2, mientras que el impacto de los reactantes de fase aguda y la celularidad sanguínea también es muy relevante.

Biocasting of an elastin-like recombinamer and collagen bi-layered model of the tunica adventitia and external elastic lamina of the vascular wall.

The development of techniques for fabricating vascular wall models will foster the development of preventive and therapeutic therapies for treating cardiovascular diseases. However, the physical and biological complexity of vascular tissue represents a major challenge, especially for the design and the production of off-the-shelf biomimetic vascular replicas. Herein, we report the development of a biocasting technique that can be used to replicate the tunica adventitia and the external elastic lamina of the vascular wall. Type I collagen embedded with neonatal human dermal fibroblast (HDFn) and an elastic click cross-linkable, cell-adhesive and protease-sensitive elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) hydrogel were investigated as readily accessible and tunable layers to the envisaged model. Mechanical characterization confirmed that the viscous and elastic attributes predominated in the collagen and ELR layers, respectively. In vitro maturation confirmed that the collagen and ELR provided a favorable environment for the HDFn viability, while histology revealed the wavy and homogenous morphology of the ELR and collagen layer respectively, the cell polarization towards the cell-attachment sites encoded on the ELR, and the enhanced expression of glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix and differentiation of the embedded HDFn into myofibroblasts. As a complementary assay, 30% by weight of the collagen layer was substituted with the ELR. This model proved the possibility to tune the composition and confirm the versatile character of the technology developed, while revealing no significant differences with respect to the original construct. On-demand modification of the model dimensions, number and composition of the layers, as well as the type and density of the seeded cells, can be further envisioned, thus suggesting that this bi-layered model may be a promising platform for the fabrication of biomimetic vascular wall models.

Fibrous Scaffolds From Elastin-Based Materials.

Current cutting-edge strategies in biomaterials science are focused on mimicking the design of natural systems which, over millions of years, have evolved to exhibit extraordinary properties. Based on this premise, one of the most challenging tasks is to imitate the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), due to its ubiquitous character and its crucial role in tissue integrity. The anisotropic fibrillar architecture of the ECM has been reported to have a significant influence on cell behaviour and function. A new paradigm that pivots around the idea of incorporating biomechanical and biomolecular cues into the design of biomaterials and systems for biomedical applications has emerged in recent years. Indeed, current trends in materials science address the development of innovative biomaterials that include the dynamics, biochemistry and structural features of the native ECM. In this context, one of the most actively studied biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications are nanofiber-based scaffolds. Herein we provide a broad overview of the current status, challenges, manufacturing methods and applications of nanofibers based on elastin-based materials. Starting from an introduction to elastin as an inspiring fibrous protein, as well as to the natural and synthetic elastin-based biomaterials employed to meet the challenge of developing ECM-mimicking nanofibrous-based scaffolds, this review will follow with a description of the leading strategies currently employed in nanofibrous systems production, which in the case of elastin-based materials are mainly focused on supramolecular self-assembly mechanisms and the use of advanced manufacturing technologies. Thus, we will explore the tendency of elastin-based materials to form intrinsic fibers, and the self-assembly mechanisms involved. We will describe the function and self-assembly mechanisms of silk-like motifs, antimicrobial peptides and leucine zippers when incorporated into the backbone of the elastin-based biomaterial. Advanced polymer-processing technologies, such as electrospinning and additive manufacturing, as well as their specific features, will be presented and reviewed for the specific case of elastin-based nanofiber manufacture. Finally, we will present our perspectives and outlook on the current challenges facing the development of nanofibrous ECM-mimicking scaffolds based on elastin and elastin-like biomaterials, as well as future trends in nanofabrication and applications.

Elastin-Plasma Hybrid Hydrogels for Skin Tissue Engineering.

Dermo-epidermal equivalents based on plasma-derived fibrin hydrogels have been extensively studied for skin engineering. However, they showed rapid degradation and contraction over time and low mechanical properties which limit their reproducibility and lifespan. In order to achieve better mechanical properties, elasticity and biological properties, we incorporated a elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) network, based on two types of ELR, one modified with azide (SKS-N3) and other with cyclooctyne (SKS-Cyclo) chemical groups at molar ratio 1:1 at three different SKS (serine-lysine-serine sequence) concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt.%), into plasma-derived fibrin hydrogels. Our results showed a decrease in gelation time and contraction, both in the absence and presence of the encapsulated human primary fibroblasts (hFBs), higher mechanical properties and increase in elasticity when SKSs content is equal or higher than 3%. However, hFBs proliferation showed an improvement when the lowest SKS content (1 wt.%) was used but started decreasing when increasing SKS concentration at day 14 with respect to the plasma control. Proliferation of human primary keratinocytes (hKCs) seeded on top of the hybrid-plasma hydrogels containing 1 and 3% of SKS showed no differences to plasma control and an increase in hKCs proliferation was observed for hybrid-plasma hydrogels containing 5 wt.% of SKS. These promising results showed the need to achieve a balance between the reduced contraction, the better mechanical properties and biological properties and indicate the potential of using this type of hydrogel as a testing platform for pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, and future work will elucidate their potential.

Elastin-like recombinamers in collagen-based tubular gels improve cell-mediated remodeling and viscoelastic properties.

Natural polymers are commonly used as scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering. The recognized biological properties of this class of materials are often counterbalanced by their low mechanical performance. In this work, recombinant elastin-like polypeptides (or elastin-like recombinamers, ELRs) were mixed with collagen gel and cells to produce cellularized tubular constructs in an attempt to recapitulate the mechanical behavior of the vascular extracellular matrix (ECM). The presence of the elastic protein influenced cell-mediated remodeling evaluated in terms of construct compaction, cell proliferation and ECM (collagen, elastin and fibrillin-1) gene expression. The partial substitution of collagen with ELR and the observed differences in cellular behavior synergistically contributed to the superior viscoelastic properties of the constructs containing 30% ELR and 70% of collagen (in mass). This led to the improvement of 40% in the initial elastic modulus, 50% in the equilibrium elastic modulus, and 37% in the tensile strength at break without compromising the strain at break, when compared to a pure collagen scaffold. Suggestions for future research include modifications in the crosslinking technology, ELR composition, polymer concentration, cell seeding density and dynamic stimulation, which have the potential to further improve the mechanical performance of the constructs towards physiological values.

Molecular markers reveal no genetic differentiation between Myrica rivas-martinezii and M. faya (Myricaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Myrica rivas-martinezii is a critically endangered endemic of the laurel forest of the Canary Islands and co-occurs very close to M. faya. Some authors suggest that M. rivas-martinezii and M. faya are two morphs of the same species, so molecular markers were used to estimate the levels and structuring of genetic variation within and among natural populations in order to evaluate genetic relationships between these two congeners. METHODS: Six polymorphic microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers were used to determine the genetic diversity and the genetic relationship between both Myrica species. KEY RESULTS: Most of the natural populations analysed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for both taxa. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) for both species revealed that most of the genetic variability detected was contained within populations (92.48 and 85.91 % for M. faya and M. rivas-martinezii, respectively), which it is consistent with outcrossing and dioecious plants. Estimates of interpopulation genetic variation, calculated from F(ST) and G'(ST), were quite low in the two taxa, and these values did not increase substantially when M. rivas-martinezii and M. faya populations were compared. The UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance clustered the populations by their island origin, independently of taxon. In fact, the mixture of individuals of both taxa did not appreciably disrupt the intrapopulational genetic cohesion, and only 3.76 % variation existed between species. CONCLUSIONS: All the results obtained using molecular markers indicate clearly that both taxa share the same genetic pool, and they are probably the same taxa. Considering that M. rivas-martinezii is classified as at risk of extinction, there should be a change of focus of the current management actions for the conservation of this putatively endangered Canarian endemic.

Characterization of six microsatellite loci in Myrica faya (Myricaceae) and cross amplification in the endangered endemic M. rivas-martinezii in Canary Islands, Spain.

Six novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from enriched libraries in Myrica faya Ait., recently renamed Morella faya, (fayatree, firetree, or firebush) in order to examine the genetic diversity in natural populations. Also, test cross-specific amplification and genetic diversity in Myrica rivas-martinezii, which is endemic on the Canary islands. Microsatellite loci were screened in 225 individuals of both species from different islands of the Canarian archipelago. All markers were successfully amplified from both Myrica species, with an average number of 6.5 and 9.3 alleles per locus in M. rivas-martinezii and M. faya, respectively. There was no evidence for linkage disequilibrium between loci, and the probability of null alleles ranged from 0.01 to 0.17.

Sistema de actividades para desarrollar habilidades comunicativas en idioma Inglés en los residentes de Estomatología / System of activities for developing communication skills in the English language in dental residents

RESUMEN Fundamento: la preparación idiomática, según lo establecido por el Marco Común Europeo de Referencia (MCER), constituye una necesidad de primer orden en el proceso de formación y superación de los futuros profesionales de las ciencias médicas. Objetivo: diseñar un sistema de actividades para desarrollar habilidades comunicativas en idioma Inglés en los residentes de Estomatología. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en la Facultad de Estomatología entre enero 2018-diciembre 2019. Se emplearon métodos teóricos: histórico-lógico, analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo y sistémico-estructural; empíricos: análisis documental, encuesta en forma de cuestionario a estudiantes y entrevista a informantes clave. Resultados: el diagnóstico realizado demostró la necesidad de diseñar un sistema de actividades que incluye tres folletos: el primero, con actividades para la impartición de clases dirigido a profesores y estudiantes; el segundo, con respuestas a interrogantes y orientaciones metodológicas generales y un set de audiciones auténticas con sus transcripciones; y el tercero, ofrece ayuda a los estudiantes en su estudio individual. Conclusiones: el sistema de actividades diseñado se caracteriza por su flexibilidad y enfoque interdisciplinar, tiene en cuenta el desarrollo de las cuatro habilidades del idioma, las subhabilidades y sus funciones. Fue valorado de forma satisfactoria por los especialistas quienes reconocieron sus adecuadas pertinencia social y pedagógica, estructura lógica, factibilidad, originalidad y valor científico-pedagógico.

ABSTRACT Background: language preparation, as established by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), constitutes a first order need in the process of training and updating future professionals in the medical sciences. Objective: to design a system of activities to develop communication skills in the English language in Dentistry residents. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Dentistry Faculty from January 2018 to December 2019. Theoretical methods were used: historical-logical, analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive and systemic-structural; empirical ones: documentary analysis, survey in the form of a questionnaire to students and interview with key informants. Results: the diagnosis showed the need to design a system of activities that includes three booklets: the first, with activities for teaching classes aimed at teachers and students; the second, with answers to questions and general methodological guidelines and a set of authentic auditions with their transcripts; and the third, offers help to students in their individual study. Conclusions: the designed activity system is characterized by its flexibility and interdisciplinary approach; it takes into account the development of the four language skills, sub skills and their functions. It was satisfactorily evaluated by specialists who recognized its adequate social and pedagogical relevance, logical structure, feasibility, originality and pedagogical-scientific value.

De Vision a face2face: recorrido en sentido de avance en la enseñanza del inglés general / From Vision to face2face: a way towards progress in the teaching of general English

RESUMEN Introducción: la colaboración médica internacionalista y la profusa literatura publicada en inglés motivan la actualización de bibliografías para su enseñanza en las universidades de ciencias médicas. Objetivo: analizar los textos de las series Vision y face2face en un recorrido donde se aprecia el avance del segundo sobre el primero. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para desarrollar un análisis crítico reflexivo del contenido; se consideraron programas de estudio, tesis de maestría, artículos originales y de revisión publicados entre 2010-2018, en español e inglés, usando Google Académico, en el período noviembre 2017-enero 2019. Las palabras clave utilizadas fueron: inglés general, ciencias médicas, proceso enseñanza aprendizaje y estudiantes de pregrado. Tras identificar los estudios preseleccionados, se realizó la lectura de títulos y resúmenes para comprobar su pertinencia con el estudio. Desarrollo: varios libros de texto para la enseñanza del inglés general comenzaron a utilizarse en las universidades de ciencias médicas cubanas en 1965, hasta que en 2007-2008 se introdujo la serie cubana Vision, muy polémica y criticada por diversos autores; la aplicación del Plan D trajo consigo la implementación de la serie face2face, concebida en la University of Cambridge de la cual se están usando los dos primeros libros, en una reproducción fotocopiada por la editorial universitaria "Félix Varela". Conclusiones: el uso de la serie face2face ha representado un avance significativo en la enseñanza del inglés general por lo interesante de sus temas, materiales de apoyo y enfoque comunicativo dirigido a desarrollar las habilidades escuchar y hablar en situaciones sociales.

ABSTRACT Background: the internationalist medical collaboration and the profuse literature published in English motivate the updating of bibliographies for their teaching in medical sciences universities. Objective: to analyze the texts of the Vision and face2face series in a way towards progress where an advance of the later over the former is perceived. Methods: a bibliographic review was carried out to develop a reflexive critical analysis of the content; We considered study programs, master's theses, original and review articles published from 2010-to 2018, in Spanish and English, using Google Scholar, in the period from November 2017 to January 2019. The key words used were general English, medical sciences, teaching-learning process and undergraduate students. After identifying the pre-selected studies, the titles and abstracts were read to verify their pertinence with the study. Development: several textbooks for the teaching of general English began to be used in the universities of Cuban medical sciences in 1965, in 2007-2008 the Cuban series Vision was introduced, highly controversial and criticized by various authors; the application of Plan D brought with it the implementation of the face2face series, conceived at Cambridge University, where the first two books are being used, in a reproduction photocopied by the "Felix Varela", University publishing house Conclusions: the use of the face2face series has represented a significant advance in the teaching of general English because of its interesting themes, support materials and communicative approach aimed at developing listening and speaking skills in social situations.

Temas para desarrollar habilidades comunicativas e investigativas desde las clases de inglés en Estomatología / Topics to develop researching and communicative skills through English classes in dentistry

RESUMEN Fundamento: para el desarrollo de las habilidades comunicativas en inglés se pueden aprovechar las habilidades adquiridas en la lengua materna y los conocimientos en el campo de la investigación al comunicar sus resultados indagatorios en ese idioma. Objetivo: elaborar un manual con temas de índole sociocultural relacionados con la profesión para desarrollar las habilidades comunicativas e investigativas en las asignaturas del ciclo inglés general de la carrera de Estomatología. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara, durante el año 2014. Fueron aplicados métodos teóricos: analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo, histórico-lógico y el sistémico-estructural; empíricos: análisis documental y bibliográfico, la observación participativa, encuesta en forma de cuestionario a estudiantes y entrevista a informantes clave; y el matemático para los valores absolutos y relativos. La propuesta fue valorada por criterios de especialistas. Resultados: se evidenció un insuficiente desarrollo de las habilidades investigativas y comunicativas en inglés entre los estudiantes. Los documentos revisados corroboraron la posibilidad de fortalecerlas vinculándolas, por lo que se elaboró un manual con temas de índole sociocultural como bibliografía de consulta para los proyectos de investigación en inglés, con vistas a su participación en eventos interculturales. Conclusiones: el manual resultó eficaz por su actualización de los contenidos y por sus fundamentos científico-metodológicos. Constituyó una herramienta útil para guiar a docentes y alumnos en el desarrollo de las habilidades investigativas y comunicativas en inglés.

ABSTRACT Background: for the development of communication skills in English, the skills acquired in the mother tongue and the knowledge in the field of research can be exploited by communicating the researching results in that language. Objective: to elaborate a manual with topics of sociocultural nature related to the profession to develop the communicative and researching abilities in the subject of the general English cycle of the Dentistry degree. Methods: a development research was carried out in the Dentistry Faculty of Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences, during 2014. Theoretical methods were applied: analytic-synthetic, inductive-deductive, historical-logical and systemic-structural; empirical ones: documentary and bibliographic analysis, participatory observation, survey in the form of a questionnaire for students and interviews with key informants; and the mathematical ones for absolute and relative values. The proposal was assessed by specialists´ criteria. Results: an insufficient development of the researching and communicative abilities in English among the students was evidenced. The revised documents corroborated the possibility of strengthening them by linking them, so a manual with sociocultural topics was prepared as a reference bibliography for research projects in English, in view to their participation in intercultural events. Conclusions: the manual was effective due to its updating of contents and its scientific-methodological foundations. It was a useful tool to guide teachers and students in the development of research and communication skills in English.

Diagnóstico sobre la integración de las habilidades comunicativas en Inglés IV en el perfil Citohistopatología / Diagnoses on the integration of communicative abilities in the English IV subject in the cytology-histology-pathology career

Fundamento: la disciplina Idioma Inglés para las carreras de la Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud es fundamental, no solo para aumentar el caudal informativo y cultural del estudiante, sino su propio desarrollo como futuro profesional. Objetivo: caracterizar la integración de las habilidades comunicativas en Inglés IV en el perfil Citohistopatología. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, desde septiembre de 2011 hasta mayo de 2012. La muestra estuvo conformada por 10 profesores de Inglés de la Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud y 20 estudiantes de 2do año del referido perfil. Se aplicaron métodos de los niveles teórico: analítico-sintético e inductivo-deductivo; y empíricos: análisis documental, observación de clases, encuestas a profesores y estudiantes. Resultados: el programa y sus orientaciones no refieren cómo integrar las cuatro habilidades comunicativas del idioma, se observan carencias metodológicas en las clases, los estudiantes reconocen tener dificultades en el dominio del inglés para comunicarse, los docentes declaran que los perfiles de la carrera, en general, no contribuyen a esa integración, y aluden a la necesidad del desarrollo de una competencia como vía de acceso de conocimiento y como medio de comunicación. Conclusiones: se caracterizó la integración de las habilidades comunicativas en Inglés IV en el perfil Citohistopatología en la que destacan carencias metodológicas para la integración de las habilidades en idioma inglés, lo que repercute en la aprehensión de las competencias comunicativas del estudiante.

Background: the English language discipline is essential for the Health Technology Faculty careers, not only to increase the cultural and information background of the students but also for their own future professional development. Objective: to characterize the integration of communicative abilities in the English IV subject in the cytology-histology-pathology career. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2011 to may 2012. The sample comprised 10 professors and 20 students of the 2nd year of the cytology-histology-pathology career of the Health Technology Faculty. Different methods were applied. Theoretical methods: analytic-synthetic and inductive-deductive; empirical methods: documents review, observation of classes and surveys to the professors and students. Results: the syllabus and the methodological guidelines don´t propose how to integrate the four communicative skills of the language, methodological deficiencies were observed in the lessons, the students recognize their lack of skills to communicate in the English language, the teachers declare that the different careers don´t favor the integration of skills in a general way, and they express the necessity to develop a communicative competence and knowledge acquisition. Conclusions: the integration of communicative abilities in the subject English IV of the cytology-histology-pathology career was characterized, methodological deficiencies for the integration of the four fundamental skills of the English language were observed. This problem doesn´t favor the acquisition of a proper communicative competence on the part of the students.

Characterization of six microsatellite loci in Myrica faya (Myricaceae) and cross amplification in the endangered endemic M. rivas-martinezii in Canary Islands, Spain

Six novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from enriched libraries in Myrica faya Ait., recently renamed Morella faya, (fayatree, firetree, or firebush) in order to examine the genetic diversity in natural populations. Also, test cross-specific amplification and genetic diversity in Myrica rivas-martinezii, which is endemic on the Canary islands. Microsatellite loci were screened in 225 individuals of both species from different islands of the Canarian archipelago. All markers were successfully amplified from both Myrica species, with an average number of 6.5 and 9.3 alleles per locus in M. rivas-martinezii and M. faya, respectively. There was no evidence for linkage disequilibrium between loci, and the probability of null alleles ranged from 0.01 to 0.17.