Antimicrobial peptides designed by computational analysis of proteomes.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising cationic and amphipathic molecules to fight antibiotic resistance. To search for novel AMPs, we applied a computational strategy to identify peptide sequences within the organisms' proteome, including in-house developed software and artificial intelligence tools. After analyzing 150.450 proteins from eight proteomes of bacteria, plants, a protist, and a nematode, nine peptides were selected and modified to increase their antimicrobial potential. The 18 resulting peptides were validated by bioassays with four pathogenic bacterial species, one yeast species, and two cancer cell-lines. Fourteen of the 18 tested peptides were antimicrobial, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) values under 10 µM against at least three bacterial species; seven were active against Candida albicans with MICs values under 10 µM; six had a therapeutic index above 20; two peptides were active against A549 cells, and eight were active against MCF-7 cells under 30 µM. This study's most active antimicrobial peptides damage the bacterial cell membrane, including grooves, dents, membrane wrinkling, cell destruction, and leakage of cytoplasmic material. The results confirm that the proposed approach, which uses bioinformatic tools and rational modifications, is highly efficient and allows the discovery, with high accuracy, of potent AMPs encrypted in proteins.

Dunning-Kruger effect and flat-earthers: An exploratory analysis.

This article aims to analyze the factors influencing belief in a flat Earth. We focus on Spain, a country that sadly has some of the most relevant figures on this topic in the Spanish-speaking world. After a qualitative analysis of YouTube videos on the main channels on the subject, a survey was carried out on 1252 individuals. The results point to two conclusions. First is the presence of a considerable Dunning-Kruger effect among flat-earthers. There is a significant negative correlation between science literacy-overall and practically all its dimensions-and overconfidence in science in this group. The second, evaluated through a regression tree, confirms that the interaction of low scientific literacy and overconfidence is highly relevant in explaining the belief in a flat earth. Neither factor alone is determinant, but the combination of the two (low scientific literacy and high overconfidence) leads to high levels of flat earth belief.

Preventive measures focused on the urban-rural interface protect rural food-producing communities from SARS-CoV-2. / Medidas preventivas centradas en la interfaz urbano-rural protegen a las comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos del SARS-CoV-2

INTRODUCTION: Rural food-producing communities are fundamental for the development of economic activities associated with sustainability and food security. However, despite the importance of rurality in Colombia, preventive strategies continue to be implemented homogeneously, without considering the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in rural food-producing communities. OBJECTIVE: To model real areas in Colombia involving rural and urban populations that have intrinsic SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Characterize rural-urban interactions by means of a parameter that provides different scenarios and allows us to identify interactions capable of preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in rural food-producing communities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection was modeled in five case studies (Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Santander and Sucre) considering urban and rural areas and their interaction (connectivity) in the urban-rural interface. For this purpose, an epidemiological compartmental model considering a classification of individuals according to their economic activity and their epidemiological status was assessed. RESULTS: Preventive measures focused on the urban-rural interface impact the number of deaths in rural areas. Hence, it is possible to assume that the dynamics of the disease in rural areas depend on the constant interaction with infected individuals from urban areas, which occurs due to the food production dynamics in the urban-rural interface. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive measures should focus on places of high transmissibility and risk for rural communities, such as the urban-rural interface. This work highlights the importance of national heterogeneous preventive measures and the protection of rural communities from the social and economic impacts of SARS-CoV-2.

Introducción. Las comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos son fundamentales para el desarrollo de actividades económicas asociadas a la sostenibilidad y la seguridad alimentaria. Sin embargo, a pesar de la importancia de la ruralidad en Colombia, las estrategias de prevención continúan siendo implementadas homogéneamente, sin considerar la dinámica del SARS-CoV-2 en estas comunidades. Objetivo. Modelar la dinámica del SARS-CoV-2 en poblaciones rurales colombianas. Se quiso caracterizar la interacción rural-urbana mediante un parámetro que proporciona diferentes contextos y permite identificar una interacción rural-urbana capaz de prevenir la transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 en comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos. Materiales y métodos. La dinámica de transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 se modeló en cinco estudios de caso (Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Santander y Sucre) considerando áreas urbanas y rurales, así como su interacción (conectividad) en la interfaz urbanorural. Para ello, se empleó un modelo epidemiológico compartimental que considera una clasificación de los individuos según su actividad económica y su estado epidemiológico. Resultados. Las medidas preventivas enfocadas en la interfaz urbano-rural impactan el número de muertes en áreas rurales. Por lo tanto, es posible asumir que la dinámica de la enfermedad en las áreas rurales depende del contacto constante con los individuos infectados de las áreas urbanas, lo que ocurre debido a la dinámica de los sistemas de producción de alimentos en la interfaz urbano-rural. Conclusiones. Las medidas de prevención deben enfocarse en lugares con gran transmisibilidad y riesgo para las comunidades rurales, como la interfaz urbano-rural. En este trabajo se destaca la importancia de las medidas preventivas heterogéneas y la protección de las comunidades rurales contra los impactos sociales y económicos del SARS-CoV-2.

Preventive measures focused on the urban-rural interface protect rural food-producing communities from SARS-CoV-2 / Medidas preventivas centradas en la interfaz urbano-rural protegen a las comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos del SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: Rural food-producing communities are fundamental for the development of economic activities associated with sustainability and food security. However, despite the importance of rurality in Colombia, preventive strategies continue to be implemented homogeneously, without considering the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in rural food-producing communities. Objective: To model real areas in Colombia involving rural and urban populations that have intrinsic SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Characterize rural-urban interactions by means of a parameter that provides different scenarios and allows us to identify interactions capable of preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in rural food-producing communities. Materials and methods: The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection was modeled in five case studies (Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Santander and Sucre) considering urban and rural areas and their interaction (connectivity) in the urban-rural interface. For this purpose, an epidemiological compartmental model considering a classification of individuals according to their economic activity and their epidemiological status was assessed. Results: Preventive measures focused on the urban-rural interface impact the number of deaths in rural areas. Hence, it is possible to assume that the dynamics of the disease in rural areas depend on the constant interaction with infected individuals from urban areas, which occurs due to the food production dynamics in the urban-rural interface. Conclusions: Preventive measures should focus on places of high transmissibility and risk for rural communities, such as the urban-rural interface. This work highlights the importance of national heterogeneous preventive measures and the protection of rural communities from the social and economic impacts of SARS-CoV-2.

Introducción. Las comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos son fundamentales para el desarrollo de actividades económicas asociadas a la sostenibilidad y la seguridad alimentaria. Sin embargo, a pesar de la importancia de la ruralidad en Colombia, las estrategias de prevención continúan siendo implementadas homogéneamente, sin considerar la dinámica del SARS-CoV-2 en estas comunidades. Objetivo. Modelar la dinámica del SARS-CoV-2 en poblaciones rurales colombianas. Se quiso caracterizar la interacción rural-urbana mediante un parámetro que proporciona diferentes contextos y permite identificar una interacción rural-urbana capaz de prevenir la transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 en comunidades rurales productoras de alimentos. Materiales y métodos. La dinámica de transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 se modeló en cinco estudios de caso (Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Santander y Sucre) considerando áreas urbanas y rurales, así como su interacción (conectividad) en la interfaz urbano-rural. Para ello, se empleó un modelo epidemiológico compartimental que considera una clasificación de los individuos según su actividad económica y su estado epidemiológico. Resultados. Las medidas preventivas enfocadas en la interfaz urbano-rural impactan el número de muertes en áreas rurales. Por lo tanto, es posible asumir que la dinámica de la enfermedad en las áreas rurales depende del contacto constante con los individuos infectados de las áreas urbanas, lo que ocurre debido a la dinámica de los sistemas de producción de alimentos en la interfaz urbano-rural. Conclusiones. Las medidas de prevención deben enfocarse en lugares con gran transmisibilidad y riesgo para las comunidades rurales, como la interfaz urbano-rural. En este trabajo se destaca la importancia de las medidas preventivas heterogéneas y la protección de las comunidades rurales contra los impactos sociales y económicos del SARS-CoV-2.

Contributions of the psychology of mathematical cognition in early childhood education using apps.

Educational interventions are necessary to develop mathematical competence at early ages and prevent widespread mathematics learning failure in the education system as indicated by the results of European reports. Numerous studies agree that domain-specific predictors related to mathematics are symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison, as well as, number line estimation. The goal of this study was to design 4 digital learning app games to train specific cognitive bases of mathematical learning in order to create resources and promote the use of these technologies in the educational community and to promote effective scientific transfer and increase the research visibility. This study involved 193 preschoolers aged 57-79 months. A quasi-experimental design was carried out with 3 groups created after scores were obtained in a standardised mathematical competence assessment test, i.e., low-performance group (N = 49), high-performance group (N = 21), and control group (N = 123). The results show that training with the 4 digital learning app games focusing on magnitude, subitizing, number facts, and estimation tasks improved the numerical skills of the experimental groups, compared to the control group. The implications of the study were, on the one hand, provided verified technological tools for teaching early mathematical competence. On the other hand, this study supports other studies on the importance of cognitive precursors in mathematics performance.

Coming Together: R&D and Children's Entertainment Company in Designing APPs for Learning Early Math.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have an increasing influence on the way we interact, learn, and live. The increase in teaching and learning methodologies that are mediated by ICT in the field of education and in the domestic settings encourages the design of new effective technological tools, supported by scientific research and development to improve student learning. The challenge psychology is facing in the education field is to promote those technologies and make them available to the education community. Technologies also would produce attractive items for users and realistic commercial issues for businesses. This also allows an effective transfer for scientific work, providing visibility to Research and Development. In this context, the main aim of the article is to describe the process to get an agreement between Babyradio (a children's entertainment company: https://babyradio.es/) and our research team, starting a collaborative work between two groups of people (Babyradio's technical designer and Psychologist-Engineers software designer), in order to create several educative applications (APPs) in the field of early mathematics cognition. The institutional framework of the relationship of the R&D project and a children's entertainment company is described. The article also focuses on experience in Psychology, Technological Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. In considering the efficiency of the agreement, we present different APPs designed for tablets and smartphone devices, adapted to the different operating systems (IOS, Android, Windows). APPs are designed to instill the cognitive fundamentals associated with early math learning for students aged 4 to 7 years. The study developed after this babyradio-university enterprise agreement contributes to the development of mathematics skills in children, aged 4-7 years, so that they can successfully meet the mathematics school requirements; it also contributes to encouraging a more positive attitude toward mathematics. This study also suggests how the education system and software and educational content developers' companies would manage verified instructional APPs, with a more realistic commercial perspective.

[Kidney transplant patients without social protection in health: what do patients say about the economic hardships and impact?]. / Viviendo con trasplante renal, sin protección social en salud: ¿Qué dicen los enfermos sobre las dificultades económicas que enfrentan y sus efectos?

Kidney transplant is the optimal treatment for renal disease according to biomedical criteria, but the technology is highly expensive. The aim of this article was to examine the economic hardships experienced by kidney transplant patients and the impact on their lives, specifically when they lack social protection in health. The article reports on a qualitative study conducted in Mexico. Twenty-one kidney transplant patients participated. Semi-structured interviews were performed and submitted to content analysis. Patients experience extreme economic hardship due to the high cost of renal therapies, particularly medicines. Such economic problems adversely affect their condition, since many patients report difficulties in maintaining their immunosuppressant medication, attending medical appointments, and curtailing household expenditures, further aggravated by loss of earnings. In conclusion, kidney transplantation is associated with patients' impoverishment when they lack social protection in health. A protection system is urgently needed for this group.

Viviendo con trasplante renal, sin protección social en salud: ¿Qué dicen los enfermos sobre las dificultades económicas que enfrentan y sus efectos? / Kidney transplant patients without social protection in health: what do patients say about the economic hardships and impact? / Viver com transplante renal sem proteção social em saúde: o que os pacientes dizem sobre as dificuldades econômicas e os seus efeitos?

El trasplante es el mejor tratamiento para la insuficiencia renal, de acuerdo con la biomedicina; sin embargo, es una tecnología cara. Este artículo examina las dificultades económicas y sus efectos en personas con trasplante renal, pero sin protección social en salud. Para el estudio se desarrolló una investigación cualitativa en México. Participaron 21 pacientes trasplantados; se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, y se realizó un análisis de contenido. Los resultados muestran que las personas enfermas enfrentan dificultades económicas, debido a los costes de las terapias renales, particularmente, de las medicinas. Todo ello tiene efectos negativos: las personas con pocos recursos dejan el tratamiento con medicamentos, abandonan el protocolo, no asisten a las consultas médicas y disminuyen los gastos domésticos, incluyendo el de alimentación; además de suponer una merma en los ingresos familiares. En conclusión, el trasplante renal empobrece a las personas enfermas sin protección social en salud; es urgente la implementación de un sistema de protección social para esta población.

Kidney transplant is the optimal treatment for renal disease according to biomedical criteria, but the technology is highly expensive. The aim of this article was to examine the economic hardships experienced by kidney transplant patients and the impact on their lives, specifically when they lack social protection in health. The article reports on a qualitative study conducted in Mexico. Twenty-one kidney transplant patients participated. Semi-structured interviews were performed and submitted to content analysis. Patients experience extreme economic hardship due to the high cost of renal therapies, particularly medicines. Such economic problems adversely affect their condition, since many patients report difficulties in maintaining their immunosuppressant medication, attending medical appointments, and curtailing household expenditures, further aggravated by loss of earnings. In conclusion, kidney transplantation is associated with patients’ impoverishment when they lack social protection in health. A protection system is urgently needed for this group.

O transplante é o melhor tratamento para a insuficiência renal de acordo com a biomedicina; mas é uma tecnologia cara. Este artigo examina as dificuldades econômicas e os seus efeitos em pessoas com transplante renal, mas sem proteção social em saúde. Uma pesquisa qualitativa foi desenvolvida no México. Participaram 21 doentes transplantados; aplicaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, e foi realizada análise de conteúdo. Os resultados mostram que as pessoas doentes enfrentam dificuldades econômicas devido aos custos das terapias renais, particularmente das medicinas. Tudo isso tem efeitos negativos: as pessoas com poucos recursos abandonam o tratamento medicamentoso, deixam o protocolo, não comparecem às consultas médicas e diminuem as despensas domésticas, incluindo a comida; além da perda de ingressos. Em conclusão, o transplante renal empobrece as pessoas doentes sem proteção social em saúde; é urgente a implementação de um sistema de proteção social a esta população.

Investigación cualitativa en salud: una revisión crítica de la producción bibliográfica en México / Qualitative health research: a critical review of recent work in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Examinar críticamente la producción bibliográfica sobre la investigación cualitativa en salud (ICS) en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión de 128 trabajos publicados en la década del 2000 al 2009. Su búsqueda y recuperación se hizo mediante consulta de índices, buscadores y bases de datos, así como consultando a académicos. Se hizo análisis de frecuencias y de contenido. RESULTADOS: La producción en este campo se incrementa notoriamente en el periodo analizado, se difunde a nivel nacional e internacional y aparece mayoritariamente en revistas de salud pública y medicina social. Su consolidación, no obstante, dista de ser realidad dada su concentración institucional, territorial y temática, su dependencia de la teoría fundamentada, su olvido de temas sanitarios y actores importantes y su impacto marginal en el campo científico. CONCLUSIONES: La investigación cualitativa en salud logra avances en México pero enfrenta serios desafíos para consolidarse. Varias propuestas se presentan para fortalecerla.

OBJECTIVE: This paper critically examines recent work on qualitative health research (QHR) in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was conducted of 128 articles published between 2000 and 2009. A literature search was done drawing together a verse of indexes, search engine, data bases and citations, as well as interviewing researchers. A frequency and content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: QHR has expanded significantly, both nationally and internationally, and papers published in public health and social medicine journals. However, several factors impede its consolidation: the institutional, territorial and thematic concentration of studies, the dependency on grounded theory, the selective nature of the research topics and populations; and its marginal scientific impact. CONCLUSIONS: QHR has grown in México, but its consolidation faces serious challenges. Several proposals are discussed that could strengthen the field.

[Qualitative health research: a critical review of recent work in Mexico]. / Investigación cualitativa en salud: una revisión crítica de la producción bibliográfica en México.

OBJECTIVE: This paper critically examines recent work on qualitative health research (QHR) in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was conducted of 128 articles published between 2000 and 2009. A literature search was done drawing together a verse of indexes, search engine, data bases and citations, as well as interviewing researchers. A frequency and content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: QHR has expanded significantly, both nationally and internationally, and papers published in public health and social medicine journals. However, several factors impede its consolidation: the institutional, territorial and thematic concentration of studies, the dependency on grounded theory, the selective nature of the research topics and populations; and its marginal scientific impact. CONCLUSIONS: QHR has grown in México, but its consolidation faces serious challenges. Several proposals are discussed that could strengthen the field.

El caso radiológico / Radiologic case

Hombre de 57 años de edad que consulta para una revisión médica y examen de próstata. El médico lo remite a estudio ecográfico de la pelvis por masa en la fosa ilíaca derecha. Los exámenes de orina, cuadro hemático y leucograma son normales. El antígeno prostático de 1.4 ng/ml es normal