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La propagación de discursos de odio a través de las redes sociales contribuye a intoxicar la esfera pública y a mermar la calidad de las democracias liberales. Este tipo de discursos es singularmente virulento contra la clase política y contra el feminismo. Partiendo de esta realidad, la presente investigación tratará de delimitar el sesgo de género en el discurso de odio en el ámbito político. ¿Reciben las mujeres políticas más agresiones verbales que sus homólogos varones, no por su condición de políticas, sino por su condición de mujeres? ¿Concentran las mujeres políticas más polaridad emocional que los hombres en las menciones que reciben en Twitter? A través del análisis del discurso operado con técnicas de PLN para la de detección de las emociones y de la minería de texto sobre un corpus de 3.483.232 de tuits recolectados de 20 cuentas de políticos españoles, se confirma que los mensajes que reciben las mujeres políticas concentran mayor polaridad emocional que los de los hombres, pero no más odio, que es un poco superior en los hombres. También se confirma que las expresiones sexistas y misóginas son empleadas para denigrar a las mujeres y, por extensión, al feminismo, lo que convierte al discurso del odio en un tipo de desorden informativo.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a deadly, incurable malignancy in which antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) become neoplastic. Previous studies have shown that the PC niche plays a role cancer progression. Bone marrow (BM) cores from MM and a premalignant condition known as monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) patients were analyzed with confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The BM aspirates from these patients were used to generate 3D PC cultures. These in vitro cultures were then assayed for the molecular, cellular, and ultrastructural hallmarks of dysfunctional PC at days 1 and 5. In vivo, evidence of PC endoplasmic reticulum stress was found in both MM and MGUS BM; however, evidence of PC autophagy was found only in MM BM. Analysis of in vitro cultures found that MM PC can survive and maintain a differentiated phenotype over an unprecedented 5 days, had higher levels of paraprotein production when compared to MGUS-derived cultures, and showed evidence of PC autophagy as well. Increased fibronectin deposition around PC associated with disease severity and autophagy dysregulation was also observed. 3D cultures constructed from BM aspirates from MGUS and MM patients allow for long-term culture of functional PC while maintaining their distinct morphological phenotypes.

Fundamentos: El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la relación existente en la red social Twitter en español entre trombos y vacunas anticovid. Métodos: Se utilizaron técnicas de machine learning y análisis estadístico masivo para la determinación de redes sociales formadas, sus relaciones, análisis de sentimientos y emociones y discursos principales por minería de texto durante cuatro meses. Para ello se recogieron 915.825 mensajes que hablaran de trombosis a lo largo de los cuatro primeros meses del año 2021. Resultados: Se encontró un aumento muy destacado de mensajes alrededor desde mediados de marzo e incrementándose fuertemente a principios de abril, coincidiendo con los casos detectados y suspensiones temporales de ciertas vacunas en Estados Unidos y Europa. El principal de mensajes procede de España, aunque México centra el debate en Latinoamérica. Conclusiones: Se pudieron determinar un aumento de mensajes de alta carga emocional, principalmente negativa, así como mensajes desinformativos y conspirativos especialmente desde unos grupos sin referentes significativos. Los difusores de noticias de desinformación sobre vacunas son enviados por pequeñas cuentas nano-influencers o cuentas falsas utilizando posibles técnicas astroturfing.

This article is focused on the reproduction of ideologically charged messages whose origins or interests remain hidden from public opinion. There is an urgent need for transparency regarding polarised debates that deform, impede or distort the critical approach that any society should be able to construct concerning issues of great social interest, especially on social media platforms and networks. Research has shown that hostility has colonised digital communication through misogynist, homophobic, transphobic or xenophobic messages, among others, and that, for the most part, these are not spontaneous or individual interactions. In the virtual space, there are forces that, although invisible outside it, construct narratives, generate disinformation and feed generally regressive ideological approaches. Thus, in the name of transparency and social justice, there is an urgent need to investigate these types of messages, as well as their possible destabilising interests at a time of special presence and reputation of discourses such as the feminist one, which is currently experiencing a significant reactionary response. This paper investigates the origin and characteristics of the conversation on the social network Twitter concerning gender and sexual identities. To this end, we studied a significant sample of tweets (>1 million) related to women’s rights, the LGBTIQ+ collective and trans people, for a full year. Computerised methodologies by means of machine learning techniques, natural language processing (NLP), determination of bots, geolocation, and the application of network theories were used to carry out the study. The results include the highly interrelated presence of groups without clear referents, as well as the existence of what appear to be coordinated networks aimed at causing harm and provoking confrontation.

The announcement of the State of Alarm in Spain in March 2020 brought with it a period of great information intensity in traditional and digital media. The extraordinary nature of the measure, which provided the Government with exceptional measures to confront the Covid-19 pandemic, gave rise to a tremendously polarized scenario. In this context, some webs known for the dissemination of disinformation campaigns and, even, the promotion of ideas closes to the alt-right, were especially active in networks promoting the dissemination of ideological content with the aim of capturing traffic for subsequent monetization through advertising. This work follows the activity around of two of these webs on Twitter, Caso Aislado and Periodista Digital, with the intention of determinate their role in the political polarization. For more than two months, more than 100,000 tweets were captured, stored and studied using R software and various analysis algorithms to determine their social activity, the possible presence or not of bots or automated profiles, the nature of the content and the emotional charge associated with it. There is an intense organized activity around both portals through a high percentage of apparently automated accounts and the support of influencers profiles. Although with differences inherent around each web, it is possible to glimpse an intentional coordination through campaigns that combine content, use of support accounts and automations. La proclamación del Estado de Alarma en España en marzo de 2020 trajo consigo un periodo de gran intensidad informativa en medios tradicionales y digitales. Lo extraordinario de la medida, que dotaba de medidas excepcionales al Ejecutivo para hacer frente a la pandemia de Covid-19, dio lugar a un escenario tremendamente polarizado. En este contexto, diversos portales conocidos por la difusión de campañas de desinformación e, incluso, promoción de ideas simpatizantes con la extrema derecha, fueron especialmente activos en redes promoviendo la difusión de contenido ideológico con el objetivo de captar tráfico para su posterior monetización mediante publicidad. Este trabajo hace el seguimiento de la actividad alrededor de dos portales en Twitter, Caso Aislado y Periodista Digital, con la intención de arrojar luz sobre su papel en el clima de polarización política. Durante más de dos meses, se captaron, almacenaron y estudiaron más de 100.000 tweets mediante el software R y diversos algoritmos para dilucidar la actividad social, la posible existencia o no de bots o perfiles automatizados, la naturaleza del contenido vertido y la carga emocional asociada a él. Se comprueba una intensa actividad organizada alrededor de ambos portales a través de un alto porcentaje de cuentas aparentemente automatizadas y el apoyo de perfiles influencers que ejercen como redifusores de alta potencia. Aunque con diferencias propias de cada medio, es posible entrever una coordinación intencionada a través de campañas que aúnan contenidos, uso de cuentas de apoyo y automatizaciones.

O objetivo do trabalho é estimar a utilização do astroturfing, como estratégia para promover debates políticos em Espanha, por meio do Twitter. Um total de 89.528 twits associados ao debate gerado em torno das férias do primeiro vice-presidente e da ministra da igualdade do governo da Espanha, Pablo Iglesias e Irene Montero, são coletados e analisados entre 14 e 20 de agosto de 2020. O caso estudado permite ver um cenário político não eleitoral onde mensagens baseadas em astroturfing e nanoinfluenciadores são expostas, capazes de distribuir, amplificar e inundar redes sociais, como o Twitter, com conteúdo desinformativo e confrontacional.

This work aims to establish whether astroturfing was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to manipulate Spanish public opinion through Twitter. This study analyzes tweets published in Spanish and geolocated in the Philippines, and its first objective is to determine the existence of an organized network that directs its messages mainly towards Spain. To determine the non-existence of a random network, a preliminary collection of 1,496,596 tweets was carried out. After determining its 14 main clusters, 280 users with a medium-low profile of participation and micro- and nano-influencer traits were randomly selected and followed for 103 days, for a total of 309,947 tweets. Network science, text mining, sentiment and emotion, and bot probability analyses were performed using Gephi and R. Their network structure suggests an ultra-small-world phenomenon, which would determine the existence of a possible organized network that tries not to be easily identifiable. The data analyzed confirm a digital communication scenario in which astroturfing is used as a strategy aimed at manipulating public opinion through non-influencers (cybertroops). These users create and disseminate content with proximity and closeness to different groups of public opinion, mixing topics of general interest with disinformation or polarized content.

The introduction of new and changing technologies has led to changes in all areas of society, and the world of work is no exception. This had created a need for an analysis and reformulation of habits and actions related to workplace health and safety. “Technostress” has emerged as one of the risks associated with the increasing use of information and communication technologies. The aim of this work is to analyze the effectiveness of positive psychosocial interventions aimed at technostress management. To do this, the two concepts are analyzed via a case study. The study begins with an assessment of technostress among the management staff of a service company. Based on the results of this initial assessment, a range of ongoing Positive Psychology interventions were designed and implemented. It is concluded that Positive Organizational Psychology can be an effective tool for technostress management. The main constraints of this work would be associated with the size of the sample, which does not allow the generalization of the results. Nonetheless, it opens a door to a new research paradigm to delve deeper into the issue of technostress management from the field of Positive Psychology, which a connection that to date has received scant theoretical attention.

El trabajo tiene como objetivos estimar el uso del astroturfing, como estrategia de promoción de debates políticos en España, a través de Twitter. Se recopilan y analizan un total de 89.528 tuits asociados al debate generado alrededor de las vacaciones del vicepresidente primero y ministra de igualdad del gobierno de España, Pablo Iglesias e Irene Montero, entre el 14 y el 20 de agosto de 2020. El caso estudiado permite ver un escenario político no electoral donde se expone mensajes basados en el astroturfing, y nano-influencers, capaces distribuir, amplificar e inundar redes sociales como Twitter, con contenido desinformativo y confrontativo. O objetivo do trabalho é estimar a utilização do astroturfing, como estratégia para promover debates políticos em Espanha, por meio do Twitter. Um total de 89.528 twits associados ao debate gerado em torno das férias do primeiro vice-presidente e da ministra da igualdade do governo da Espanha, Pablo Iglesias e Irene Montero, são coletados e analisados entre 14 e 20 de agosto de 2020. O caso estudado permite ver um cenário político não eleitoral onde mensagens baseadas em astroturfing e nanoinfluenciadores são expostas, capazes de distribuir, amplificar e inundar redes sociais, como o Twitter, com conteúdo desinformativo e confrontacional. The objective of the work is to estimate the use of astroturfing as a strategy to promote political debates in Spain through Twitter. A total of 89,528 twits associated with the discussion generated around the holidays of the First Vice President and the Minister of Equality of the Government of Spain, Pablo Iglesias, and Irene Montero, are collected and analyzed between August 14 and 20, 2020. The case studied allows seeing a non-electoral political scenario based on astroturfing and nano-influencers capable of distributing, amplifying, and flooding social networks such as Twitter, disinformative and confrontational content. L’objectif du travail est d’estimer l’utilisation de l’astroturfing comme stratégie pour promouvoir les débats politiques en Espagne via Twitter. Un total de 89.528 twits associés à la discussion générée pendant les vacances du premier vice-président et de lá ministre de l’égalité du gouvernement espagnol, Pablo Iglesias et Irene Montero, sont collectés et analysés entre le 14 et le 20 août 2020. Le cas étudié permet de voir un scénario politique non électoral basé sur l’astroturfing et les nano-influenceurs capables de diffuser, d’amplifier et d’inonder les réseaux sociaux tels que Twitter, des contenus désinformatifs et conflictuels. aceite

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genes that are associated with the development of certain autoimmune disorders, but the MHC haplotypes still represent the most prevalent genetic risk factor for many autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms by which MHC-associated genetic susceptibility translates into B cell autoimmunity and the development of autoimmune diseases are complex. There is increasing evidence that the MHC haplotype modulates autoreactive B cell responses in multiple ways. Instead of merely inhibiting the production of IgG autoantibodies and mediating complete immunological tolerance, the non-permitting MHC haplotypes seem to facilitate the production of IgG autoantibodies exhibiting Fc glycosylation patterns that are associated with reduced pathogenicity and a protective cytokine profile of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Here, we discuss mechanisms linking MHC haplotypes to the production of pathogenic IgG autoantibodies, which could be relevant for the development of improved diagnosis, particularly in the context of individual medicine.

Introduction: Heat-labile enterotoxins (HLTs) and their cognate ganglioside receptors have been extensively studied because of their therapeutic potential. Gangliosides play arole in modulating eff...

The aim of this paper is to analyze the interrelationships between the burnout and different psychosocial variables to which the grassroots football referee is exposed, in particular, associated with the influence of the environment and the level of verbal and physical aggression. To this end, a questionnaire was developed, consisting of items from the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey(MBI-GS) and various self-constructed items designed to find out these psychosocial variables. First, a study of the structure of the form was carried out. Second, a structural equation model was designed in order to test the causal relationship between the variables under consideration. The results obtained point to the validity of the proposed theoretical model. It is recommended to initiate training programs for this group aimed at strengthening personal coping and social support strategies, which can help minimize the evolution of this syndrome.

Acinetobacter baumannii has been recognized as a critical pathogen that causes severe infections worldwide not only because of the emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) derivatives, but also because of its ability to persist in medical environments and colonize compromised patients. While there are numerous reports describing the mechanisms by which this pathogen acquires resistance genes, little is known regarding A. baumannii’s virulence functions associated with rare manifestations of infection such as necrotizing fasciitis, making the determination and implementation of alternative therapeutic targets problematic. To address this knowledge gap, this report describes the analysis of the NFAb-1 and NFAb-2 XDR isolates, which were obtained at two time points during a fatal case of necrotizing fasciitis, at the genomic and functional levels. The comparative genomic analysis of these isolates with the ATCC 19606T and ATCC 17978 strains showed that the NFAb-1 and NFAb-2 isolates are genetically different from each other as well as different from the ATCC 19606T and ATCC 17978 clinical isolates. These genomic differences could be reflected in phenotypic differences observed in these NFAb isolates. Biofilm, cell viability and flow cytometry assays indicate that all tested strains caused significant decreases in A549 human alveolar epithelial cell viability with ATCC 17978, NFAb-1 and NFAb-2 producing significantly less biofilm and significantly more hemolysis and capacity for intracellular invasion than ATCC 19606T. NFAb-1 and NFAb-2 also demonstrated negligible surface motility but significant twitching motility compared to ATCC 19606T and ATCC 17978, likely due to the presence of pili exceeding 2 µm in length, which are significantly longer and different from those previously described in the ATCC 19606T and ATCC 17978 strains. Interestingly, infection with cells of the NFAb-1 isolate, which were obtained from a premortem blood sample, lead to significantly higher mortality rates than NFAb-2 bacteria, which were obtained from postmortem tissue samples, when tested using the Galleria mellonella in vivo infection model. These observations suggest potential changes in the virulence phenotype of the A. baumannii necrotizing fasciitis isolates over the course of infection by mechanisms and cell processes that remain to be identified.

The use of Twitter by newspapers is widespread and is a way to keep readers informed in real time. In this article, we analyze the discourse of the messages released by the ten main general information newspapers in Spain and the reactions they provoked on the social network. The objective is to analyze whether the emotional discourse of the news in each newspaper caused greater dissemination among and attention from users, as well as to determine the emotions and feelings expressed by them. To do so, news about important events such as court judgements, street riots, and general elections was followed between October and November 2019. A total of 124,897 tweets collected using machine-learning techniques were analyzed by the application of algorithms which allowed the determination of emotions and valences of feelings. We carried out statistical studies and produced graphs showing the dependence between emotional variables and positive or negative sentimental valence. The results showed that, in general, newspapers do not use an excessive amount of emotional speech with the aim of impacting their public. However, differences were found among the newspapers in terms of trying to encourage reader loyalty. The reaction of the users was more linked to the informative facts themselves and the emotions they provoked than to the type of emotional and/or polarized discourse. The day-to-day information determines to a large extent what is consumed by Twitter users, in which changing modes of speech are observed depending on the editorial line of each newspaper. Resumen El uso de Twitter por parte de los diarios de información está muy extendido y es una forma de tener a sus lectores informados casi en tiempo real. En este artículo analizamos el discurso de los mensajes vertidos por los diez principales diarios de información general en España y las reacciones que provocan en la red social. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar si es el discurso emocional de las noticias de cada diario el que provoca mayor difusión y atención por parte de los usuarios, así como conocer las emociones y sentimientos vertidos temporalmente en los mismos. Para ello se hizo un seguimiento entre octubre y noviembre de 2019 de noticias que incluyen acontecimientos importantes como sentencias, altercados o la celebración de elecciones generales. Mediante el empleo de técnicas de machine learning se analizaron con la aplicación de algoritmos 124.897 tweets, lo que permitió determinar las emociones y valencias, así como desarrollar estudios estadísticos y gráficos de dependencia entre variables emocionales y de valencia sentimental positiva o negativa. Los resultados evidencian que en general, no se emplean excesivos discursos emocionales que busquen impactar. Sin embargo, sí que se aprecian diferencias de uso emocional y de sentimientos entre los diarios que pretenden la fidelización del lector. Por contra se encuentra que la reacción de los usuarios está más ligada al hecho informativo en sí y a las emociones que les provocan, que al tipo de discurso emocional y/o polarizado. El día a día informativo determina en gran medida qué se consume por parte de los usuarios de la red social, en la que se aprecian discursos cambiantes en función de la línea editorial de cada diario.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by development of granulomas in the affected organs. Sarcoidosis is often a diagnosis of exclusion, and traditionally used tests for sarcoidosis demonstrate low sensitivity and specificity. We propose that accuracy of diagnosis can be improved if biomarkers of altered lymphocyte populations and levels of signaling molecules involved in disease pathogenesis are measured for patterns suggestive of sarcoidosis. These distinctive biomarkers can also be used to determine disease progression, predict prognosis, and make treatment decisions. Many subsets of T lymphocytes, including CD8+ T-cells and regulatory T-cells, have been shown to be dysfunctional in sarcoidosis, and the predominant CD4+ T helper cell subset in granulomas appears to be a strong indicator of disease phenotype and outcome. Studies of altered B cell populations, B cell signaling molecules, and immune complexes in sarcoidosis patients reveal promising biomarkers as well as possible explanations of disease etiology. Furthermore, examined biomarkers raise questions about new treatment methods and sarcoidosis antigens.

La accidentalidad laboral y su prevención son aspectos que han entrado en el día a día de las empresas ante un grave problema humano, social y económico. Los medios de comunicación tradicionalmente han primado la fatalidad del accidente, principalmente mortal. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar como los periódicos nativos digitales abordan el tema. Metodología. Para realizar el análisis se han tomado las inserciones periodísticas relativas a la accidentalidad laboral y su prevención durante dos años y siete meses en cinco de los principales diarios digitales. Posteriormente se han estudiado haciendo uso de la metodología de framing a través de técnicas estadísticas de minería de texto. Resultados y conclusiones. Se evidencia una reacción reactiva de los medios digitales ante la accidentalidad laboral, al igual que la prensa en papel, aunque se aprecian diferencias importantes en el tratamiento de la temática en función de la línea de cada diario.

Animado por la revolución tecnológica, política, social y periodística de la web 2.0, el fenómeno de las noticias falsas ha irrumpido en la agenda mediática de la mano de la victoria de Trump en Estados Unidos y la polémica campaña del Brexit en Reino Unido. Largamente discutido por sus efectos en el panorama político y electoral, el espectro de las fakes news va mucho más allá de las campañas de propaganda y está promovido, además, por los cambios en el consumo y la distribución de las noticias y, sobre todo, en la monetización digital. Este artículo analiza, con el apoyo de técnicas de big data, la diseminación a través de Twitter de una noticia falsa de corte social -el caso de Curro, el perro “condenado”-, así como el comportamiento de los principales perfiles que la compartieron durante la semana de Navidad de 2018 con el fin de observar cómo se difunde y viraliza una noticia falsa, incluso de forma artificial. La investigación ahonda también en el comportamiento de la comunidad digital y de los contenidos con el fin de identificar dinámicas de coordinación y conductas relacionadas con los marcos de referencia y prejuicios preexistentes.

Sarcoidosis has been a disease of puzzling occurrence and clinical course. Multiple immunological markers have been noted to be altered within sarcoidosis, however there is variable consistency among these reports. Previous studies have shown sarcoidosis to be a primary T cell-mediated disease, yet new data concerning B cell and mycobacterial involvement have been brought to light. The possibility of a uniform biomarker to characterize sarcoidosis presence, severity and prognosis greatly increases the movement towards directed and specialized treatment for this rare disease.

After arising of anti-vaccine groups and their dissemination, it is necessary to carry out communication campaigns on the benefits of vaccination aimed at citizens, and social networks are a good way to reach a large population. The objective of this article is to determine the communication on Twitter social network during the influenza vaccine campaign in 2018 in Spain.Big data methods were used to collect all tweets about the influenza vaccine during October 23 to December 15. They were determined by cluster analysis, eigenvector and pagerank calculations to determinate who were the most important influencers during the campaign.A total of 9,147 tweets were collected, of which 71.94% were retweets (RT). Ten groups generated 69.92% of the message traffic on vaccines. The main emotion expressed in the messages about vaccines is the fear of consequences if people do not get vaccinated.It was determined that the information on the campaign is favorable to vaccination but is mainly directed by (supposedly) doctors, nurses or anonymous patients who tweet and are followed by many users. The official and institutional campaigns, some of which are re-disseminated in a possibly organized way, are very neglected in the monitoring of society in the networks.Tras la aparición y difusión de los grupos anti-vacunas, se hace necesario realizar campañas de comunicación orientadas a la ciudadanía sobre los beneficios de la vacunación, y las redes sociales son una buena vía para alcanzar a una gran cantidad de población. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar la comunicación en la red social Twitter durante la campaña de la vacuna de la gripe en el año 2018.Se emplearon métodos de big data para recoger la totalidad de tuits sobre la vacuna de la gripe del 23 de octubre al 15 de diciembre de 2018. Se determinaron por análisis de cluster y los cálculos del eigenvector y pagerank quiénes fueron los usuarios o influencers más importantes durante la campaña.Se recogieron un total de 9.147 tuits, de los cuales el 71,94% fueron retuits (RT) o reenvíos de lo que escriben otros usuarios. Diez grupos generaron el 69,92% del tráfico de los mensajes sobre vacunas. La emoción principal vertida en los mensajes sobre vacunas fue el miedo a las consecuencias si la gente no se vacunara.Se determina que la información sobre la campaña es favorable a la vacunación pero está dirigida principalmente por (supuestamente) médicos, enfermeras o enfermos anónimos que tuitean y son muy seguidos por multitud de usuarios. Las campañas oficiales e institucionales, siendo algunas de ellas redifundidas de forma posiblemente organizada, quedan muy relegadas del seguimiento de la sociedad en las redes.

La incorporacion de los documentos denominados Estudio de Seguridad y Salud (ESS) o Estudio Basico de Seguridad y Salud (EBSS) en el ambito de la seguridad del sector de la construccion surgio a partir de la transposicion de las Directivas europeas al ordenamiento juridico espanol mediante el Real Decreto 1627/1997. La relevancia de estos documentos dentro de la mejora de la seguridad y salud de los trabajadores/as es maxima. Por todo ello, constituyen los elementos esenciales y punto de partida para la planificacion preventiva de una obra de construccion. El objetivo de esta investigacion es realizar un estudio sobre la originalidad y adecuacion de estos documentos realizados para obra publica. Para ello se realizo un analisis de plagio mediante el software informatico Turnitin y tecnicas de mineria de texto para su analisis de contenido. De los resultados obtenidos se evidencia un alto porcentaje de plagio y no originalidad, asi como de empleo de lenguaje generico que permite ser empleado en cualquier tipo de obra. Todo ello repercute en la efectividad real de dichos documentos a la hora de gestionar la seguridad y salud de los trabajadores/as. Palabras clave: Construccion, Seguridad, Originalidad, Contratacion publica, Turnitin, Mineria texto

There is an urgent need for development of new adjuvants to target and drive immune responses in cancer immunotherapies. The E. coli type-II heat-labile enterotoxins (HLEs) LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc exhibit strong adjuvant properties with varying capacities to elicit immune responses in mice. The immunomodulatory capabilities of these HLEs depend upon their interactions with specific ganglioside receptors that may vary in expression across immune cell types. Little is known, however, about the lymphoid cells that interact with HLEs in humans. To bridge this gap, human normal PBMCs, isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, were stained with recombinant B subunits of LT-IIa, LT-IIb, or LT-IIc, and mAbs to CD4, CD8, CD19, CD27, CD38 and CD45RO. Using FACS analysis, we found that LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc increasingly bound to CD4+ T cells as the cells transitioned from naive (CD4+CD45RO-CD27+) to memory (CD4+CD45RO+CD27+) cells and from memory cells to effector memory (CD4+CD45RO+CD27-) cells, with LT-IIb exhibiting the most significant increase in binding. Likewise, LT-IIb and LT-IIc increasingly bound to CD8+ T cells as the cells transitioned from naive (CD8+CD45RO-CD27+) to memory (CD8+CD45RO+CD27+) cells and from memory cells to effector memory (CD8+CD45RO+CD27-) cells, with the greatest increase observed for LT-IIb. No major changes in LT-IIa binding were detected during CD8+ T cell differentiation. Finally, LT-IIa and LT-IIc increasingly bound to CD19+ B cells as the cells transitioned from naive (CD19+CD27-) to memory (CD19+CD27+) cells and from memory cells to antibody-secreting (CD19+/-CD27++CD38++) plasma cells, with LT-IIa exhibiting the most significantly increased binding activity. No major changes in LT-IIb binding were observed during B cell differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that the ganglioside receptors for HLEs (e.g., GD1a, GD1b and GM1) are differentially expressed throughout B and T cell development/differentiation and that binding of HLEs to the various lymphocyte subsets is likely to elicit distinct cellular events associated with immune modulation or immune responsiveness. Understanding of these HLE binding patterns may also prove useful in targeting additional immunomodulating drugs to specific T or B cell subpopulations. Ultimately, characterization of immunological responses to these enterotoxins will lead to a greater understanding of their potential use in targeted cancer immunotherapies for treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Citation Format: Mary-Peyton A. Knapp, Taylor A. Johnson, Madison K. Ritter, Robert O. Rainer, Steven E. Fiester, Jennifer T. Grier, Terry D. Connell, Sergio Arce. Differential binding of E. coli enterotoxins LT-IIa, LT-IIb and LT-IIc to human B and T cell subsets identifies a potential use as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Virtual Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2020 Oct 19-20. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2021;9(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PO024.

Objectives Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a potentially severe complication of COVID-19 most commonly resulting in respiratory failure. This ten-patient study was designed to determine the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in improving oxygenation and in reducing the cytokine load in a critically ill subset of patients. Methods Five single volume plasma exchanges over eight days within a 14-day study period. In mechanically ventilated patients, oxygenation was measured via the PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio and the oxygenation index (OI) daily for 14 days. Supplemental oxygen requirements were tracked daily for non-ventilated patients. Results Non-ventilated patients were liberated from supplemental oxygen after TPE. The response was rapid with an 87% average reduction in oxygenation requirements following and average time to return to room air of 5.25 days. All mechanically ventilated patients demonstrated improvement in oxygenation with a 78% average improvement in the P/F ratio and a 43% improvement in OI. C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα, IFNγ and GM-CSF, were measured daily with immediate post TPE levels drawn on days 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. All patients demonstrated significant reductions in CRP, IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα. Conclusions In the majority of patients with Penn class 3 and 4 CRS complicating COVID-19, TPE demonstrated a prompt improvement in oxygenation and reduction in cytokine load without compromising patient safety. As this pilot study was envisioned to be hypothesis generating, expanded trials using TPE alone and in conjunction with novel pharmacologic agents are warranted. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04374149., Highlights • Plasmapheresis can effectively reduce injurious cytokines that complicate COVID-19. • Plasmapheresis can produce clinically meaningful improvement in oxygenation. • Plasmapheresis can be safely used as a treatment for COVID-19 cytokine storm.

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that play important regulatory roles in cell signaling. Their patterns of expression during human lymphoid cell development and differentiation, however are not not known. Here, we used the ganglioside-binding B subunits of E. coli enterotoxins (LT-IIa-B, LT-IIb-B and LT-IIc-B) as molecular probes to dissect the membrane ganglioside composition of human CD8+ T cells and NK cells, two important players in the anti-tumor response. Human normal PBMC isolated from leukoreduction filters by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation were stained with recombinant LT-IIa-B, LT-IIb-B or LT-IIc-B, and with monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD27, CD62L, CD45RA, CD45RO and CD56. Using FACS analysis, we found that ganglioside ligands for LT-IIb-B (avidity: GD1a>GT1b>GM2/GM3) and LT-IIc-B (avidity: GM1>GM2 >GM3/GD1a) were increasingly expressed during transitions from naïve T cells, either (CD8+CD45RA+CD62L+) or (CD8+CD45RO-CD27+), to memory T cells of both central memory (CD8+CD45RA-CD62L+) and effector memory (CD8+CD45RA-CD62L-) phenotypes and from memory T cells (CD8+CD45RO+CD27+) to terminally differentiated effector memory (CD8+CD45RO+CD27-) T cells, with expression of ganglioside ligands for LT-IIb-B exhibiting the most significant increase. Patterns of ganglioside expression in the NK cell subsets were remarkably similar to those observed in the CD8+ T cell subsets: Ganglioside ligands for LT-IIb-B and LT-IIc-B were increasingly expressed during transitions from circulating naïve (CD16dimCD56bright) to effector (CD16+CD56dim) NK cells and from effector NK cells to activated mature (CD16+CD56-) NK cells, with expression of ganglioside ligands for LT-IIb-B exhibiting the most significant increase. No major changes in expression of ganglioside ligands for LT-IIa-B (avidity: GD1b>GM1>GT1b) were detected across either CD8+ T cell or NK cell populations. Taken together these results demonstrate dynamic changes in the patterns of ganglioside expression throughout CD8+ T cell and NK cell differentiation. The unique and shared pattern suggests the existence of cell signaling similarities during development and function of these distinct cell types, and this relationship could prove invaluable in the development of novel cancer immunotherapies. Citation Format: Madison K. Ritter, Mary-Peyton A. Knapp, Taylor A. Johnson, Natalie D. King-Lyons, Lorrie Mandell, Jennifer T. Grier, Terry D. Connell, Sergio Arce. Dynamic changes in patterns of ganglioside expression characterize maturation of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells into effector cells and suggest a close relationship between the two cell types [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4525.

Un Estudio de Seguridad y Salud (ESS) o un Estudio Basico de Seguridad y Salud (EBSS) es un documento donde se definen las directrices necesarias para integrar la prevencion de riesgos laborales en las obras de construccion, debiendo ser por tanto documentos fiables, especificos y actualizados.

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids that play important regulatory roles in cell signaling and differentiation. To investigate their expression patterns during lymphoid cell development, human PBMC were stained with recombinant B subunits of LT-IIa, LT-IIb, or LT-IIc and with select mAb. FACS analysis showed that ganglioside ligands for LT-IIaB, LT-IIbB, and LT-IIcB were increasingly expressed during transition from naïve to memory to effector memory CD4+ T cells, with ganglioside ligands for LT-IIbB exhibiting the greatest increase. A similar trend was observed in CD8+ T cell subsets, except no major changes in the expression of LT-IIaB ligands were detected. Patterns of ganglioside expression in NK cell subsets were remarkably similar to those observed in the CD8+ T cells: The ganglioside ligands for LT-IIbB and LT-IIcB were increasingly expressed during transition from tissue-resident to effector to differentiated/exhausted NK cells, with ganglioside ligands for LT-IIbB exhibiting the greatest increase and ligands for LT-IIaB showing little change across subsets. Finally, expression of LT-IIaB- and LT-IIcB-binding gangliosides increased during transition from naïve to memory to antibody-secreting B cells, with ganglioside ligands for LT-IIaB exhibiting the greatest increase and ligands for LT-IIbB showing little change across subsets. Our results demonstrated the existence of dynamic changes in the patterns of gangliosides expressed throughout lymphoid cell development and differentiation. The distinct patterns suggest the existence of cell signaling differences between and within the distinct lymphoid cell lineages and a close developmental and functional relationship between CD8+ T cells and NK cells.

The initial antigenic activation of T cells involves localization of the T-cell receptor to lipid rafts, of which gangliosides are major components. To understand the role of lipid rafts in the activation and differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, it is necessary to dissect the ganglioside composition in each respective T-cell subset. In the present study, we used the B subunits of type-II heat-labile enterotoxins (LT-IIa-B5, LT-IIb-B5 and LT-IIc-B5), which possess defined ganglioside-binding specificities, as molecular probes to dissect the membrane ganglioside composition of human T cell subsets. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from leukocyte reduction filters by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation were stained with recombinant LT-IIa-B5, LT-IIb-B5, mutant LT-IIb-B5(T13I) or LT-IIc-B5 and with monoclonal antibodies to CD4, CD8, CD27, CD45RA, CD45RO and CD62L followed by flow cytometric analysis. Our results show that ligands for LT-IIa (gangliosides GD1b, GM1, and GT-1b), LT-IIb (gangliosides GD1a, GT1b and GM2), and LT-IIc (gangliosides GM1, GM2, and GM3) are increasingly expressed during differentiation from naïve (CD4+ or CD8+CD45RO-CD27+) to memory (CD4+ or CD8+CD45RO+CD27+) T cells, and that discrete subsets of central memory (CD4+ or CD8+CD45RA-CD62L+), effector memory (CD4+ or CD8+CD45RA-CD62L-), and terminally differentiated effector memory (CD4+ or CD8+CD45RO+CD27-) T cells express the highest ganglioside levels, particularly of LT-IIb-ligands. On the other hand, mutant LT-IIb-B5(T13I), which had negligible binding in vitro to gangliosides GD1a, GT1b, and GM2, exhibited no detectable binding to naive or central memory T cells, but significantly bound subsets of terminally differentiated effector memory (CD4+ and CD8+) T cells. Our results suggest an important role for gangliosides GD1b and GM1 in naive T-cell responses, while central memory, effector memory, and terminally differentiated effector memory T-cell responses may be more dependent upon gangliosides GD1a and GT1b. Furthermore, the lymphocyte-binding activities of LT-IIb-B5(T13I) confirm that its parental B-pentameter essentially recognizes gangliosides GD1a, GT1b, and GM2 on T cells and suggest that LT-IIb-B5 (T13I) may bind to one or more unknown receptor(s) expressed on subsets of terminally differentiated effector memory (CD4+ and CD8+) T cells. Citation Format: Taylor A. Johnson, Madison K. Ritter, Mary-Peyton A. Knapp, Robert O. Rainer, Nathalie D. King-Lyons, Terry D. Connell, Sergio Arce. Differentiation of human naive T cells to various effector memory cell subtypes correlates with increased binding of the B subunit of Type-IIb heat-labile enterotoxin (LT-IIb-B5) to its cognate ganglioside receptors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2019 Nov 17-20; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A25.

Las técnicas de análisis del discurso de los medios de comunicación han experimentado una gran evolución gracias a la teoría del framing, pero con el tiempo se ha percibido que el estudio realizado por los investigadores podría presentar una elevada subjetividad. Para solventar este problema, se han desarrollado metodologías de trabajo más objetivas, adaptando técnicas estadísticas para el examen de los marcos o encuadres principales, siendo el análisis de cluster uno de los elementos más significativos. Otras metodologías posteriores, como la minería de texto, llegan a plantear un análisis enteramente realizado a través de algoritmos informáticos, con conocimientos morfológicos de los distintos idiomas. En el presente texto se expone el estado de la cuestión de estas metodologías, sus herramientas más destacadas y los programas informáticos que ayudan en el análisis estadístico del framing con el objetivo de sistematizar las opciones actualmente disponibles para las investigaciones en comunicación. Techniques of discourse analysis in the media have undergone a great evolution thanks to the 'framing' theory, but over time it has been perceived that the researchers' studies could include high levels of subjectivity. To solve this problem, more objective methodologies have been developed, adapting statistical techniques to the examination of the main frames; cluster analysis being one of the most significant elements within these processes. More recent methods, such as text mining, propose the analysis to be entirely done through computer algorithms with morphological knowledge of different languages. This article approaches the state of the art of these methodologies, their most outstanding tools and the computer softwares that help in the statistical analysis of framing, with the aim of systematizing the options that are currently available for communication research.

El estudio de los editoriales de la prensa española –El País, El Mundo y ABC– en un estudio transversal a lo largo de dos décadas revela que estos dedican escasos esfuerzos a la siniestralidad laboral y su prevención. Tras la publicación en 1995 de la Ley de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, la mayor cantidad de editoriales se deriva de graves accidentes en el periodo de máxima siniestralidad en España. Desde 2007, con la crisis económica, los editoriales prácticamente desaparecen, siendo utilizada la prevención como excusa para acusar a sindicatos de desvío de fondos. En el presente artículo, utilizando la metodología del Framing, se determina que, aunque los encuadres principales son coincidentes, el tratamiento es distinto. Mientras ABC y El Mundo acusan a los sindicatos, El País pide más voz para ellos, dando importancia a sectores productivos donde estos son más fuertes como la minería y la industria. The analysis of editorials in the Spanish national press –El País, El Mundo and ABC– over a period of two decades reveals that far too little attention has been paid to accidents and safety at work. After the 1995 law about prevention and safety at work was issued, most editorials were related to fatal injuries in the years with the highest accident rate in Spain. Since 2007, in the context of a serious economic crisis, editorials have practically disappeared, and the topic of prevention has been used as an excuse to accuse trade unions of fund misappropriation. This paper, which uses using ‘Framing’ as its main methodology, proves that, despite coincidence in the main frames, actual treatment is different. While ABC and El Mundo launch accusations against the unions, El País demands a stronger voice for them, privileging the sectors where they are most relevant, such as mining and industry.