Reclaiming human machine nature

Extending and modifying his domain of life by artifact production is one of the main characteristics of humankind. From the first hominid, who used a wood stick or a stone for extending his upper limbs and augmenting his gesture strength, to current systems engineers who used technologies for augmenting human cognition, perception and action, extending human body capabilities remains a big issue. From more than fifty years cybernetics, computer and cognitive sciences have imposed only one reductionist model of human machine systems: cognitive systems. Inspired by philosophy, behaviorist psychology and the information treatment metaphor, the cognitive system paradigm requires a function view and a functional analysis in human systems design process. According that design approach, human have been reduced to his metaphysical and functional properties in a new dualism. Human body requirements have been left to physical ergonomics or "physiology". With multidisciplinary convergence, the issues of "human-machine" systems and "human artifacts" evolve. The loss of biological and social boundaries between human organisms and interactive and informational physical artifact questions the current engineering methods and ergonomic design of cognitive systems. New developpment of human machine systems for intensive care, human space activities or bio-engineering sytems requires grounding human systems design on a renewed epistemological framework for future human systems model and evidence based "bio-engineering". In that context, reclaiming human factors, augmented human and human machine nature is a necessityComment: Published in HCI International 2014, Heraklion : Greece (2014

Inhibition of dedifferentiation in primary mouse hepatocytes in vitro to generate a functional hepatic study model

L'obésité et ses pathologies associées telles que la résistance à l'insuline, le diabète de type 2 et la stéatose hépatique non-alcoolique deviennent des enjeux de santé publique. Le foie est un organe majeur dans le contrôle de l'homéostasie du glucose corporel. À l'heure actuelle, les modèles de lignées cellulaires d'hépatome sont les principaux modèles d'étude in vitro disponibles pour approfondir la physiologie hépatique. Malheureusement, l'expression et les fonctions des protéines dans ces cellules diffèrent de la réalité in vivo. Les hépatocytes primaires représentent une plateforme attractive dans l'étude des maladies métaboliques car ils conservent la plupart des fonctions hépatiques in vivo. Une limitation fondamentale de la culture des hépatocytes primaires de souris correspond au déclin métabolique après leur isolement. En quelques jours, les cellules primaires se dédifférencient en une lignée cellulaire inférieure entraînant une perte des fonctions spécifiques et une modification de l'expression des gènes. Avec ce projet, nous avons étudié les hépatocytes primaires de souris en culture en présence de petites molécules modulant des voies spécifiques liées à la transition épithéliale à mésenchymateuse, un processus conduisant à la dédifférenciation dans les hépatocytes primaires isolés de souris. Nous avons constaté que des petits inhibiteurs chimiques du remodelage du cytosquelette préservaient partiellement l'expression de certains marqueurs hépatiques et épithéliaux tels que l'albumine, la Zonula-1 et l'occludine. De plus, nos résultats ont révélé que les hépatocytes primaires de souris en culture perdaient la réponse à l'insuline mais maintenaient la réponse au glucagon sur la gluconéogenèse bien que les valeurs soient beaucoup plus faibles après 7 jours de culture par rapport au jour 1. L'ensemble de nos résultats suggèrent que la réduction mécanique de la tension via l'inhibition du remodelage du cytosquelette pourrait être une voie à suivre pour générer un modèle in vitro fonctionnel d'hépatocytes primaires de souris à long-terme dans l'étude des maladies métaboliques.Obesity and its related pathologies insulin resistance, type 2 Diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are becoming one of the major health hazards of modern world. The liver is a major organ in the control of body glucose homeostasis. Nowadays, hepatoma cell lines are in vitro study models available to further study liver physiology. Unfortunately, protein expression and functions in these cells differ from the in vivo reality. Primary hepatocytes are an attractive platform in the study of metabolic diseases because they retain most in vivo hepatic functions. A fundamental limitation of the culture of primary mouse hepatocytes is the metabolic decline taking place after isolation in these cells. Within few days isolated primary cells dedifferentiate into an inferior cell lineage losing specific functions and changing gene expression. Here, we studied primary mouse hepatocytes in culture in the presence of small molecules that modulate specific pathways related to epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a process leading to dedifferentiation in isolated primary mouse hepatocytes. We found that small chemical inhibitors of cytoskeletal changes partially preserved the expression of some hepatic and epithelial markers such as albumin, Zonula-1 and occludin. Furthermore, our results revealed that primary mouse hepatocytes in culture lost the response to insulin but maintained the response to glucagon on gluconeogenesis although the values decreased after 7 days in culture compared to day 1. Taken together, our results suggest that reducing mechanical tension by inhibiting cytoskeletal remodeling could be a way to follow to generate a functional in vitro model of long-term primary mouse hepatocytes to study metabolic diseases

Biologie des comportements et écologie

The relationship between the individual and his environment is first felt by his nervous system that conditions his behaviour towards his environment. The main element of human environment is represented by other men. How can one understand the past and present organization of human societies without knowing about the instrument that permits this organization — the human nervous system ? How can one understand the action of man who destroys the biosphere, without knowing the mechanisms that lead to the competitive aggressivity of his behaviour all over the world ? The writer, after having outlined the structure and the integrated functions of the human nervous system, shows how they have led to the construction of physics and technology by concealing the unconscious impulse towards domination at all levels under a humanist argument institutionalizing the principle of the survival of the strongest. He tries to determine how the species can escape this blind pressure of necessity

La nueva escuela: labor educativa, instructiva y aprendizaje desarrollador de los profesionales de enfermería en el ámbito clínico y docente

Resumen La educación es un componente esencial en la profesión de Enfermería; es una función sustantiva del rol enfermero, ya que forma parte del cuidado que este profesional brinda a las personas en los diferentes ámbitos de actuación. El presente trabajo tiene como propósitos reflexionar sobre la necesidad de aproximación entre la labor educativa e instructiva y el aprendizaje desarrollador de los profesionales de Enfermería en el ámbito clínico y docente, unido al contexto histórico, social y cultural que le rodea, para lograr una preparación de competencia en el campo de esta ciencia de la salud. La búsqueda de información se realizó, a partir de artículos de revistas indexadas en SciELO y se consultaron expertos en el campo de la Pedagogía, la Psicología y la Enfermería. Se asumieron diferentes posturas en cuanto a la forma de vincular a los estudiantes con la preparación pedagógica del docente, para lograr un proceso formativo efectivo; se realizó una definición operacional sobre la tarea en el entorno pedagógico; se concluyó que es posible orientar la formación clínica hacia el perfil profesional, pero con la participación de los estudiantes, como protagonistas del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje, que posean un espacio de reconstrucción del conocimiento y reflexiones en torno a su saber, donde se evidencie la formación de sujetos profesionales y no objetos adiestrados para brindar cuidados de Enfermería. Palabras clave: aprendizaje significativo; proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje; diseño de tareas; competencias profesionales; experiencia educativa. The new school: educational, instructive work and learning developer of the infirmary professionals in the clinical and educational environment  Abstract The education is an essential component in the profession of Infirmary; it is a function substantive of the list male nurse, since it is part of the care that this professional offers to people in the different performance environments. The present work has as purposes to meditate about the approach necessity between the educational and instructive work and the learning developer of the professionals of Infirmary in the clinical and educational environment, together to the historical, social and cultural context that surrounds him, to achieve a competition preparation in the field of this science of the health. The search of information was carried out, starting from articles of magazines indexed in SciELO and experts were consulted in the field of the Pedagogy, the Psychology and the Infirmary. Different postures were assumed as for the form of linking the students with the pedagogic preparation of the educational one, to achieve an effective formative process; he/she was carried out an operational definition on the task in the pedagogic environment; you concluded that it is possible to guide the clinical formation toward the professional profile, but with the participation of the students, as main characters of the process teaching-learning that possess a space of reconstruction of the knowledge and reflections around their knowledge, where the formation of professional fellows and non-objects trained to offer cares of Infirmary is evidenced. Keyword. Significant learning; teaching-learning process; design of tasks; professional competitions; educational experience Recibido junio 2018                              Aprobado diciembre 2018 &nbsp

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol (1,4-BD; BDO) : a literature review with a focus on UK fatalities related to non-medical use

Misuse of gamma hydroxybutrate (GHB) and gamma butyrolactone (GBL) has increased greatly since the early 1990s, being implicated in a rising number of deaths. This paper reviews knowledge on GHB and derivatives, and explores the largest series of deaths associated with their non-medical use. Descriptive analyses of cases associated with GHB/GBL and 1,4 butanediol (1,4-BD) use extracted from the UK’s National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths database. From 1995 to September 2013, 159 GHB/GBL-associated fatalities were reported. Typical victims: White (92%), young (mean age 32 years); male (82%); with a drug misuse history (70%). Most deaths (79%) were accidental or related to drug use, the remainder (potential) suicides. GHB/GBL alone was implicated in 37%; alcohol 14%; other drugs 28%; other drugs and alcohol 15%. Its endogenous nature and rapid elimination limit toxicological detection. Post-mortem blood levels: mean 482 (range 0 - 6500; S.D. 758) mg/L. Results suggest significant caution is needed when ingesting GHB/GBL, particularly with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates, stimulants, and ketamine. More awareness is needed about risks associated with consumption.Peer reviewe

Valoración del desempeño del profesor en la disciplina de Enfermería

Objetivo: Describir la definición de desempeño del profesor contextualizado en la disciplina de Enfermería. Desarrollo: La Enfermería es la profesión que se dedica al cuidado del individuo, la familia y la comunidad; desarrolla, defiende actitudes y capacidades que favorecen el ser y su hacer. Para darle continuidad a esta profesión, se requiere de profesionales de la Enfermería consagrados a la docencia, actualizados y actualizables, según las necesidades crecientes del proceso formativo en la educación superior. Que garanticen la formación integral del futuro licenciado, al aportarles herramientas de trabajo. Y que se fortalezcan con la superación permanente. Además de lograr profesionales de la Enfermería, capaces de desempeñarse en la noble profesión de brindar cuidados en cualquier contexto. Se consultaron 20 referencias, obtenidas de bases de datos bibliográficos en Internet. La literatura actualizada muestra la existencia de diversas definiciones sobre el desempeño, los que en su mayoría describen la labor a realizar por un sujeto en su entorno social y que se orienten a mejores resultados. Conclusiones: A fin de lograr un alto nivel de profesionalidad en el desempeño del profesor de Enfermería, desde la concepción de un proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, diseñado para implementar contenidos desde las estrategias curriculares. Se precisa de una educación permanente desde la pedagogía. Para que se logre desde la disciplina de Enfermería las herramientas necesarias para implementar dichas estrategias. Y con ello un nivel superior en su desempeño. De ahí que se considere al profesor de la disciplina de Enfermería, responsable de la perpetuación de la profesión. Palabras clave: Profesor, desempeño, disciplina de Enfermería. Abstract Objective: Describe the definition of performance of the contextualized teacher in the discipline of Nursing. Development: Nursing is the profession that is dedicated to the care of the individual, the family and the community; develops, defends attitudes and capacities that favor being and doing. To give continuity to this profession, Nursing professionals dedicated to teaching are required, updated and updatable, according to the growing needs of the training process in higher education. That they guarantee the integral formation of the future graduate, by providing them with work tools. And that they become stronger with permanent improvement. In addition to achieving Nursing professionals, capable of performing in the noble profession of providing care in any context. Twenty references were consulted, obtained from bibliographic databases on the Internet. The updated literature shows the existence of various definitions of performance, most of which describe the work to be carried out by a subject in his or her social environment and that are aimed at better results. Conclusions: In order to achieve a high level of professionalism in the performance of the Nursing teacher, from the conception of a teaching-learning process, designed to implement content from the curricular strategies. It requires a permanent education from pedagogy. So that the necessary tools to implement these strategies can be achieved from the Nursing discipline. And with it a higher level of performance. Hence, the professor of the Nursing discipline is considered responsible for the perpetuation of the profession. Keywords: Professor, performance, Nursing discipline. &nbsp

Impacto de la Educación Avanzada en profesionales en Angola

En las Ciencias de la Educación recae la formación integral de los ciudadanos de cualquier sociedad. Le compete transmitir al ser humano el tesoro cultural existente en las diferentes esferas de la sociedad en un momento histórico determinado, a través del proceso educativo, de manera que asegure la suficiente preparación para la vida. Ante el desarrollo social se revela la necesidad de que los entornos profesionales cuenten con claustros a tono con las tendencias pedagógicas y capaces de aprovechar las potencialidades de la tecnología emergente y del futuro. Angola y sus profesionales, inmersos en una revolución educacional, no están ajenos. En ese contexto, la Educación Avanzada ofrece una propuesta teórico-práctica que complementa la teoría pedagógica actuante y constituye una fortaleza de la Pedagogía cubana. Sus postulados, categorías, principios, regularidades y leyes permiten organizar, ejecutar y evaluar el mejoramiento profesional y humano de estos recursos, la repercusión en su calidad de vida y en la conformación del capital humano social. En coherencia, el artículo revela la aplicabilidad de la teoría educativa cubana, su impacto en la formación educativa y la preparación en los profesionales en Angola de nivel superior, así como las posibles transformaciones en el desempeño profesional en academias militares.  SUMMARY  The Education Sciences are responsible for the integral formation of the citizens of any society. It is responsible for transmitting to the human being the cultural treasure existing in the different spheres of society at a given historical moment, through the educational process, in such a way as to ensure sufficient preparation for life. In the face of social development, it is necessary for professional environments to count on teaching staffs in tune with pedagogical trends and capable of taking advantage of the potentialities of emerging technology and of the future. Angola and its professionals, immersed in an educational revolution, are no strangers to this. In this context, Advanced Education offers a theoretical-practical proposal that complements the current pedagogical theory and constitutes a strength of Cuban Pedagogy. Its postulates, categories, principles, regularities and laws allow organizing, executing and evaluating the professional and human improvement of these resources, the impact on their quality of life and the conformation of social human capital. In coherence, the article reveals the applicability of the Cuban educational theory, its impact on the educational formation and preparation of professionals in Angola at a higher level, as well as the possible transformations in the professional performance in military academies.  Keywords: performance, pedagogical professional improvement, educational theory

Effectiveness of auriculotherapy as a therapeutic alternative in patients with neurotic disorders

Introduction: the use of Natural and Traditional Medicine techniques is widespread in Guantanamo, however, no studies have been found that assess their results in patients with neurotic disorders. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in patients with neurotic disorders treated at the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital "Luis Ramirez Lopez" in Guantanamo in 2018. Method: a case-control study was conducted. The universe was made up of 323 patients, and a random sample (n=249) was selected. Variables were studied: sex, age, neurotic disorder, day of treatment in which it shows improvement, treatment outcome. Results: the highest number of patients was female in the control group (n=120) and cases (n=50), most affected patients (n=78) were in the age group of 48-58 year. Generalized anxiety disorders (n=182; 73.1%) were the most prevalent. Patients experienced improvement between 8 and 15 days of treatment (n= 60; 72.3%). Most of the cases were cured (n=80; 32.1%). Conclusions: the auriculotherapy as contributory treatment to the drug treatment is an effective tool to fight the neurotic disorders, it makes possible the remission of the symptoms and the cure of the patient in the smaller possible time