1. Investigación

Introduction: Learning molecular genetics techniques is part of the program of the genetics course of the veterinary degree. It is essential to maintain motivation and interest in genetics practice by using a common thread that connects with the students’ interests. This work describes the design, implementation, and results of a gamification strategy developed during two practical sessions in which the student becomes a geneticist to identify which dog a faecal sample collected from the street belongs to, as some municipalities currently do to promote hygiene and public health in their streets. The aim was for students to understand basic concepts and techniques in molecular genetics during these two sessions. This included learning how to extract DNA from different types of samples, describing the amplification using Random Amplification Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and getting a better understanding of molecular markers and the theory behind Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Methodology: In the first practice, students extracted DNA from fresh dog faeces, while also discussing various DNA sources and extraction methods. Then they used the extracted DNA to create a simulated database of fictional dogs associated with students. They quantified the DNA, analysed its quality, and prepared a dilution to 10ng/μL. In the second practice, the students used RAPD to identify individuals by matching DNA from a simulated collected faeces sample to their fictional dogs DNA database. They performed amplification reactions with various primers pairs, followed by gel electrophoresis, to compare DNA band patterns and identify the dog and the fictional student associated with the uncollected dog faeces. The advantages and limitations of the RAPD technique were discussed, along with its potential applications in veterinary science and genetics. Results and discussion: The students were successful in extracting DNA with concentrations over 100 ng/μL in most cases as well as a good purity with respect to proteins. However, it was found that there was usually a low quality of DNA with respect to salts, although this did not influence the results of the second practice. They were able to generate reproducible RAPD profiles with all primer pairs. The unknown individual could be easily recognized within the database. Conclusions: It is concluded that this educational proposal is an effective option for teaching DNA extraction and the RAPD technique, as well as for many molecular genetics terms and concepts and contributes to the comprehensive training of future veterinary professionals. Additionally, the educational and social value of the practices are highlighted, as they promote interest in science, respect for the environment, and civic responsibility.

This paper investigates the influence of peer financial choices on the capital structure decisions of European and North American listed companies in the oil and gas sector. It also examines how commodity prices, particularly oil and natural gas prices, and their corporate hedging affect capital structure policies. The findings underscore the existence of peer effects in the oil and gas industry, indicating that companies consider their peers' financial decisions when determining their capital structure. Further analysis reveals that there is significant cross-country heterogeneity in capital structure peer effects conditional on financial and institutional development, and disclosure quality. Additionally, the research highlights that oil and natural gas prices, along with the hedging against these prices exposure, impact the capital structure of oil and gas companies, providing invaluable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers.

Desde la Declaración de Estocolmo de 1972, el Derecho ha intentado dar solución al fenómeno del cambio climático. El Protocolo de Kioto de 1997, en desarrollo de la Convención Marco de ias Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático de 1992, estableció un sistema de comercio de derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero entre Estados como mecanismo de flexibilidad para lograr la reducción de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera al menor coste posible. La Unión Europea desarrolló el primer sistema de comercio de derechos de emisión, en funcionamiento desde 2005, siendo intervinientes en el mismo tanto las instalaciones emisoras de gases de efecto invernadero como cualquier inversor en estos derechos. En España, la Ley 1/2005, como norma de transposición de la Directiva 2003/87/CE, rige el sistema español de comercio de emisiones. Toda la regulación comentada ha amparado la reciente praxis mercantil consistente en la negociación de derechos de emisión en plataformas electrónicas. Sin embargo, los sistemas internacional, comunitario y nacional de comercio de derechos de emisión responden exclusivamente a regulaciones de Derecho público que no contemplan el elevado componente financiero que haría necesaria la regulación y supervisión de las plataformas de negociación de derechos de emisión.

Desde la Declaración de Estocolmo de 1972, el Derecho ha intentado dar solución al fenómeno del cambio climático. El Protocolo de Kioto de 1997, en desarrollo de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático de 1992, estableció un sistema de comercio de derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero entre Estados como mecanismo de flexibilidad para lograr la reducción de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera al menor coste posible. La Unión Europea desarrolló el primer sistema de comercio de derechos de emisión, en funcionamiento desde 2005, siendo intervinientes en el mismo tanto las instalaciones emisoras de gases de efecto invernadero como cualquier inversor en estos derechos. En España, la Ley 1/2005, como norma de transposición de la Directiva 2003/87/CE, rige el sistema español de comercio de emisiones. A partir de 2013 se impondrán importantes novedades en el sistema jurídico español de comercio de emisiones que merecen ser objeto de estudio detallado.

Tras el Protocolo de Kioto, el comercio de derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero se ha generalizado. Entre los distintos usos o formas de transmisión y negociación de dichos derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y de instrumentos financieros derivados sobre los mismos, destacan las plataformas de negociación secundaria de derechos de emisión. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis jurídico-mercantil de la posible consideración de dichas plataformas como sistemas de negociación de instrumentos financieros y la posible conveniencia de su supervisión por la Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores.

La ratificación de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático y el Protocolo de Kioto obliga a España a reducir sus emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera. Los agentes económicos han desarrollado distintos usos o formas de transmisión y negociación de derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y de instrumentos financieros derivados sobre los mismos. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis jurídico-mercantil de la regulación de los derechos de emisión y sus derivados con el fin de lanzar propuestas de modificación normativa que adecúen las previsiones de la Ley del Mercado de Valores al elenco normativo dispuesto para la regulación del sistema de comercio de emisiones - principalmente, la Ley 1/2005, de 9 de marzo, de Comercio de Derechos de Emisión de Gases de Efecto Invernadero-.

La ratificación de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático y el Protocolo de Kioto obliga a España a reducir sus emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera. Los agentes económicos han desarrollado distintos usos o formas de transmisión y negociación de derechos de emisión de gases de efecto invernadero y de instrumentos financieros derivados sobre los mismos. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis jurídico-mercantil de la conveniencia de la regulación de dichos derechos de emisión como instrumentos financieros.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) represents a rare condition marked by an abnormal mobility pattern of cilia and flagella, resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance. This deficiency leads to recurrent infections and persistent inflammation of the airways. While previous studies have indicated heightened oxidative stress levels in the exhaled breath condensate of pediatric PCD patients, the assessment of oxidative stress within the affected respiratory tissue remains unexplored. Aims: To assess the oxidative status of human nasal epithelial cells (NECs) in PCD patients. Methods: Thirty-five PCD patients and thirty-five healthy control subjects were prospectively included in the study. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), glutathione (GSH), intracellular Ca2+, plasma membrane potential, and oxidative damage in lipids and proteins were measured. In addition, apoptosis and mitochondrial function were analyzed by flow cytometry in NECs. Results: NECs from PCD patients showed reduced levels of apoptosis (p = 0.004), superoxide anion (O2 −, p = 0.018), peroxynitrite (ONOO−, p = 0.007), nitric oxide (NO, p = 0.007), mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (mtH2O2, p < 0.0001), and mitochondrial superoxide anion (mtO2 −, p = 0.0004) and increased mitochondrial mass (p = 0.009) compared to those from healthy individuals. No significant differences were observed in oxidized proteins (p = 0.137) and the oxidized/reduced lipid ratio (p = 0.7973). The oxidative profile of NEC cells in PCD patients, according to their ciliary motility, recurrent otitis, recurrent pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus, showed no statistically significant differences in the parameters studied. Conversely, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis exhibited lower levels of ONOO− than PCD patients without this condition, with no significant differences related to other symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings strongly suggest the presence of a redox imbalance, specifically leaning toward a reductive state, in PCD patients.