Proyectos

At present the planet is facing a global disease caused by COVID-19, that has been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this exceptional context, WHO recommends quarantine and social distance for reduce spreading, diseases and deaths among the population.1 One of the main effects of these measures is the interruption of classes at schools, colleges and universities, with students at home.1 The impossibility of presential classes interrupted the educational and communication processes, that are very important in this situation of uncertainty, lack of information and fake news.2 For that reason, technology and virtual education are essentials for adaptive learning and also a new way to access from everywhere through mobile devices.3 Nevertheless, it could imply improvisation with a lot of trial and error, increasing inequality between students that could afford a better education and those who not.4 On the other hand, implications beyond the healthcare domain - which have placed global sustainable development under threat - highlight the need for the One Health transdisciplinary approach5,6 to tackle the situation7. However, the integration of different disciplines is still a challenge for global health.6 Therefore, capacity building among students in this direction should be promoted.8 Within this scenario, this pilot course on Modern Design & Interactive Teaching Methods, MoDITeM is designed under the train-the-trainers concept to provide educators in the field of health and other disciplines a methodological framework and didactic teaching methods to develop their own virtual teaching. Teaching methods will promote inter-professional and transdisciplinary learning. Thus, we will contribute to cope not only with challenges in this abrupt change to virtual education for the isolated student population in Covid's quarantine, but also to promote the search for comprehensive solutions to local problems in the future. The pilot project will be implemented in partner universities in three Latin American countries and one African country, strengthening the South-South collaboration network. Also, it will permit to reach people far away from main cities, improving the socialization of knowledge and equal opportunities for the population. It will allow to improve skills in teaching methods, research communication and sharing knowledge with peers in an LA and African settings, spreading the OH approach and its sustainability.

Virtual learning and networking is an effective approach to develop and build on scientific knowledge and professional skills. In 2020, the global community is affected by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) limiting people’s ability to travel and meet face to face due to the pandemic problem. Learning from different countries and about various aspects of COVID-19 is even more important and relevant. Countries, professionals and researchers will be able to learn from each other and to contribute in the effort of combating the problem of COVID-19 by establishing better linkages with researchers and professionals from different countries and experts from different fields. The Center for International Health of Ludwig Maximilians University has a wide network of institutions and individuals throughout the continents and with different expertise and skill sets. This network and strength of individuals and institutions can be enhanced for a global effort of combating the pandemic by exchanging knowledge, skills and ideas. We propose a simple approach of facilitating the network and knowledge sharing by utilizing the CIH’s 2020 Call for Proposals on One Health Funds. Through this project, “OH-Knowledge Cafe”, we will bring together the expertise and network of researchers and professionals from various disciplines, countries and expertise to enable cross learning, sharing and network building. The project will ensure that funding and contribution from the CIHLMU /DAAD/BMZ and network partners will be duly acknowledged in all events and products developed.

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There are more than 41 million deaths per year worldwide, 71% of them are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular (CV) causes taking the first place. Adverse intrauterine conditions increase the risk of developing NCDs during the life course, a phenomenon known as Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). The most frequent and clinically relevant adverse condition during fetal life is intrauterine hypoxia (IH), which is associated with a high perinatal morbi-mortality. The molecular mechanisms that could be involve in IH causes and consequences are an important aspect in most of the pregnancies at high altitudes (> 2500m), and in 3-4% of the pregnancies with utero-placental complications at lowlands. Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are endogenous gasotransmitters with vasodilator properties that can regulate cardiovascular functions. These gasotransmitters may be affected by intrauterine chronic hypoxia- induced oxidative stress, eliciting vascular programming and deriving in cardiovascular dysfunction along life course. Although these gasotransmitters have shown to determine endothelial, smooth muscle and cardiac function, the role of them in the fetal programming CV dysfunction due to developmental hypoxia and their relationship with oxidative stress is still unknown. Our hypothesis is that the intrauterine development in chronic hypoxia programms the gasotransmitters pathways (NO, CO and H2S) in the heart and blood vessels through oxidative stress, which impacts in the short, medium and long term cardiovascular function. Therefore, an oral treatment with antenatal melatonin will prevent the hypoxic-induced cardiovascular impairment. In this proposal, we aim to study, in a well-characterized guinea pig model, the origins and outcomes of cardiovascular dysfunction resulting from IH, by characterizing the functional, structural and molecular aspects of vasoactive mechanisms dependent on endogenous gasotransmitters, in the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, as fetal growth restriction and cardiovascular programming are related with hypoxia induced-oxidative stress, we will implement an antenatal treatment with melatonin, a proved antioxidant, to test the prevention of IH-induced cardiovascular risks in the short-, mediate- and long-term. To address these aims, we will study the effects of intrauterine chronic hypoxia and oxidative stress on the NO, CO and H2S related pathways of the cardiovascular system in guinea pigs. We will describe the NO, CO and H2S related pathways, its epigenetic changes and their roles as important regulators of function, structure and biomechanical properties of heart and vessels, under hypoxia induced-oxidative stress. The aforementioned will be done in animals gestated under IH, with or without antenatal melatonin treatment, and follow the cardiovascular function from fetus to adulthood. The methodology is an in vivo non-invasive evaluation of the function and structure of the cardiovascular system (ultrasound); an ex vivo function and biomechanical characterization of heart and arteries (Langendorff, wire myography, biomechanical tests); and in vitro determinations of genetic, protein and epigenetic expression in heart and several vascular beds; at different stages of life. These approaches will permit us to correlate and integrate the short-, mediate- and long-term cardiovascular effects related to the gasotransmitters pathways, in the offspring gestated under chronic hypoxia. In addition, we will evaluate a supported treatment with melatonin, to prevent intrauterine growth restriction and cardiovascular impairment after IH exposure, to test the relationship of gasotransmitters pathways with intrauterine oxidative stress. We expect to unravel the mechanisms underlying IH- induced cardiovascular reprogramming focusing on oxidative stress and gasotransmitters, in order to potentiate melatonin treatment as a possible therapy in hypoxia related complicated pregnancies, either at high altitude or lowlands. This grant will effectively provide a valuable resource for the scientific and clinical community to pursue the understanding of cardiovascular NCDs programmed by intrauterine hypoxia, a worldwide burden still without effective therapeutic approach. Furthermore, this will add knowledge to the foundations for the development of novel therapies for intrauterine hypoxia, and the prevention of CV risk in fetuses, neonates and adults.

There are more than 41 million deaths per year worldwide, 71% of them are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular (CV) causes taking the first place. Adverse intrauterine conditions increase the risk of developing NCDs during the life course, a phenomenon known as Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). The most frequent and clinically relevant adverse condition during fetal life is intrauterine hypoxia (IH), which is associated with a high perinatal morbi-mortality. The molecular mechanisms that could be involve in IH causes and consequences are an important aspect in most of the pregnancies at high altitudes (> 2500m), and in 3-4% of the pregnancies with utero-placental complications at lowlands. Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are endogenous gasotransmitters with vasodilator properties that can regulate cardiovascular functions. These gasotransmitters may be affected by intrauterine chronic hypoxia- induced oxidative stress, eliciting vascular programming and deriving in cardiovascular dysfunction along life course. Although these gasotransmitters have shown to determine endothelial, smooth muscle and cardiac function, the role of them in the fetal programming CV dysfunction due to developmental hypoxia and their relationship with oxidative stress is still unknown. Our hypothesis is that the intrauterine development in chronic hypoxia programms the gasotransmitters pathways (NO, CO and H2S) in the heart and blood vessels through oxidative stress, which impacts in the short, medium and long term cardiovascular function. Therefore, an oral treatment with antenatal melatonin will prevent the hypoxic-induced cardiovascular impairment. In this proposal, we aim to study, in a well-characterized guinea pig model, the origins and outcomes of cardiovascular dysfunction resulting from IH, by characterizing the functional, structural and molecular aspects of vasoactive mechanisms dependent on endogenous gasotransmitters, in the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, as fetal growth restriction and cardiovascular programming are related with hypoxia induced-oxidative stress, we will implement an antenatal treatment with melatonin, a proved antioxidant, to test the prevention of IH-induced cardiovascular risks in the short-, mediate- and long-term. To address these aims, we will study the effects of intrauterine chronic hypoxia and oxidative stress on the NO, CO and H2S related pathways of the cardiovascular system in guinea pigs. We will describe the NO, CO and H2S related pathways, its epigenetic changes and their roles as important regulators of function, structure and biomechanical properties of heart and vessels, under hypoxia induced-oxidative stress. The aforementioned will be done in animals gestated under IH, with or without antenatal melatonin treatment, and follow the cardiovascular function from fetus to adulthood. The methodology is an in vivo non-invasive evaluation of the function and structure of the cardiovascular system (ultrasound); an ex vivo function and biomechanical characterization of heart and arteries (Langendorff, wire myography, biomechanical tests); and in vitro determinations of genetic, protein and epigenetic expression in heart and several vascular beds; at different stages of life. These approaches will permit us to correlate and integrate the short-, mediate- and long-term cardiovascular effects related to the gasotransmitters pathways, in the offspring gestated under chronic hypoxia. In addition, we will evaluate a supported treatment with melatonin, to prevent intrauterine growth restriction and cardiovascular impairment after IH exposure, to test the relationship of gasotransmitters pathways with intrauterine oxidative stress. We expect to unravel the mechanisms underlying IH- induced cardiovascular reprogramming focusing on oxidative stress and gasotransmitters, in order to potentiate melatonin treatment as a possible therapy in hypoxia related complicated pregnancies, either at high altitude or lowlands. This grant will effectively provide a valuable resource for the scientific and clinical community to pursue the understanding of cardiovascular NCDs programmed by intrauterine hypoxia, a worldwide burden still without effective therapeutic approach. Furthermore, this will add knowledge to the foundations for the development of novel therapies for intrauterine hypoxia, and the prevention of CV risk in fetuses, neonates and adults.

Este proyecto regional de estudio psicosocial se conforma ante la crisis global por enfermedad de Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), la cual fue declarada pandemia global, el 11 de marzo pasado, por la OMS1. El objetivo del Proyecto es evaluar el impacto social y en salud mental que tiene la enfermedad en Argentina, Chile y Bolivia; como así también generar evidencia para la toma de decisiones en políticas de salud y sociales de cada país. El estudio TIARA, estudio base del presente proyecto multicéntrico, desarrollado e implementado por Silvina Arrossi y Silvina Ramos del CEDES (unidad asociada a CONICET), Argentina y otros investigadores del mismo país, se amplía para generar un proyecto multicéntrico que reúne el esfuerzo de colaboración de instituciones e investigadores de tres países, Argentina, Bolivia y Chile. En Chile y Bolivia, está dirigido por equipos locales que reúnen una vasta experiencia en estudios sociales, psiquiatría, salud mental global y salud pública. El estudio cuenta con el apoyo de co-investigadores y cuenta con el apoyo técnico del Departamento de Salud Mental del Ministerio de Salud de Chile, lo que beneficia el efecto traslacional del conocimiento que se genere. Objetivos de Investigación Este estudio se propone analizar el impacto psico-social y en la vida cotidiana ante las medidas implementadas frente al COVID-19 en Chile y Bolivia, así como también analizar las estrategias que está implementando la población para sobrellevar estas medidas, tomando como base las recomendaciones de organismos de salud mental nacionales e internacionales. Por otra parte, se recabará información acerca de la posible percepción de los aspectos positivos de las medidas de confinamiento, de manera que se pueda hacer un seguimiento en el tiempo de la aceptabilidad e impacto que tienen en las personas y los hogares.

Este proyecto regional de estudio psicosocial se conforma ante la crisis global por enfermedad de Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), la cual fue declarada pandemia global, el 11 de marzo pasado, por la OMS1. El objetivo del Proyecto es evaluar el impacto social y en salud mental que tiene la enfermedad en Argentina, Chile y Bolivia; como así también generar evidencia para la toma de decisiones en políticas de salud y sociales de cada país. El estudio TIARA, estudio base del presente proyecto multicéntrico, desarrollado e implementado por Silvina Arrossi y Silvina Ramos del CEDES (unidad asociada a CONICET), Argentina y otros investigadores del mismo país, se amplía para generar un proyecto multicéntrico que reúne el esfuerzo de colaboración de instituciones e investigadores de tres países, Argentina, Bolivia y Chile. En Chile y Bolivia, está dirigido por equipos locales que reúnen una vasta experiencia en estudios sociales, psiquiatría, salud mental global y salud pública. El estudio cuenta con el apoyo de co-investigadores y cuenta con el apoyo técnico del Departamento de Salud Mental del Ministerio de Salud de Chile, lo que beneficia el efecto traslacional del conocimiento que se genere. Objetivos de Investigación Este estudio se propone analizar el impacto psico-social y en la vida cotidiana ante las medidas implementadas frente al COVID-19 en Chile y Bolivia, así como también analizar las estrategias que está implementando la población para sobrellevar estas medidas, tomando como base las recomendaciones de organismos de salud mental nacionales e internacionales. Por otra parte, se recabará información acerca de la posible percepción de los aspectos positivos de las medidas de confinamiento, de manera que se pueda hacer un seguimiento en el tiempo de la aceptabilidad e impacto que tienen en las personas y los hogares.

Durante el siglo XX se tendió a medicalizar y tecnificar la asistencia sanitaria al nacimiento bajo el argumento de la seguridad. A finales de 2019 apareció una nueva situación que ha producido profundos cambios en la atención a la salud y que mantiene el planeta en estado de alarma: la pandemia de SARS-COV-2. En el caso de la atención al parto, pone en tela de juicio el concepto de seguridad que se había otorgado al parto hospitalario. Pretendemos profundizar en el conocimiento de las diversas formas de vulnerabilidad, violencia y pérdida de derechos, a las que las mujeres gestantes se ven expuestas. Así como interrogamos sobre el concepto de seguridad en el parto y el lugar idóneo para su asistencia, para promover cambios que permitan una atención acorde con la dignidad y el derecho de autonomía de las mujeres en este nuevo escenario. El estudio combina diferentes metodologías y se desarrollará en 4 fases: a) Establecimiento del punto de partida, b) Diagnóstico de la situación, c) Elaboración estrategia de acción y d) Implementación de un programa formativo piloto con contenidos específicos en aspectos asistenciales, bioéticos y comunicativos dirigido a los profesionales sanitarios.

Materia Específica: Los objetivos de este proyecto son: 1) Analizar la representación de la migración a partir de la articulación de distintas categorías de diferencia (ej.: género, clase social, estatus migratorio, etnicidad u otras relativamente salientes); 2) Profundizar en la representación del género en noticias sobre migración y pandemia. 3) Identificar los espacios de la migración más comúnmente representados y los significados construidos en torno a ellos; 4) Identificar los giros en la representación de la migración durante la pandemia; 5) Comparar las representaciones que hacen medios con distintas líneas editoriales.

Este proyecto nació de conversaciones con colegas de distintas universidades sobre el fenómeno de la violencia policial en las manifestaciones durante el Estallido Social que remeció a Chile el año 2019. Con un afán de entender, al largo del tiempo, las dinámicas de violencia y legitimidad social en el marco de manifestaciones en Chile, con un equipo de investigadoras de la Universidad Diego Portales (UDP, Monica Gerber y Macarena Orchard), postulamos a fondos de COES para implementar un estudio longitudinal que busca entender como la actual crisis de legitimidad de Carabineros lleva a la justificación de actos violentos y, por ende, menores niveles de legitimidad social a través del tiempo. Este proyecto obtuvo financiamiento de COES y de la UDP y, además, de la European Association of Social Psychology (EASP), mostrando así su relevancia teórica y social, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional. A lo largo del proyecto, desarrollamos 4 grandes líneas de investigación y organizamos un ciclo de Seminarios sobre el proyecto, el cual contó con la presencia de académicos/as interesados/as en este tema y también con la participación de estudiantes de pre y posgrado. Actualmente estamos en conversaciones con el Ministerio de Justicia para entregarles la evidencia recopilada y recomendaciones para la implementación de políticas publicas que garanticen el respeto incondicional por los Derechos Humanos en Chile. Además, recientemente, nos adjudicamos el siguiente proyecto Fondecyt Regular, en el cual soy coinvestigadora para seguir avanzando en esta línea de investigación: Proyecto Fondecyt Regular (1221805; 2022 a 2025). From compliance to resistance: How do citizens in Chile relate to and position themselves towards the police?. Investigadora Principal: Monica Gerber (UDP).