Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Huntington’s Disease

Stem cell therapies hold considerable promise for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been of particular clinical interest because of their ability to generate neuronal cells and to be used in animal models of neurodegenerative disease as well as for testing new drugs. Several PSCs isolated from humans and animals that carry the genotype of Huntington’s disease (HD) have been used in aforementioned studies. HD-PSCs obtained can produce in vitro neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These NPCs applied in HD models show several advantages: they engraft into the brain in animal models and differentiate into neuronal cells, thus promoting behavioral recovery and motor impairment. Although progress has been made using PSCs, additional tests should be done to overcome several limitations as, for example, tumorigenicity, before their clinical application. We focus this chapter on current knowledge regarding HD-PSC lines and their helpfulness as an in vitro model for basic research. Next, we discuss the advances of disease-free PSCs in preclinical HD models aiming to their potential application in patients. Additionally, we discuss their potential use as a test system for anti-HD drug screening by the pharmaceutical industry, especially considering HD patients’ welfare

Estudio de patrones de movilidad de trabajadores y estudiantes de la universidad técnica del norte para estimar el consumo de energía en función del tipo de transporte utilizado

Desarrollar un estudio de los patrones de movilidad de trabajadores y estudiantes de la Universidad Técnica del Norte para estimar el consumo de energía en función del tipo de transporte utilizado.En este proyecto se desarrolla un “estudio de patrones de movilidad de estudiantes y trabajadores de la Universidad Técnica del Norte para estimar el consumo de energía en función del tipo de transporte utilizado”. El texto del proyecto se encuentra dividido en cuatro capítulos donde se detalla finalmente un diagnóstico del problema. El primer capítulo encierra la problemática que existe debido al uso ineficiente e inconsciente de los medios de transporte, que genera un exceso de consumo de energía, un alto grado de contaminación ambiental, y a la vez un fuerte impacto económico para el estado; los objetivos del proyecto son identificar los puntos de origen y destino que generan viajes hacia la Universidad, determinar el porcentaje de ocupación de los medios de transporte, estimar el consumo de energía actual y plantear escenarios de movilización más ecológicos. En el segundo capítulo se encuentra el marco teórico con información extraída de fuentes científicas bibliográficas y de la web, que tienen como enfoque principal el campus matriz de la universidad, los sistemas de transporte y generalidades sobre eficiencia energética y movilidad sostenible. En el tercer capítulo se detallan los procedimientos y actividades que incluye el desarrollo de la propuesta, en esta sección se detalla una caracterización espacial del campus “El Olivo”, se caracteriza los medios de transporte utilizados para realizar los desplazamientos con énfasis particular en los autobuses de servicio urbano, se identifica las zonas de origen y destino de los viajes, luego se procede a definir la metodología y los parámetros de estudio a tener en cuenta para realizar el levantamiento de información y el análisis de resultados del siguiente capítulo. En el cuarto capítulo se encuentra el análisis de datos, donde se muestra en detalle los resultados del estudio en general, expresados en gráficos y tablas, y por consiguiente la interpretación de estos valores

Spatial Statistical Analysis of the Traffic Accidents

26,000 people died on the roads of Europe in 2015, which is 5 500 less than in 2010. However, compared to the situation in 2014, no improvement could be experienced in this field at European Union level. Moreover, it was stated that 644 people died and 5575 suffered serious injuries as a result of road accidents on HU road network in 2015.The objective of this study is to analyse the spatial clusters of traffic accidents on the secondary Hungarian road network in line with the No. 2008/96/EC Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. Spatial statistical methods were used to analyse the statistical distribution of the traffic accidents. The investigated network was the sections of the secondary road network, while the investigated time horizon was between 2010-2012

Extraction of digital surface models from corona satellite stereo images

Satellite images can be utilised for observing surf icial changes, especially efficient in the monitoring of larger areas. The comparative analysis of high resolution images from earlier periods with recent data can provide insight in the scale of changes in topography, and with meteorological, hydrological and other historic records, can lead to better understanding and more reliable modelling of the predominant processes causing mass movement. More accurate morphometric and visual analysis of the topographic changes is possible using digital surface model (DSM), which can be obtained from satellite stereo images. In this paper, the authors evaluated methods of creation digital surface models obtained from satellite images from the CORONA program in monitoring surfic ial massmovement processes in the Fruška Gora mountain area , in the southern part of the Vojvodina province in Serbia. This area is of particular interest because of its favourable geographic location, rich geo- and cultural heritage and increasing demand for exploitation, which results in greater impact of natural hazards. The CORONA images were chosen because of good availability of high resolution coverage for the whole area from the period of past four decades

Review Article Applications of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Studying the Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons. Incurable neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) show dramatic rising trends particularly in the advanced age groups. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated, and to date there are no biomarkers for early detection or effective treatments for the underlying causes of these diseases. Furthermore, due to species variation and differences between animal models (e.g., mouse transgenic and knockout models) of neurodegenerative diseases, substantial debate focuses on whether animal and cell culture disease models can correctly model the condition in human patients. In 2006, Yamanaka of Kyoto University first demonstrated a novel approach for the preparation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which displayed similar pluripotency potential to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Currently, iPSCs studies are permeating many sectors of disease research. Patient sample-derived iPSCs can be used to construct patient-specific disease models to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of disease development and to test new therapeutic strategies. Accordingly, the present review will focus on recent progress in iPSC research in the modeling of neurodegenerative disorders and in the development of novel therapeutic options