Effect of the gut environment on the homeostasis and function of the enteric nervous system

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract performs essential functions that maintain health and homeostasis of organisms. A complex set of tissues of distinct embryological origin (such as epithelial cells and the local immune and nervous systems) interact continuously in order to maintain a functional equilibrium and normal physiology which is constantly threatened by multiple and sometimes severe challenges originating within the wall or the lumen of the gut. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is composed of an intricate and complex network of enteric glial cells (EGCs) and neurons localised into different compartments within the intestinal wall. These cells are involved in controlling virtually all aspects of GI function, including intestinal peristalsis. Due to its positioning at the interface between the internal and external milieu of the body, the ENS shares the same intestinal environment with the highly active immune system and the rich and diverse communities of microbiota and therefore is expected to be influenced by immune responses and microbial dynamics. However, the methodology to study these questions and consequently our understanding of neuro-immune-microbe interactions in the mammalian gut is limited. In this thesis, we examined the effects of the intestinal environment, such as microbiota and adaptive immune system on the homeostasis and function of the ENS in adult animals. We have successfully generated a robust technology to isolate and investigate the molecular profile of enteric neurons from the adult gut, in addition to an in vitro system that allows the establishment and maintenance of the adult EGCs. Moreover, by using germ-free (GF) and inflammation mouse models, our experiments demonstrated that subtle changes in the intestinal environment are enough to alter the normal physiology of the ENS. Furthermore, we found that the adaptive immune system is crucial for maintaining the integrity and functional equilibrium of the ENS. Together, our data suggest that the balance between microbiota and adaptive immune system regulates the organisation and homeostasis of the ENS.Open Acces

METODOLOGIAS EM TESES DE RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL CORPORATIVA

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar os resultados do levantamento das metodologias de pesquisa utilizadas nas teses de doutorado em Administração na área de Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC). Foram analisadas as teses defendidas na última década (2001 a 2010) dos cursos de Administração brasileiros com avaliação CAPES mínima de cinco no triênio de 2007 a 2010. Os resultados foram comparados com estudos internacionais e brasileiros. Predominam os estudos empíricos (75% do total) e o emprego de métodos qualitativos (82%), tendo oito destas teses (29%) utilizado também métodos quantitativos. Em consonância com as revisões de literatura em RSC anteriores, foi observada a adoção preferencial pelo método de estudos de caso (64%) e de survey (36%). Conclui-se que as teses na área de RSC não parecem estar sujeitas de forma tão proeminente à exigência de método quantitativo da maioria das publicações acadêmicas. Estes resultados seguem direções diferentes das encontradas nas revisões de literatura anteriores

It’s Who We Are: New Approaches, Supported by Evidence

This issue poses the question, “Where do we go from here?” Agricultural and extension educators are well equipped to grow, reimagine, and improve our work. First, we go to our foundational training and educational background and apply those key principles in a new contextual setting. 1) Although we never left the country, we built a virtual study abroad using Kolb’s model (1984) of experiential learning to incorporate all four phases into our VHIE teaching and learning process. 2) Creating the SPS Policy Framework for Africa introduced our team to the Continental SPS Committee, which provided credibility to conduct two virtual 4-day participatory workshops to initiate the strategic plans for food safety and plant health. 3) When we addressed the impact of COVID-19 in Africa, we employed the most fundamental, important, and effective educational attribute, caring. 4) Conference attendance improved during the pandemic. However, agricultural and extension educators don’t view virtual meetings as a replacement for in-person meetings. 5) Students who have intercultural competence are in high demand. Lewin\u27s Theory of Planned Change explains the virtual student exchange rapid growth phenomena. The increase in students of color and low SES within intercultural competency programs is a welcome benefit. The problems that COVID-19 brought upon the globe challenged our educational, extension, and outreach systems. I observed that agricultural and extension educators utilized their foundational delivery background and talents to adjust quickly to the contextual COVID-19 pandemic world. We grew, reimagined, and improved our delivery and outreach because that is who we are

Human health effects of benzene, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead and mercury: Report of an expert consultation

Ana Isabel Cañas Portilla y Argelia Castaño Calvo del Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (ISCIII) han participado en este informe como expertos proporcionando comentarios técnicos.Benzene, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel are ubiquitous pollutants in ambient air. The main sources are industrial processes, electricity generation and fuel combustion. The main routes of exposure are inhalation for benzene, and diet for arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury. Inhalation of benzene, arsenic and cadmium is relevant for exposure in active tobacco smokers and people exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke. Epidemiological studies show that exposure to these pollutants is associated with adverse effects on the cardiovascular (cadmium, lead, mercury); haematological (benzene, lead); immunological, neurological and reproductive (benzene, lead, mercury); respiratory (cadmium, nickel); renal (cadmium, lead); and skeletal (cadmium) systems. Limited epidemiological evidence on ambient air pollution suggests adverse effects on the cardiovascular system (arsenic and nickel). Since benzene, arsenic, cadmium and nickel are classified as carcinogenic, the lowest possible exposure level is suggested to minimize the risk for cancer development in view of the no-effect threshold paradigm. Lead and methylmercury compounds are classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans. However, the available evidence is insufficient to warrant updating the air quality guidelines for these air pollutants. Evidence gaps are identified and these should guide future research efforts.S

The Enteric Glial Network Acts in the Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis and in Intestinal Disorders

The enteric nervous system (ENS), also known as second brain, innervates our gastrointestinal tract controlling its functions, such as motility, fluid secretion, nutrient absorption, and even involvement in the control of immunity and inflammatory processes. In the gut, the gliocytes are known as enteric glial cells (EGCs). Enteric glial cells form a network that permeates the entire gut. Enteric glia express the cell surface hemichannel of connexin-43 (Cx43) necessary for the propagation of Ca2 + responses, necessary to maintain their functions. In this chapter, besides the development of ENS and its glial cells and the similarities with the astrocytes in the central nervous system, we approached the important role of the glial network in the control of gut homeostasis, in the interaction with the immune system, and its participation in pathological conditions. EGCs are even capable of replacing lost neurons. Thus the enteric glia is a multifunctional cell, which through its multiple interactions maintains the integrity of the ENS allowing it to be resistant to the different and constant aggressions suffered by the digestive system

Human biomonitoring. Basics: educational course

Ana Isabel Cañas Portilla, Argelia Castaño, Susana Pedraza Diaz y Marta Esteban López del Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (ISCIII) han contribuido en el desarrollo de este curso.Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an instrument for measuring the internal dose of exogenous substances/chemicals that enter a body during a certain period of exposure from a range of sources. It contributes to reducing uncertainties in the assessment of health risks from chemicals and provides information for decision-making on the prevention of negative impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment. Promoting the use of HBM is a recognized priority of chemical safety globally and in the WHO European Region. Given the complexity of HBM, relevant capacities should be built at the national level to explore its benefits. This educational course on HBM, presented in the form of slides with accompanying notes and references, compiles scientific information on HBM as well as practical examples. It was developed to support the training of public-health and health-care professionals; students of medical, biological and other allied sciences; and professionals and decision-makers in the health, environment and other relevant sectorsThis course was developed with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and the German Federal Ministry of Health.S

Микола Сушко та Організація українських націоналістів: до питання про партійно-політичну приналежність голови Української установи довіри в Німецькій імперії (1938–1945)

В публікації досліджується питання партійно-політичної приналежності голови Української установи довіри в Німецькій імперії д-ра Миколи Сушка (1938–1945).В публикации исследуется вопрос о партийно-политической принадлежности председателя Украинского учреждения доверия в Германии д-ра Николая Сушко (1938–1945).The publication contains a study on the problem of party-political membership of the Head of the Ukrainian Trust Institution in German Empire Dr. Mykola Sushko (1938–1945)

Selective chromo-fluorogenic detection of trivalent cations in aqueous environments using a dehydration reaction

[EN] Trivalent cations (Al3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, As3+, In3+ and Ga3+) induced a dehydration reaction of a chemodosimeter in water that is coupled with colour and emission changes.Financial support from the Spanish Government and FEDER funds (Project MAT2015-64139-C4-1) and the Generalitat Valencia (Project PROMETEO II/2014/047) is gratefully acknowledged. M. L. P. is grateful to the Generalitat Valenciana for her Santiago Grisolia grant.Lo-Presti, M.; El Sayed Shehata Nasr, S.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Costero, AM.; Gil, S.; Parra, M.; Sancenón Galarza, F. (2016). Selective chromo-fluorogenic detection of trivalent cations in aqueous environments using a dehydration reaction. New Journal of Chemistry. 40(11):9042-9045. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6nj01957aS90429045401

SUS1 introns are required for efficient mRNA nuclear export in yeast

Efficient coupling between mRNA synthesis and export is essential for gene expression. Sus1/ENY2, a component of the SAGA and TREX-2 complexes, is involved in both transcription and mRNA export. While most yeast genes lack introns, we previously reported that yeast SUS1 bears two. Here we show that this feature is evolutionarily conserved and critical for Sus1 function. We determine that while SUS1 splicing is inefficient, it responds to cellular conditions, and intronic mutations either promoting or blocking splicing lead to defects in mRNA export and cell growth. Consistent with this, we find that an intron-less SUS1 only partially rescues sus1Δ phenotypes. Remarkably, splicing of each SUS1 intron is also affected by the presence of the other and by SUS1 exonic sequences. Moreover, by following SUS1 RNA and protein levels we establish that nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway and the splicing factor Mud2 both play a role in SUS1 expression. Our data (and those of the accompanying work by Hossain et al.) provide evidence of the involvement of splicing, translation, and decay in the regulation of early events in mRNP biogenesis; and imply the additional requirement for a balance in splicing isoforms from a single gene

Woody aboveground biomass mapping of the brazilian savanna with a multi-sensor and machine learning approach

The tropical savanna in Brazil known as the Cerrado covers circa 23% of the Brazilian territory, but only 3% of this area is protected. High rates of deforestation and degradation in the woodland and forest areas have made the Cerrado the second-largest source of carbon emissions in Brazil. However, data on these emissions are highly uncertain because of the spatial and temporal variability of the aboveground biomass (AGB) in this biome. Remote-sensing data combined with local vegetation inventories provide the means to quantify the AGB at large scales. Here, we quantify the spatial distribution of woody AGB in the Rio Vermelho watershed, located in the centre of the Cerrado, at a high spatial resolution of 30 metres, with a random forest (RF) machine-learning approach. We produced the first high-resolution map of the AGB for a region in the Brazilian Cerrado using a combination of vegetation inventory plots, airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, and multispectral and radar satellite images (Landsat 8 and ALOS-2/PALSAR-2). A combination of random forest (RF) models and jackknife analyses enabled us to select the best remote-sensing variables to quantify the AGB on a large scale. Overall, the relationship between the ground data from vegetation inventories and remote-sensing variables was strong (R2 = 0.89), with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 7.58 Mg ha−1 and a bias of 0.43 Mg ha−1