62 research outputs found

    Beyond new neurons in the adult hippocampus: imipramine acts as a pro-astrogliogenic factor and rescues cognitive impairments induced by stress exposure

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    Depression is a prevalent, socially burdensome disease. Different studies have demonstrated the important role of astrocytes in the pathophysiology of depression as modulators of neurotransmission and neurovascular coupling. This is evidenced by astrocyte impairments observed in brains of depressed patients and the appearance of depressive-like behaviors upon astrocytic dysfunctions in animal models. However, little is known about the importance of de novo generated astrocytes in the mammalian brain and in particular its possible involvement in the precipitation of depression and in the therapeutic actions of current antidepressants (ADs). Therefore, we studied the modulation of astrocytes and adult astrogliogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rats exposed to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) protocol, untreated and treated for two weeks with antidepressants—fluoxetine and imipramine. Our results show that adult astrogliogenesis in the DG is modulated by stress and imipramine. This study reveals that distinct classes of ADs impact differently in the astrogliogenic process, showing different cellular mechanisms relevant to the recovery from behavioral deficits induced by chronic stress exposure. As such, in addition to those resident, the newborn astrocytes in the hippocampal DG might also be promising therapeutic targets for future therapies in the neuropsychiatric field.ARMS: ELC, NDA, PP, AMP, JSC, MM, AJR, JFO, and L.P. received fellowships from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (IF/00328/2015 to J.F.O.; 2020.02855.CEECIND to LP). This work was funded by FCT (IF/01079/2014, PTDC/MED-NEU/31417/2017 Grant to JFO), BIAL Foundation Grants (037/18 to J.F.O. and 427/14 to L.P.), “la Caixa” Foundation Health Research Grant (LCF/PR/HR21/52410024) and Nature Research Award for Driving Global Impact—2019 Brain Sciences (to L.P.). This was also co-funded by the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), and by FEDER, through the Competitiveness Internationalization Operational Program (POCI), and by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020. Moreover, this work has been funded by ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122; by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020; “la Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434 to A.J.R.), under the agreement LCF/PR/HR20/52400020; and the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 101003187 to A.J.R.)

    Manual de mentoria : Programa do Politécnico de Viseu

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    A implementação dos princípios da educação inclusiva no Ensino Superior (ES) é um desafio à própria academia, docentes e estudantes, concretizável através da implementação de Programas de Tutoria/Mentoria. A educação inclusiva foi originalmente desenvolvida para estudantes mais jovens, antes da sua aplicação ao ES. No entanto, à medida que aumenta a heterogeneidade de estudantes no ES, tem aumentado também a necessidade de implementação de práticas inclusivas neste contexto académico. A missão das instituições de ES centra-se na promoção do desempenho e na preparação dos estudantes para a competitividade global, promovendo a excelência educacional e garantindo a igualdade no acesso. Cada vez mais as instituições de ensino superior (IES) têm incentivado e atraído estudantes de diversas origens e experiências, requerendo esforços para criar comunidades académicas inclusivas e acolhedoras para todos os estudantes. Com esta nova realidade, as IES têm procurado desenvolver estratégias de inclusão educativa em que as premissas passam por reconhecer a importância de um trabalho centrado na diversidade, equidade, inclusão de todos os estudantes, e restante comunidade académica, independentemente das suas características pessoais, situacionais ou culturais (Newman & Conway, 2016, pp. 100-101). No contexto de práticas inclusivas no ES, assume toda a importância fornecer aos estudantes o acesso a orientações que os levem a sentir-se plenamente incluídos, tendo em conta a prevalência da diversidade dos estudantes que ingressam no ES. A mentoria/tutoria pode ser eficaz no tratamento de questões-chave e problemas que as instituições do ES atualmente enfrentam, incluindo a necessidade de aumentar as taxas de conclusão dos cursos, reduzir o abandono escolar e as desigualdades nos resultados em grupos sub-representados, bem como ampliar a participação de todos os estudantes na vida académica, sem qualquer exclusão. Por outro lado, os estudantes também enfrentam muitos desafios, decorrentes do desconhecimento da organização e dinâmica institucional, como carga horária, quantidade e diversidade de matéria lecionada, ambiente académico e meio envolvente, processo no qual, a experiência prévia do mentor pode ser fundamental. Os estudantes envolvidos em programas de mentoria/tutoria desenvolvem mais conhecimento teórico e prático, com aplicação na futura vida profissional (Arnesson & Albinsson, 2017, pp. 202-203). Os programas de mentoria/tutoria definem-se como uma troca de conhecimentos e experiências entre mentor e mentorado. Além disso, a orientação é descrita como um processo democrático em que os pensamentos, as reflexões e os conhecimentos são aprofundados e resultam em práticas inclusivas. Um mentor é uma pessoa que contribui com o seu conhecimento, experiência e perspetivas, ou seja, está subjacente a ideia de que o mentor dá orientação ao mentorado no seu desenvolvimento pessoal e académico. O mentor, neste processo, desenvolve-se profissionalmente e o mentorado desenvolve-se a nível psicossocial. O mentor também pode ser descrito como uma pessoa sensata que tem interesse no apoio às pessoas menos experientes. Na prática, a mentoria/tutoria pode ser resumida como uma combinação de apoio emocional e prático (Arnesson & Albinsson, 2017, p. 203).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Tarteso. Nuevas Fronteras (II)

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    El presente volumen recoge las contribuciones presentadas al II Congreso Internacional sobre Tarteso, Nuevas Fronteras, que tuvo lugar en Mérida entre los días 17 y 19 de noviembre de 2021. Su lectura permite un viaje desde el extremo oriental del Mediterráneo hasta el suroeste de la península ibérica, mostrando las diversas realidades históricas acontecidas en este territorio durante la I Edad del Hierro. El objetivo de esta publicación es mostrar la situación que atravesaba el Mediterráneo durante los años de surgimiento y desarrollo de la cultura tartésica para así comprender mejor la formación y evolución de dicha cultura. El conocimiento de Tarteso ha evolucionado sensiblemente en la última década, desde la celebración y publicación de las actas del I Congreso Internacional, Tarteso. El emporio del metal (Almuzara, 2013). La incorporación de nuevas voces y visiones enfocadas al conocimiento de la protohistoria peninsular, así como de algunos temas nunca antes abordados en el conocimiento de Tarteso, permiten presentar en este volumen una visión renovada, donde destaca la incorporación de unos nuevos límites territoriales para esta cultura.Esta publicación se ha beneficiado de las siguientes ayudas para su financiación: Proyecto de Investigación del Plan Nacional I+D+i: “Construyendo Tarteso 2.0: análisis constructivo, espacial y territorial de un modelo arquitectónico en el valle medio del Guadiana” (PID2019-108180GBI00), financiado por MCIN (AEI/10.13039/501100011033). Subvención global de la Secretaría General de Ciencia, Tecnología, Innovación y Universidad de la Junta de Extremadura al Instituto de Arqueología.Peer reviewe

    Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

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    Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

    Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

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    There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

    Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

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    : The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

    Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

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    Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat
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