Effects of Selective Deafferentation on the Discharge Characteristics of Medial Rectus Motoneurons

Medial rectus motoneurons receive two main pontine inputs: abducens internuclear neurons, whose axons course through the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), and neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus, whose axons project through the ascending tract of Deiters (ATD). Abducens internuclear neurons are responsible for conjugate gaze in the horizontal plane, whereas ATD neurons provide medial rectus motoneurons with a vestibular input comprising mainly head velocity. To reveal the relative contribution of each input to the oculomotor physiology, single-unit recordings from medial rectus motoneurons were obtained in the control situation and after selective deafferentation from cats with unilateral transection of either the MLF or the ATD. Both MLF and ATD transection produced similar short-term alterations in medial rectus motoneuron firing pattern, which were more drastic in MLF of animals. However, long-term recordings revealed important differences between the two types of lesion. Thus, while the effects of the MLF section were permanent, 2 months after ATD lesioning all motoneuronal firing parameters were similar to the control. These findings indicated a more relevant role of the MLF pathway in driving motoneuronal firing and evidenced compensatory mechanisms following the ATD lesion. Confocal immunocytochemistry revealed that MLF transection produced also a higher loss of synaptic boutons, mainly at the dendritic level. Moreover, 2 months after ATD transection, we observed an increase in synaptic coverage around motoneuron cell bodies compared with short-term data, which is indicative of a synaptogenic compensatory mechanism of the abducens internuclear pathway that could lead to the observed firing and morphological recovery. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Eye movements rely on multiple neuronal circuits for appropriate performance. The abducens internuclear pathway through the medial longitudinal fascicle (MLF) and the vestibular neurons through the ascending tract of Deiters (ATD) are a dual system that supports the firing of medial rectus motoneurons. We report the effect of sectioning the MLF or the ATD pathway on the firing of medial rectus motoneurons, as well as the plastic mechanisms by which one input compensates for the lack of the other. This work shows that while the effects of MLF transection are permanent, the ATD section produces transitory effects. A mechanism based on axonal sprouting and occupancy of the vacant synaptic space due to deafferentation is the base for the mechanism of compensation on the medial rectus motoneuron

LA COMUNICACIÓN INTERPERSONAL POR UNA LONGEVIDAD SATISFACTORIA DESDE UNA LOCALIDAD CUBANA.

The Cuban High Education had been inserted in the locality and municipality, so that the Elderly Population Cathedra in the University was founded in this context. The present research was done in the Municipal University Center of Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus province, due to the need to contribute to the education in the elderly population at the community, who needs to be effective during communication in the cultural divulgation in different sceneries, essential goal of this research. The interpersonal communication is an aspect that limits the effectiveness educational process. This aspect has specifically characteristics in elderly population in this epoch in which the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are essential. For the research the qualitative methodology was used with the support of qualitative and quantitative techniques recommended by the academy of communicators. The document analysis, the participate observation; interview, the questioner and Delphi method were used. The authors proposed a methodology which integrates those elements. The detailed diagnosis about the state of interpersonal communication of the integrant of this cathedra was obtained. The quality of communication was regular. The development of communicative skillful of elderly population actions were conformed to systemic focus, that involucrate the professors, communication and language and literature specialists and local institutions.  La Educación Superior Cubana se ha insertado en localidades y municipios, con ello se fundó la Cátedra Universitaria del Adulto Mayor en estos contextos. La presente investigación se realizó en el Centro Universitario Municipal de Cabaiguán, provincia de Sancti Spíritus, por la necesidad de contribuir a la educación de los adultos mayores de la comunidad, quienes necesitan ser efectivos durante la comunicación para la divulgación cultural en los entornos en que se desenvuelve, objetivo esencial de la misma. Uno de los aspectos que limita la efectividad de los procesos educativos es la comunicación interpersonal. Este aspecto muestra características específicas en las personas mayores, en una época donde el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC) son esenciales. Para el estudio se utilizó la metodología cualitativa con el soporte de técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas recomendadas por la academia de comunicadores. Entre estos se refiere el análisis de documentos, la observación participante, la entrevista, la encuesta, y el método Delphi. Las autoras proponen una metodología que integra estos elementos. Se obtuvo un diagnóstico detallado sobre el estado de la comunicación interpersonal en los integrantes de dicha cátedra, la evaluación de la calidad de la comunicación fue regular. Para el desarrollo de habilidades comunicativas de personas mayores se conformaron acciones con un enfoque sistémico, con la participación del colectivo de profesores, especialistas en comunicación, literatura y lengua hispana e instituciones locales

Caracterización de tuberculosis en provincia Guantánamo, 2012-2019

Introduction: facing tuberculosis is a social and professional responsibility that requires characterization of the disease, not quite achieved in Guantanamo in the last decade. Objective: to characterize tuberculosis in patients in the province of Guantanamo in the period from 2012 to 2019. Method: the research population was the total of patients diagnosed with the disease (n=136). The following variables were taken into account: age, gender, location of the infection, results on the smear microscopy, categorization of the patient at the time of discharge and the risk groups for tuberculosis. The information was gathered through the records on the every year list of notifiable diseases, and epidemiologic surveys in the areas of infection, and it was summed up in absolute values and percentage. Results: in the 80.1 % of the cases of tuberculosis, the infection was located in the lungs, and the diagnose by positive smear microscopy (63.2 %) was more common. The 76.7 % of the patients with a positive smear microscopy were male. The most common risk groups for tuberculosis were: smokers (26.4 %), immunosuppressed patients (21.6 %) and alcoholism (19.1 %). Conclusions: In Guantanamo province, the lung-located tuberculosis prevails; and also the patients with a positive smear microscopy. Patients are mostly male, with ages ranging from 45 to 54 years old, all of them with a recent diagnosis. The disease has a greater incidence rate on those with an immunosuppression, smoking or alcoholism background.Introducción: la lucha contra la tuberculosis es una responsabilidad social y profesional que requiere de su caracterización, la que no se ha realizado en Guantánamo en la última década.Objetivo: caracterizar la tuberculosis en pacientes de la provincia Guantánamo durante el periodo comprendido entre 2012 y 2019. Método: El universo se constituyó por el total de pacientes diagnosticados (n=136). Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, localización de la enfermedad, resultados de la baciloscopia, categoría al egreso y grupos de riesgo de tuberculosis. La información se obtuvo mediante los registros de enfermedades de declaración obligatoria cada año, y las encuestas epidemiológicas de los controles de focos realizados, y se resumió en números absolutos y porcentajes. Resultados: en el 80,1 % de los casos la tuberculosis se localizó en los pulmones, y fue más común el diagnóstico de pacientes con baciloscopia positiva (63,2 %). El 76,7 % de los pacientes con baciloscopia positiva fueron masculinos. Los grupos de riesgos para tuberculosis más usuales fueron: fumadores (26.4 %), inmunodeprimidos (21,6 %) y el alcoholismo (19,1 %). Conclusiones: en la provincia Guantánamo prevalece la tuberculosis de localización pulmonar y los pacientes con bacteriología positiva. Los afectados sobre todo son hombres, tienen edad entre 45 a 54 años y son de reciente diagnóstico. La enfermedad incide más en aquellos con antecedente de ser fumadores, inmunodeprimidos y los alcohólicos

Extraocular motoneurons of the adult rat show higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1 than other cranial motoneurons

Recent studies show a relationship between the deficit of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and motoneuronal degeneration, such as that occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). VEGF delivery protects motoneurons from cell death and delayed neurodegeneration in animal models of ALS. Strikingly, extraocular motoneurons show lesser vulnerability to neurodegeneration in ALS compared to other cranial or spinal motoneurons. Therefore, the present study investigates possible differences in VEGF and its main receptor VEGFR-2 or Flk-1 between extraocular and non-extraocular brainstem motoneurons. We performed immunohistochemistry and Western blot to determine the presence of VEGF and Flk-1 in rat motoneurons located in the three extraocular motor nuclei (abducens, trochlear and oculomotor) and to compare it to that observed in two other brainstem nuclei (hypoglossal and facial) that are vulnerable to degeneration. Extraocular motoneurons presented higher amounts of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 than other brainstem motoneurons, and thus these molecules could be participating in their higher resistance to neurodegeneration. In conclusion, we hypothesize that differences in VEGF availability and signaling could be a contributing factor to the different susceptibility of extraocular motoneurons, when compared with other motoneurons, in neurodegenerative diseases

Extraocular Motor System Exhibits a Higher Expression of Neurotrophins When Compared with Other Brainstem Motor Systems

Extraocular motoneurons resist degeneration in diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The main objective of the present work was to characterize the presence of neurotrophins in extraocular motoneurons and muscles of the adult rat. We also compared these results with those obtained from other cranial motor systems, such as facial and hypoglossal, which indeed suffer neurodegeneration. Immunocytochemical analysis was used to describe the expression of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in oculomotor, trochlear, abducens, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei of adult rats, and Western blots were used to describe the presence of neurotrophins in extraocular, facial (buccinator), and tongue muscles, which are innervated by the above-mentioned motoneurons. In brainstem samples, brain-derived neurotrophic factor was present both in extraocular and facial motoneuron somata, and to a lesser degree, in hypoglossal motoneurons. Neurotrophin-3 was present in extraocular motor nuclei, while facial and hypoglossal motoneurons were almost devoid of this protein. Finally, nerve growth factor was not present in the soma of any group of motoneurons, although it was present in dendrites of motoneurons located in the neuropil. Neuropil optical density levels were higher in extraocular motoneuron nuclei when compared with facial and hypoglossal nuclei. Neurotrophins could be originated in target muscles, since Western blot analyses revealed the presence of the three molecules in all sampled muscles, to a larger extent in extraocular muscles when compared with facial and tongue muscles. We suggest that the different neurotrophin availability could be related to the particular resistance of extraocular motoneurons to neurodegeneration.MINECO BFU2012-33975MINECO BFU2015-64515-P

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Departamentos de Bolívar, Córdoba y Sucre.

A lo largo de la historia Colombia ha presentado innumerables sucesos de violencia, desplazamiento armados, lucha de poder entre la milicia nacional y los grupos al margen de la ley, lucha contra el cultivo de las drogas, narcotráfico, la pobreza, analfabetismo, abuso de poder, corrupción, entre otros. Todos estos conflictos internos tienen sus protagonistas, con rol de víctimas y victimarios. En el presente trabajo se realiza un análisis muy riguroso sobre el relato de Alfredo Campo, un integrante de la comunidad indígena de la vereda Las Brisas, el sr Campo es víctima de desplazamiento por grupos armados, actualmente es un líder reconocido por su comunidad en el ámbito de la comunicación radial, ha sido una víctima resiliente y empoderado, que a través de redes de apoyo ha podido superar estas situaciones y ver el lado positivo, ha logrado salir adelante pese a las circunstancias de su pasado y su presente, por razones ajenas a su voluntad aún se encuentra lejos de su familia y comunidad natal . Este caso es analizado desde la imagen y narrativa para abordar el ámbito psicosocial, para ello se presentan cinco preguntas relaciones con el relato de Alfredo Campo, para su complemente se realizan tres preguntas circulares, tres reflexivas y tres estratégicas con su respectiva justificación. Asimismo se realiza el análisis en el caso de Peñas Coloradas, generando reflexiones de su abordaje; un caso donde se evidencia el desplazamiento social victimas de hostigamiento militar, para el análisis de este se desarrollan cinco preguntas enfocadas en la imagen y narrativa como abordaje psicosocial y una de ellas propone estrategias, con sus objetivos, fases, acciones a implementar y el impacto deseado para la comunidad. Por último, se encuentra el informe analítico de la experiencia de foto voz, en el que se identifican los hechos del conflicto armado con su respectivo fundamento y análisis, en zonas como Montecristo Bolívar, Pichilin Sucre, vereda Santa Isabel del Manso de Córdoba, Chinulito Sucre y el Carmen de Bolívar, comunidades que han sido víctimas de los conflictos que a lo largo de la historia se han vivido en Colombia.Throughout history, Colombia has presented countless events of violence, armed displacement, power struggle between the national militia and illegal groups, the fight against drug cultivation, drug trafficking, poverty, illiteracy, abuse of power, corruption, among others. All these internal conflicts have their protagonists, with the role of victims and perpetrators. In this paper a very rigorous analysis is carried out on the story of Alfredo Campo, a member of the indigenous community of the Las Brisas village, Mr. Campo is a victim of displacement by armed groups, he is currently a leader recognized by his community in the In the field of radio communication, he has been a resilient and empowered victim, who through support networks has been able to overcome these situations and see the positive side, has managed to move forward despite the circumstances of his past and present, for reasons beyond his control. At his will, he is still far from his family and native community. This case is analyzed from the image and narrative to address the psychosocial field, for this, five questions related to the story of Alfredo Campo are presented, to complement it, three circular questions are asked, three reflective and three strategic with their respective justification. Likewise, the analysis is carried out in the case of Peñas Coloradas, generating reflections on its approach; a case where the social displacement of victims of military harassment is evidenced, for the analysis of this five questions are developed focused on the image and narrative as a psychosocial approach and one of them proposes strategies, with its objectives, phases, actions to be implemented and the impact desired for the community. Finally, there is the analytical report of the photo voice experience, which identifies the events of the armed conflict with their respective basis and analysis, in areas such as Montecristo Bolívar, Pichilin Sucre, Santa Isabel del Manso de Córdoba, Chinulito. Sucre and Carmen de Bolívar, communities that have been victims of the conflicts that throughout history have lived in Colombia

Hepatitis B and C virus’ infection in hemodialysed patients

Introduction: Patients subjected to hemodialysis treatment are a high risk group for hepatitis B and C infection. Objective: To identify molecular and serologic markers of hepatitis B and C viral infection in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Was performed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study including 103 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis regime from Cuba’s Western and Central regions. The samples were received between January and April 2016 to study serologic and molecular markers of hepatitis B and C to be performed at the Gastroenterology’s Institute. Seroprevalence of anti HCV, HBsAg and Anti S was estimated, plus viral load determinations using amplification test to measuring nucleic acids DNA and RNA for hepatitis B and C respectively. Associations were evaluated using the x2 statistician. Results: 7.8% of hemodialysis patients were inactive carriers of hepatitis B. The 70.8% of patients had infection markers of hepatitis C virus; being hepatitis C hidden viremia in 18.4% of them. Conclusions: High prevalence of infection and hepatitis C hidden viremia in hemodialysis patients. Keywords: Hemodialysis patients, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C, surface’s antigen, hidden infection.</p

Explicando la impresión lejos de los talleres de la UAM

3er Coloquio Fortalecimiento de los Colectivos de Docencia.Se consideran las limitantes y ventajas en la impartición de las UEAS: Tecnología para el Diseño Gráfico II. Introducción a las Artes Gráficas y Tecnología para el Diseño Gráfico IV. Preprensa y DTP. Se trabajo en la búsqueda de actividades que permitieran un aprendizaje significativo, las estrategias de enseñanza-aprendizaje han requerido de un gran esfuerzo y creatividad. Fue útil reflexionar en la utilidad de lo que se ha estado haciendo por mucho tiempo y como se podría modificar; se observó que algunas actividades y temas se pueden simplificar mucho, incluso eliminarlos o combinarlos y generar actividades diferentes desde una nueva perspectiva

Consideraciones en torno a un modelo semipresencial para la UEA de medios impresos

3er Coloquio Fortalecimiento de los Colectivos de Docencia.Tomando en consideración las experiencias derivadas del trabajo en el Programa Emergente de Educación Remota (PEER), los integrantes del subcolectivo de medios impresos, queremos compartir algunas consideraciones y estrategias que surgen de la reflexión en torno a la posibilidad que se tiene de un regreso a las aulas, específicamente para las UEAS de tipo teórico-práctico correspondientes a nuestro colectivo tomando en consideración la posible implementación de un modelo semipresencial