AMP-activated kinase in human spermatozoa: Identification, intracellular localization, and key function in the regulation of sperm motility

AMP‑activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates energy balance and metabolism, has recently been identified in boar spermatozoa where regulates key functional sperm processes essential for fertilization. This work’s aims are AMPK identification, intracellular localization, and their role in human spermatozoa function. Semen was obtained from healthy human donors. Sperm AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK were analyzed by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. High‑ and low‑quality sperm populations were separated by a 40%–80% density gradient. Human spermatozoa motility was evaluated by an Integrated Semen Analysis System (ISAS) in the presence or absence of the AMPK inhibitor compound C (CC). AMPK is localized along the human spermatozoa, at the entire acrosome, midpiece and tail with variable intensity, whereas its active form, phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK, shows a prominent staining at the acrosome and sperm tail with a weaker staining in the midpiece and the postacrosomal region. Interestingly, spermatozoa bearing an excess residual cytoplasm show strong AMPK staining in this subcellular compartment. Both AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK human spermatozoa contents exhibit important individual variations. Moreover, active AMPK is predominant in the high motility sperm population, where shows a stronger intensity compared with the low motility sperm population. Inhibition of AMPK activity in human spermatozoa by CC treatment leads to a significant reduction in any sperm motility parameter analyzed: percent of motile sperm, sperm velocities, progressivity, and other motility coefficients. This work identifies and points out AMPK as a new molecular mechanism involved in human spermatozoa motility. Further AMPK implications in the clinical efficiency of assisted reproduction and in other reproductive areas need to be studied.Trabajo patrocinado por: Mutua Madrileña. Beca Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayudas JUEX‑IBI13121, PCJ1008, GR10125, y GR10156 Fundación Tatiana Pérez Guzmán el Bueno. Beca para Violeta Calle Guisado Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Beca Predoctoral FPU para Violeta Calle GuisadopeerReviewe

Abordaje psicocomunitario. Experiencia de tratamiento en el CSM de Aiala-Llodio.

Introducción: Exponemos una descripción de los trastornos mentales no graves atendidos en una época de fuerte impacto de crisis económica y se comparan con épocas anteriores más benignas. Así mismo, se describe la actitud que hemos desarrollado hacia la patología no grave haciendo sobre todo hincapié en la intervención psicosocial.Material y Métodos: Pacientes nuevos atendidos en los cinco primeros meses del año 2012 y se discrimina a aquellos catalogados como trastorno mental no grave. En estos, valoramos la existencia de problemas psicosociales, laborales, económicos y del grupo primario de apoyo, asÍ como las actuaciones en el marco psicosocial que hemos llevado a cabo o a las que hemos derivado.Resultados: hasta en el 70% de los casos existen problemas psicosociales y entendemos que dichos factores pueden ser condicionantes importantes en los trastornos. Entendemos que el tener medidas claras de intervención psicosocial es fundamental más allá de un abordaje principalmente clínico.Conclusiones: Muchas veces se ha propugnado que el trastorno mental no grave debe ser atendido, casi exclusivamente por Atención Primaria. Desde nuestra experiencia entendemos que desde los Centros de Salud mental y con una buena coordinación tanto con servicios sociales, atención primaria y diversas asociaciones de intervención psicosocial, se puede desarrollar una labor fundamental.

Wikipedia como herramienta de aprendizaje en el EEES en Economía y Empresa

Memoria ID12-0156. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2012-2013

NADPH oxidases: key modulators in aging and age-related cardiovascular diseases?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress have long been linked to aging and diseases prominent in the elderly such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (AF). NADPH oxidases (Nox) are a major source of ROS in the vasculature and are key players in mediating redox signalling under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In this review, we focus on the Nox-mediated ROS signalling pathways involved in the regulation of 'longevity genes' and recapitulate their role in age-associated vascular changes and in the development of age-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review is predicated on burgeoning knowledge that Nox-derived ROS propagate tightly regulated yet varied signalling pathways, which, at the cellular level, may lead to diminished repair, the aging process and predisposition to CVDs. In addition, we briefly describe emerging Nox therapies and their potential in improving the health of the elderly population

Lattice Kinetic Modeling of the Anisotropic Growth of Two- Dimensional Islands on Barite (001) Surface.

In this paper, we present simulations of twodimensional islands on the barite (001) face. These simulations were performed with MMonCa, a computer code based on the kinetic Monte Carlo technique. Our results are in excellent agreement with previous in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations. Indeed, MMonCa is able to precisely reproduce both the thickness and the characteristic fan shape of barite (001) two-dimensional islands, which is defined by two straight steps parallel to the ⟨120⟩ directions and a curved step connecting them. An addition, MMonCa also simulates the orientation reversal of islands in successive growth monolayers. Fundamental for the adequate reproduction of the shape of barite (001) islands is the introduction of an anisotropy factor for the incorporation of growth units into crystallographically nonequivalent step edges. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the consideration of simple crystallographic and geometrical constraints can be enough to provide a consistent explanation for the development of complex nanotopographies during the growth of crystals.Unión Europea. FP7Depto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Lattice Kinetic Modeling of the Anisotropic Growth of Two-Dimensional Islands on Barite (001) Surface

In this paper, we present simulations of two-dimensional islands on the barite (001) face. These simulations were performed with MMonCa, a computer code based on the kinetic Monte Carlo technique. Our results are in excellent agreement with previous <i>in situ</i> atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations. Indeed, MMonCa is able to precisely reproduce both the thickness and the characteristic fan shape of barite (001) two-dimensional islands, which is defined by two straight steps parallel to the ⟨120⟩ directions and a curved step connecting them. In addition, MMonCa also simulates the orientation reversal of islands in successive growth monolayers. Fundamental for the adequate reproduction of the shape of barite (001) islands is the introduction of an anisotropy factor for the incorporation of growth units into crystallographically nonequivalent step edges. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the consideration of simple crystallographic and geometrical constraints can be enough to provide a consistent explanation for the development of complex nanotopographies during the growth of crystals