Immunoregulatory Actions of Epithelial Cell PPAR γ at the Colonic Mucosa of Mice with Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors are nuclear receptors highly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and immune cells within the gut mucosa and are implicated in modulating inflammation and immune responses. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of targeted deletion of PPAR gamma in IEC on progression of experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the first phase, PPAR gamma flfl; Villin Cre- (VC-) and PPAR gamma flfl; Villin Cre+ (VC+) mice in a mixed FVB/C57BL/6 background were challenged with 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for 0, 2, or 7 days. VC+ mice express a transgenic recombinase under the control of the Villin-Cre promoter that causes an IEC-specific deletion of PPAR gamma. In the second phase, we generated VC- and VC+ mice in a C57BL/6 background that were challenged with 2.5% DSS. Mice were scored on disease severity both clinically and histopathologically. Flow cytometry was used to phenotypically characterize lymphocyte and macrophage populations in blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Global gene expression analysis was profiled using Affymetrix microarrays. The IEC-specific deficiency of PPAR gamma in mice with a mixed background worsened colonic inflammatory lesions, but had no effect on disease activity (DAI) or weight loss. In contrast, the IEC-specific PPAR gamma null mice in C57BL/6 background exhibited more severe inflammatory lesions, DAI and weight loss in comparison to their littermates expressing PPAR gamma in IEC. Global gene expression profiling revealed significantly down-regulated expression of lysosomal pathway genes and flow cytometry results demonstrated suppressed production of IL-10 by CD4+ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of IEC-specific PPAR gamma null mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate that adequate expression of PPAR gamma in IEC is required for the regulation of mucosal immune responses and prevention of experimental IBD, possibly by modulation of lysosomal and antigen presentation pathways

Effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition in Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae during the Artemia feeding period

We examined the effect of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) on growth, survival, pigmentation and fatty acid composition of Senegal sole larvae using a dose-response design. From 3 to 40 days post hatch (dph), larvae were fed live food that had been enriched using one of four experimental emulsions containing graduated concentrations of EPA and constant docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA). Proportions of EPA in the enriched Artemia nauplii were described as “nil” (EPA-N, 0.5% total fatty acids, TFA), “low” (EPA-L, 10.7% TFA), “medium” (EPA-M, 20.3% TFA) or “high” (EPA-H, 29.5% TFA). Significant differences among dietary treatments in larval length were observed at 25, 30 and 40 dph, and in dry weight at 30 and 40 dph, although no significant correlation could be found between dietary EPA content and growth. The stage of eye migration at 17 and 25 dph was significantly affected by dietary levels of EPA. Significantly lower survival was observed in fish fed EPA-H enriched nauplii. A significantly lower percentage of fish fed EPA-N (82.7%) and EPA-L (82.9%) diets were normally pigmented compared to the fish fed EPA-M (98.1%) and EPA-H (99.4%) enriched nauplii. Tissue fatty acid concentrations reflected the corresponding dietary composition. Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid levels in all the tissues examined were inversely related to dietary EPA. There was an increase in the proportion of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3, DPA) in the tissues relative to the diet, which is indicative of chain elongation of EPA. This work concluded that Senegal sole larvae have a very low EPA requirement during the live feeding period

A Modeling Framework to Assess Strategies Alignment based on Collaborative Network Emotions

[DE] The Collaborative Networks (CN) discipline has been largely studied in last decades, addressing different problems and proposing solutions for the robust establishment of collaborative processes, within the enterprises willing to collaborate. The main aim of CN research is, therefore, to generate approaches that enable creating effective relationships in the long term, to achieve stable and agile alliances. The concept of alignment among the CN partners has been considered since the beginning of CN research. Nevertheless, novel perspectives of study in CN, such as the consideration of collaborative emotional states, within the CN, have been introduced in recent years. This paper connects the research area of strategies alignment and the CN emotion models. Accordingly, a modelling framework to assess strategies alignment considering the emotional environment within the CN is proposed. The modelling framework allows representing how the enterprises emotions affect in the selection and alignment of formulated enterprises¿ strategiesAndres, B.; Ferrada, F.; Poler, R.; Camarinha-Matos, L. (2018). A Modeling Framework to Assess Strategies Alignment based on Collaborative Network Emotions. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 534:349-361. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99127-6_30S349361534Camarinha-Matos, L.M.: Collaborative networks in industry and the role of PRO-VE. Int. J. Prod. Manag. Eng. 2(2), 53–57 (2014)Andres, B., Poler, R.: Models, guidelines and tools for the integration of collaborative processes in non-hierarchical manufacturing networks: a review. Int. J. Comput. Integr. Manuf. 2(29), 166–201 (2016)Bititci, U., Martinez, V., Albores, P., Parung, J.: Creating and managing value in collaborative networks. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 34(3/4), 251–268 (2004)Carbo, B.: Align the organization for improved supply chain performance. ASCET Proj. 2, 244–447 (2002)Macedo, P., Camarinha-Matos, L.: Value systems alignment analysis in collaborative networked organizations management. Appl. Sci. 7(12), 123 (2017)Andres, B., Poler, R.: A decision support system for the collaborative selection of strategies in enterprise networks. Decis. Support Syst. 91, 113–123 (2016)Andres, B., Macedo, P., Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Poler, R.: Achieving coherence between strategies and value systems in collaborative networks. In: Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H. (eds.) PRO-VE 2014. IFIP AICT, vol. 434, pp. 261–272. Springer, Heidelberg (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44745-1_26Ferrada, F., Camarinha-Matos, L.M.: A system dynamics and agent-based approach to model emotions in collaborative networks. In: Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Parreira-Rocha, M., Ramezani, J. (eds.) DoCEIS 2017. IFIP AICT, vol. 499, pp. 29–43. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56077-9_3Campuzano, F., Mula, J.: Supply Chain Simulation. A System Dynamics Approach for Improving Performance. Springer, London (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-719-8Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H.: Collaborative networks: a new scientific discipline. J. Intell. Manuf. 16(4–5), 439–452 (2005)Vicsek, T.: Complexity: the bigger picture. Nature 418(6894), 131 (2002)Sterman, J., Richardson, G., Davidsen, P.: Modelling the estimation of petroleum resources in the United States. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Chang. 33(3), 219–249 (1998)Vlachos, D., Georgiadis, P., Iakovou, E.: A system dynamics model for dynamic capacity planning of remanufacturing in closed-loop supply chains. Comput. Oper. Res. 34(2), 367–394 (2007)Campuzano-Bolarín, F., Mula, J., Peidro, D.: An extension to fuzzy estimations and system dynamics for improving supply chains. Int. J. Prod. Res. 51(10), 3156–3166 (2013)Barton, P., Bryan, S., Robinson, S.: Modelling in the economic evaluation of health care: selecting the appropriate approach. J. Heal. Serv. Res. Policy 9(2), 110–118 (2004)Eldabi, T., Paul, R.J., Young, T.: Simulation modelling in healthcare: reviewing legacies and investigating futures. J. Oper. Res. Soc. Spec. Issue Oper. Res. Heal. 58(2), 262–270 (2007)Andres, B., Poler, R., Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H.: A simulation approach to assess partners selected for a collaborative network. Int. J. Simul. Model. 16(3), 399–411 (2017)Gohari, A., Mirchi, A., Madan, K.: System dynamics evaluation of climate change adaptation strategies for water resources management in central Iran. Water Resour. Manag. 31(5), 1413–1434 (2007)Fishera, D., Norvell, J., Sonka, S., Nelson, M.J.: Understanding technology adoption through system dynamics modeling: implications for agribusiness management. Int. Food Agribus. Manag. Rev. 3, 281–296 (2000)Lyneisa, J.M.: System dynamics for market forecasting and structural analysis. Syst. Dyn. Rev. 16(1), 3–25 (2000)Borshchev, A., Filippov, A.: From system dynamics and discrete event to practical agent based modeling: reasons, techniques, tools. In: The 22nd International Conference of the System Dynamics Society (2004)Ferrada, F.: C-EMO: A Modeling Framework for Collaborative Network Emotions Doctoral dissertation, Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal (2017). https://run.unl.pt/handle/10362/26857Scherer, K.R.: Emotions are emergent processes: they require a dynamic computational architecture. Rev. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Biol. Sci. 364(1535), 3459–3474 (2009

Learning ethical, environmental and professional responsibility at Universitat Politècnica de València. Where are we?

[EN] This paper presents a study on the development of the cross-curricular learning outcome (CCLO) "Ethical, environmental and professional responsibility" for students of different Bachelor's Degrees taught at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain). The work involved in the development of this learning outcome entails great complexity, given the double dimension of responsibility that it involves. At the end of their training at the university, students are expected to show ethical, environmental, and professional responsibility towards themselves and others. Interviews have been conducted with lecturers who work and assess this outcome in their subjects, most/all of them related to science and engineering. The objective was to identify the learning approach used in the different subjects to guarantee the acquisition of this CCLO by the students. A focus group has also been carried out with students to determine the importance they give to this learning outcome, and to know their degree of satisfaction with the training received. The methodology used to obtain the data from lecturers and students and to process the information to get a precise diagnosis is fully described in the paper. Results are satisfactory to some extent: most of the lecturers carry out appropriate activities and most students achieve the expected proficiency level. Finally, recommendations are given to improve the development of this cross-curricular learning outcome.This innovative educational project and the APC of this paper were funded by Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, through the project PIME/20-21/219 "Evaluacion del nivel de adquisicion de la CT07 Responsabilidad etica, medioambiental y profesional en los estudios de grado de la UPV. Propuestas de mejora".Gimenez-Carbo, E.; Gómez-Martín, ME.; Fenollosa Forner, EJ.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Coll-Aliaga, E.; Andrés-Doménech, I.; Sebastiá-Frasquet, M.... (2021). Learning ethical, environmental and professional responsibility at Universitat Politècnica de València. Where are we?. Sustainability. 13(17):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179991S118131

Teaching Modern Languages on Ancient Roots. Anche le pietre parlano

Possono le pietre raccontarci qualcosa? Si possono imparare le lingue osservando i resti archeologici di Verona, Tarragona e Kalamata? Perché le lingue hanno una storia? Perché abbiamo bisogno di rappresentare le parole? In questo volume poniamo anche altri interrogativi e cerchiamo alcune risposte

Photoperiod affects the phenotype of mitochondrial complex I mutants

Plant mutants for genes encoding subunits of mitochondrial Complex I (CI, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), the first enzyme of the respiratory chain, display various phenotypes depending on growth conditions. Here, we examined the impact of photoperiod, a major environmental factor controlling plant development, on two Arabidopsis thaliana CI mutants: a new insertion mutant interrupted in both ndufs8.1 and ndufs8.2 genes encoding the NDUFS8 subunit, and the previously characterized ndufs4 CI mutant. In long day (LD) condition, both ndufs8.1 and ndufs8.2 single mutants were indistinguishable from Col-0 at phenotypic and biochemical levels, whereas the ndufs8.1 ndufs8.2 double mutant was devoid of detectable holo-CI assembly/activity, showed higher AOX content/activity and displayed a growth-retardation phenotype similar to that of the ndufs4 mutant. Although growth was more affected in ndufs4 than ndufs8.1 ndufs8.2 under short day (SD) condition, both mutants displayed a similar impairment of growth acceleration after transfer to LD as compared to the WT. Untargeted and targeted metabolomics showed that overall metabolism was less responsive to the SD-to-LD transition in mutants than in the WT. The typical LD acclimation of carbon, nitrogen-assimilation and redox-related parameters was not observed in ndufs8.1 ndufs8. Similarly, NAD(H) content, that was higher in SD condition in both mutants than in Col-0, did not adjust under LD. We propose that altered redox homeostasis and NAD(H) content/redox state control the phenotype of Complex I mutants and photoperiod acclimation in Arabidopsis

La infusión de linfocitos efectores autólogos en combinación con rituximab de mantenimiento

SP-004 Introducción: La combinación de anticuerpos monoclonales anti CD20 con varios regimenes de quimioterapia se considera el tratamiento estándar en pacientes con linfoma folicular (LF). A pesar de los buenos resultados de este tratamiento, un porcentaje importante de los pacientes no se beneficia de esta terapia ensombreciendo de manera considerable su pronóstico. Nuestra hipótesis es que el tratamiento con una suspensión de linfocitos efectores autólogos expandidos ex vivo (células LAK) podría potenciar el efecto biológico del tratamiento con rituximab (R) mediante el incremento de la actividad ADCC. Investigamos la toxicidad y eficacia de dicho tratamiento con un ensayo clínico fase II. Métodos: Entre 2010 y 2012 se reclutaron 20 pacientes con LF en respuesta tras una primera línea de tratamiento con R-CHOP. El objetivo primario de este ensayo, multicéntrico, prospectivo y de un solo brazo fue evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de la infusión de células LAK (administradas cuatrimestralmente en los ciclos pares de R) en combinación con la pauta estándar de R de mantenimiento bimestral durante 2 años. La producción de células LAK se realizó a partir de células de sangre periférica extraídas en los ciclos impares de R para aislar células mononucleadas y estimularlas y expandirlas en cultivo con interleukina-2 durante 8 semanas. Uno de los objetivos secundarios del ensayo fue la evaluación de los fenotipos celulares y de la potencia biológica de las células LAK midiendo su actividad citotóxica. Este ensayo está registrado en ClinicalTrials.gov con número NCT01329354 Resultados: Se registraron 29 eventos adversos (EA) relacionados con la infusión de las células LAK. Las artralgias y las ..

Financial fragmentation and SMEs’ access to finance

This paper focuses on the impact of financial fragmentation on small and medium enterprises (SMEs)’ access to finance. We combine country-level data on financial fragmentation and the ECB’s SAFE (Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises) data for 12 European Union (EU) countries over 2009-2016. Our findings indicate that an increase in financial fragmentation not only raises the probability of all firms to be rationed but also to be charged higher loan rates; in addition, it increases the likelihood of borrower discouragement and it impairs firms’ perceptions of the future availability of bank funds. Less creditworthy firms are even more likely to become credit rationed, suggesting a flight to quality effect in lending. However, our study also documents a potential adverse effect of increasing bank market power resulting from greater integration. This suggests that financial integration could impair firms’ financing, if not accompanied by policy initiatives aimed at maintaining an optimal level of competition in the banking sector

Information (and library) science at City University London; 50 years of educational development

The development of education for information and library science at City University London over a 50-year period is described in this article. The development of the Masters course in Information Science, and the later equivalent courses in Library Science and in Information Management in the Cultural Sector are described in detail, together with shorter-lived Masters courses in pharmaceutical and health information. The rationale for changes to the courses, and the influence of the professional and educational contexts, are analysed. Issues emerging from this analysis are discussed in seven themes: the nature of the discipline; the library/information spectrum; the student group; the academic/professional balance; curriculum design; local and global issues; and teaching methods. The discussions of the courses are set in the wider context of changes in library/information education over the period in the UK and worldwide