Motoneuron deafferentation and gliosis occur in association with neuromuscular regressive changes during ageing in mice

Background The cellular mechanisms underlying the age‐associated loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) are poorly understood, hampering the development of effective treatment strategies. Here, we performed a detailed characterization of age‐related pathophysiological changes in the mouse neuromuscular system. Methods Young, adult, middle‐aged, and old (1, 4, 14, and 24-30 months old, respectively) C57BL/6J mice were used. Motor behavioural and electrophysiological tests and histological and immunocytochemical procedures were carried out to simultaneously analyse structural, molecular, and functional age‐related changes in distinct cellular components of the neuromuscular system. Results Ageing was not accompanied by a significant loss of spinal motoneurons (MNs), although a proportion (~15%) of them in old mice exhibited an abnormally dark appearance. Dark MNs were also observed in adult (~9%) and young (~4%) animals, suggesting that during ageing, some MNs undergo early deleterious changes, which may not lead to MN death. Old MNs were depleted of cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs (~40% and ~45%, respectively, P < 0.01), suggestive of age‐associated alterations in MN excitability. Prominent microgliosis and astrogliosis [~93% (P < 0.001) and ~100% (P < 0.0001) increase vs. adults, respectively] were found in old spinal cords, with increased density of pro‐inflammatory M1 microglia and A1 astroglia (25‐fold and 4‐fold increase, respectively, P < 0.0001). Ageing resulted in significant reductions in the nerve conduction velocity and the compound muscle action potential amplitude (~30%, P < 0.05, vs. adults) in old distal plantar muscles. Compared with adult muscles, old muscles exhibited significantly higher numbers of both denervated and polyinnervated neuromuscular junctions, changes in fibre type composition, higher proportion of fibres showing central nuclei and lipofuscin aggregates, depletion of satellite cells, and augmented expression of different molecules related to development, plasticity, and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions, including calcitonin gene‐related peptide, growth associated protein 43, agrin, fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1, and transforming growth factor‐β1. Overall, these alterations occurred at varying degrees in all the muscles analysed, with no correlation between the age‐related changes observed and myofiber type composition or muscle topography. Conclusions Our data provide a global view of age‐associated neuromuscular changes in a mouse model of ageing and help to advance understanding of contributing pathways leading to development of sarcopenia.This work was supported by Abbott and a grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades cofinancedby Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (RTI2018-099278-B-I00 to J.C. and J.E.

Mompa project: actuation protocols based on satellite radar interferometry (INSAR) monitoring

[EN] The objective of the POCTEFA - MOMPA project (Monitoring of Ground Movements and Action Protocol) is to provide a useful technical-operational tool for the prevention and management of risks due to slope movements, at a cross-border level, based on the satellite monitoring technique InSAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar Inteferometry). The tool includes two main elements: the risk evaluation, and the integration of the technique in an action protocol for the administrations in charge of Civil Protection. The study area covers around 4,000 km2 and includes a part of the eastern Pyrenees, including the countries of Spain, France, and Andorra. The project deals with risk assessment based on the ground displacement map at an interregional scale and on the detected Active Deformation Areas (ADA), to select movements with potential risk where it will then focus on an analysis at a local scale using traditional methods (photo interpretation and field work). Both the free medium-resolution data, acquired by the Sentinel-1 satellite, as well as the high-resolution data acquired by COSMO-SkyMed are used. In addition, the project focuses on the landslide event of “la Portalada” (in Andorra) that occurred in 2019. Today the slope shows a slow movement that could affect a main road located at the bottom of the valley. The Government of Andorra is implementing measures to monitor and characterize the current movement of the slope. Therefore, nine artificial reflectors were installed along this forested slope. The data obtained will be integrated into the risk prevention protocol. Here, the project and the first results obtained through satellite interferometry are presented.[ES] El objetivo del proyecto POCTEFA - MOMPA (MOnitorización de Movimientos del terreno y Protocolo de Actuación) es proporcionar una herramienta técnico-operativa útil para la prevención y la gestión de los riesgos ocasionados por movimientos de ladera, a nivel transfronterizo, basada en la técnica de seguimiento satelital InSAR. (Interferometría Radar a Apertura Sintética) La herramienta incluye dos elementos principales: la evaluación del riesgo; y la integración de la técnica en un protocolo de actuación para las administraciones encargadas de la Protección Civil. El área de estudio cubre alrededor de 4.000 km2 e incluye una parte de los Pirineos orientales, incluyendo los países España, Francia y Andorra. El proyecto trata la evaluación de riesgos a partir del mapa de movimientos del terreno a escala interregional y de las Áreas de Deformación Activa (ADA), para seleccionar movimientos con riesgo potencial donde luego se enfocará en un análisis a escala local mediante el uso de métodos tradicionales (básicamente fotointerpretación y trabajo de campo). Se utilizan tanto los datos libres y gratuitos de resolución media, adquiridos por el satélite Sentinel-1, como los datos de alta resolución adquiridos por COSMO-SkyMed. Además, el proyecto centra su atención en el caso particular del deslizamiento de “la Portalada” (Andorra) ocurrido en 2019. En la actualidad, la ladera presenta un movimiento lento que podría afectar el eje principal de comunicación entre Andorra y España ubicado en el fondo del valle. El Gobierno de Andorra está implementando medidas para monitorear y caracterizar el movimiento actual de la ladera. Por tanto, nueve reflectores artificiales se instalaron a lo largo de esta ladera ocupada por un bosque. Los datos obtenidos se integrarán en el protocolo de prevención de riesgos. En este trabajo se presentan el proyecto y los primeros resultados obtenidos mediante interferometría satelital.Este trabajo ha sido co-financiado por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (“European Regional Development Fund”) a través de Interreg V-A España, Francia y Andorra (POCTEFA 2014-2020), proyecto EFA295/19. En el caso de la Portalada, los autores agradecen a la administración local de La Portalada, el Comú de Sant Julià de Lòria, por permitir la implementación de los reflectores, y al Ministerio de Ordenación Territorial del Gobierno de Andorra por facilitar su gestión. La obra de implementación de los reflectores fue contratada a la empresa INACCÉS.Barra, A.; Colell, X.; Echeverria, A.; Trapero, L.; Marturia, J.; Fabregat, I.; Gao, Q.... (2021). El proyecto Mompa: protocolos de actuación basados en el monitoreo mediante interferometría satelital radar (INSAR). En Proceedings 3rd Congress in Geomatics Engineering. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 118-126. https://doi.org/10.4995/CiGeo2021.2021.12709OCS11812

Implantació i Millora de l'European Project Semester (EPS) a l'EPSEVG

L'EPSEVG de la UPC va implantar l’European Project Semester (EPS) un programa formatiu innovador que respon a les demandes plantejades per la societat i l’Espai Europeu d’Ensenyament Superior (EEES) durant el curs 2007‐2008. L’EPS permet cobrir la demanda d’estudiants estrangers que volen venir a estudiar a l’escola, demanda, que, a nivell de grau en enginyeria no esta coberta en cap universitat catalana.L’EPS també és una oportunitat per augmentar el compromís de l’EPSEVG vers la sostenibilitat. El programa s’ha ambientalitzat d’acord amb les directrius del Pla UPC Sostenible 2015 essent la sostenibilitat un dels eixos transversals que li dona contingut i que identifica a tots els projectes desenvolupats. A més de la sostenibilitat, el programa inclou altres matèries transversals (com ara, la innovació, la gestió de projectes, l’accessibilitat...). L’EPS utilitza el model d’aprenentatge basat en projectes (Project Based Learning), i hi introdueix dos components nous: la docència en anglès i la interculturalitat dins de l’aula. Les noves tecnologies s’utilitzen tant per dinamitzar el treball dels grups com per facilitar el seu aprenentatge, doncs l’EPS inclou tallers i seminaris en la modalitat semipresencial.Peer Reviewe

Importance of Angiogenin and Endothelial Progenitor Cells After Rehabilitation Both in Ischemic Stroke Patients and in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Ischemia

Background: Rehabilitation therapy is the only available treatment for stroke survivors presenting neurological deficits; however, the underlying molecules and mechanisms associated with functional/motor improvement during rehabilitation are poorly understood.Objective: Our aim is to study the modulation of angiogenin and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as repair-associated factors in a cohort of stroke patients and mouse models of rehabilitation after cerebral ischemia.Methods: The clinical study included 18 ischemic strokes admitted to an intensive rehabilitation therapy (IRT) unit, 18 non-ischemic controls and brain samples from three deceased patients. Angiogenin and EPCs were measured in blood obtained before and up to 6 months after IRT together with an extensive evaluation of the motor/functional status. In parallel, C57BL/6 mice underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion, and the pasta matrix reaching-task or treadmill exercises were used as rehabilitation models. Angiogenin RNA expression was measured after 2 or 12 days of treatment together with cell counts from EPCs cultures.Results: Brain angiogenin was identified in both human and mouse tissue, whereas serum levels increased after 1 month of IRT in association with motor/functional improvement. EPC populations were increased after stroke and remained elevated during follow-up after IRT. The mouse model of rehabilitation by the task-specific pasta matrix exercise increased the number of EPCs at 2 days and increased angiogenin expression after 12 days of rehabilitation.Conclusions: Angiogenin and EPCs are modulated by rehabilitation after cerebral ischemia, suggesting that both angiogenin and EPCs could serve as biomarkers of improvement during rehabilitation or future therapeutic targets

Trends in the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections; towards a paradigm shift, Spain, 2007 to 2019

Altres ajuts: Departament de Salut. Generalitat de Catalunya ("Pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut (PERIS) 2019-2021"); Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital; Red Española de Investigación en Patología Infecciosa (REIPI).Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are frequent healthcare-associated infections and an important cause of death. Aim: To analyse changes in CRBSI epidemiology observed by the Infection Control Catalan Programme (VINCat). Methods: A cohort study including all hospital-acquired CRBSI episodes diagnosed at 55 hospitals (2007-2019) in Catalonia, Spain, was prospectively conducted. CRBSI incidence rates were adjusted per 1,000patientdays. To assess the CRBSI rate trend per year, negative binomial models were used, with the number of events as the dependent variable, and the year as the main independent variable. From each model, the annual rate of CRBSI diagnosed per 1,000patientdays and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: During the study, 9,290 CRBSI episodes were diagnosed (mean annual incidence rate:0.20episodes/1,000patientdays). Patients' median age was 64.1years; 36.6% (3,403/9,290) were female. In total, 73.7% (n=6,845) of CRBSI occurred in non-intensive care unit (ICU) wards, 62.7% (n=5,822) were related to central venous catheter (CVC), 24.1% (n=2,236) to peripheral venous catheters (PVC) and 13.3% (n=1,232) to peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVC). Incidence rate fell over the study period (IRR:0.94;95%CI:0.93-0.96), especially in the ICU (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.89). As a whole, while episodes of CVC CRBSI fell significantly (IRR:0.88;95%CI:0.87-0.91), peripherally-inserted catheter CRBSI (PVC and PICVC) rose, especially in medical wards (IRR PICVC:1.08;95%CI:1.05-1.11; IRR PVC: 1.03; 95% 1.00-1.05). Conclusions: Over the study, CRBSIs associated with CVC and diagnosed in ICUs decreased while episodes in conventional wards involving peripherally-inserted catheters increased. Hospitals should implement preventive measures in conventional wards