Paper Session III-B - Characterization of Potential ISS/Space Shuttle Environmental Conditions on Growth and Development of R. Sativus: Ground Studies for the Rasta Space Flight Experiment

Using radish as a model system, the RASTA project (Radish Assimilation in Spaceflight Testbed Atmospheres) will be investigating carbon partitioning of salad crops in microgravity. Before this goal can be accomplished, the effects of the unique environment of orbiting spacecraft on growth and development of radish must be characterized so they can be separated from those of microgravity. The environmental conditions on ISS and the space shuttle most likely to effect carbon partitioning in radish are air temperature, CO2 concentration and atmospheric contaminants. Several radish cultivars were grown in temperatures ranging from 18-30°C at ambient (400 part per million [ppm]) or elevated (1,500, 3,000 and 10,000 ppm) CO2. The effects of temperature and CO2 on growth and development of these cultivars were characterized and a high temperature cultivar was identified. In a separate series of experiments, radishes were exposed to different levels of ethylene, a biologically active volatile organic compound, to characterize its impact on radish growth and development over a range of concentrations. With these environmental characterizations, the effect of microgravity on carbon partitioning can be more readily separated from environmental factors coincidental to the spacecraft environment

A roadmap to integrate astrocytes into Systems Neuroscience.

Systems neuroscience is still mainly a neuronal field, despite the plethora of evidence supporting the fact that astrocytes modulate local neural circuits, networks, and complex behaviors. In this article, we sought to identify which types of studies are necessary to establish whether astrocytes, beyond their well-documented homeostatic and metabolic functions, perform computations implementing mathematical algorithms that sub-serve coding and higher-brain functions. First, we reviewed Systems-like studies that include astrocytes in order to identify computational operations that these cells may perform, using Ca2+ transients as their encoding language. The analysis suggests that astrocytes may carry out canonical computations in a time scale of subseconds to seconds in sensory processing, neuromodulation, brain state, memory formation, fear, and complex homeostatic reflexes. Next, we propose a list of actions to gain insight into the outstanding question of which variables are encoded by such computations. The application of statistical analyses based on machine learning, such as dimensionality reduction and decoding in the context of complex behaviors, combined with connectomics of astrocyte-neuronal circuits, is, in our view, fundamental undertakings. We also discuss technical and analytical approaches to study neuronal and astrocytic populations simultaneously, and the inclusion of astrocytes in advanced modeling of neural circuits, as well as in theories currently under exploration such as predictive coding and energy-efficient coding. Clarifying the relationship between astrocytic Ca2+ and brain coding may represent a leap forward toward novel approaches in the study of astrocytes in health and disease

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A roadmap to integrate astrocytes into Systems Neuroscience

Systems Neuroscience is still mainly a neuronal field, despite the plethora of evidence supporting the fact that astrocytes modulate local neural circuits, networks, and complex behaviors. In this article, we sought to identify which types of studies are necessary to establish whether astrocytes, beyond their well-documented homeostatic and metabolic functions, perform computations implementing mathematical algorithms that sub-serve coding and higher-brain functions. First, we reviewed Systems-like studies that include astrocytes in order to identify computational operations that these cells may perform, using Ca$^{2+}$ transients as their encoding language. The analysis suggests that astrocytes may carry out canonical computations in time scales of sub-seconds to seconds in sensory processing, neuromodulation, brain state, memory formation, fear, and complex homeostatic reflexes. Next, we propose a list of actions to gain insight into the outstanding question of which variables are encoded by such computations. The application of statistical analyses based on machine learning, such as dimensionality reduction and decoding in the context of complex behaviors, combined with connectomics of astrocyte-neuronal circuits, are, in our view, fundamental undertakings. We also discuss technical and analytical approaches to study neuronal and astrocytic populations simultaneously, and the inclusion of astrocytes in advanced modeling of neural circuits, as well as in theories currently under exploration, such as predictive coding and energy-efficient coding. Clarifying the relationship between astrocytic Ca$^{2+}$ and brain coding may represent a leap forward towards novel approaches in the study of astrocytes in health and disease.Junior Leader Fellowhip Program by 'la Caixa' Banking Foundation, LCF/BQ/LI18/11630006 BFU2017-85936-P BFU2016-75107-P BFU2016-79735-P FLAGERA-PCIN-2015-162-C02-02 HHMI 55008742 FPU13/05377 NIH R01NS099254 NSF 1604544 Agència de Gestio d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, 2017 SGR54

CREB Regulates Distinct Adaptive Transcriptional Programs in Astrocytes and Neurons

The cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) is a primary hub of a activity-driven genetic programs in neurons controlling plasticity, neurogenesis and survival. By contrast, the gene networks coordinated by CREB in astrocytes are Unknown despite the fact that the astrocytic CREB is a also activity-driven and neuroprotective. Herein we identified the transcriptional programs regulated by CREB in astrocytes as compared to neurons using, as study materials, transcriptome databases of astrocyte exposed to weII-known activators of CREB-dependent transcription as well as publidy available transcriptomes of neuronal cultures. Functional CREB signatures were extracted from the transcriptomes using Gene Ontology, adult-brain gene lists generated by Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (TRAP) and CREB-target gene repositories. We found minimal overlap between CREB signatures in astrocytes and neurons. In astrocytes, the top triad of functions regulated by CREB consists of'Gene expression', 'Mitochondria', and 'Signa Iling', while in neurons it is 'Neurotransmission', 'Signalling' and 'Gene expression', the latter being represented by different genes from those in astrocytes. The newly gene rated data bases Will provide a tool to explore novel means whereby CREB impinges on brain functions requiring adaptive, long-lasting changes by coordinating transcriptionaI cascades in astrocytes

Plan de intervención para prevenir desórdenes musculoesqueléticos en personal de producción de la empresa Cosmética SAS

La presente investigación identifica los mecanismos de control de riesgo ergonómico que deben usarse para la prevención de desórdenes musculoesqueléticos en el personal de producción de la empresa Cosmética SAS. Este proceso investigativo, se logra a través de la realización de una encuesta con una muestra de 15 personas, que se realizaran a los operarios del área de producción. La función de la encuesta es analizar la forma y condiciones como son desarrolladas las tareas asignadas, para analizar la posible influencia en la aparición de trastornos musculoesqueléticos. Este proceso investigativo tiene como finalidad encontrar los factores, tanto laborales como extra-labores, a que está expuesto el personal de producción de la empresa Cosmética SAS, y que pueden generar, en dicha fuerza laboral trastornos musculoesqueléticos. Esto será evidencia suficiente para justificar la implementación de programas y mecanismos de prevención del riesgo ergonómico. Este proceso investigativo presenta los siguientes resultados; se pudo establecer que los trabajadores tienen un conocimiento aceptable del tema, además se encontró que entre el 29% y el 36% de los trabajadores permanecen durante su jornada laboral en posiciones tales como caminando, subiendo o bajando escaleras. Por otro lado, se considera la acción de sujetar objetos u herramientas como un factor relevante en la aparición de los trastornos musculo esqueléticos, ya que el 22 % de los trabajadores manifestaron realizar estas acciones.The present research identifies the ergonomic risk control mechanisms that should be used for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the production personnel of the company Cosmética SAS. This investigative process is achieved through the completion of 15 surveys that will be carried out to the operators of the production area. The function of the survey is to analyze the form and conditions in which the assigned tasks are carried out, to analyze the possible influence on the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders. The investigative process purpose to find the factors, both work and non-work, to which the production personnel of the company Cosmética SAS are exposed, and with which musculoskeletal disorders are generated. This will be sufficient evidence to justify for the implementation of ergonomic risk prevention programs and mechanisms. This investigative process presents the following results, it was possible to establish that the workers have an acceptable knowledge of the subject, it was also found that between 29% and 36% of the workers remain during their working hours in positions such as walking, climbing, or descending stairs. On the other hand, the action of holding objects or tools is considered a relevant factor in the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders, since 22% of the workers stated that they performed these actions.1. Problema de investigación 13 1.1 Descripción del problema 13 1.2 Formulación del problema 15 2. Objetivos de la investigación 16 2.1 Objetivo general 16 2.2 Objetivos específicos 16 3. Justificación y delimitación 17 3.1 Justificación 17 3.2 Delimitación de la investigación 23 3.3 Limitaciones 24 4. Marco de Referencia de la investigación 25 4.1 Estado del Arte 25 4.2 Marco Teórico 37 4.3 Marco Legal 67 5. Marco metodológico de la investigación 75 5.1 Recolección de la información 77 6. Resultados 82 6.1 Análisis de resultados y Diagnostico 82 6.2 Caracterización de los encuestados 84 6.3 Resultados de la encuesta 85 6.4 Discusión 122 6.5 Propuesta plan de prevención 124 7. Análisis financiero 134 8. Conclusiones y recomendaciones 139 8.1 Conclusiones 139EspecializaciónEspecialista en Gerencia de la Seguridad y Salud en el TrabajoEspecialización en Gerencia de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabaj

Improving quality of care and clinical outcomes for rectal cancer through clinical audits in a multicentre cancer care organisation

Introduction: Colorectal cancer treatment requires a complex, multidisciplinary approach. Because of the potential variability, monitoring through clinical audits is advisable. This study assesses the effects of a quality improvement action plan in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and treated with radiotherapy. Methods: Comparative, multicentre study in two cohorts of 120 patients each, selected randomly from patients diagnosed with rectal cancer who had initiated radiotherapy with a curative intent. Based on the results from a baseline clinical audit in 2013, a quality improvement action plan was designed and implemented; a second audit in 2017 evaluated its impact. Results: Standardised information was present on 77.5% of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging reports. Treatment strategies were similar in all three study centres. Of the patients whose treatment was interrupted, just 9.7% received a compensation dose. There was an increase in MRI re-staging from 32.5 to 61.5%, and a significant decrease in unreported circumferential resection margins following neoadjuvant therapy (ypCRM), from 34.5 to 5.6% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The comparison between two clinical audits showed improvements in neoadjuvant radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients. Some indicators reveal areas in need of additional efforts, for example to reduce the overall treatment time

In vitro activities of natural products against oral Candida isolates from denture wearers

Background: Candida-associated denture stomatitis is a frequent infectious disease. Treatment of this oral condition is difficult because failures and recurrences are common. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro antifungal activity of pure constituents of essentials oils. -- Methods: Eight terpenic derivatives (carvacrol, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, menthol, menthone, terpinen-4-ol, and aterpineol), a phenylpropanoid (eugenol), a phenethyl alcohol (tyrosol) and fluconazole were evaluated against 38 Candida isolated from denture-wearers and 10 collection Candida strains by the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. -- Results: Almost all the tested compounds showed antifungal activity with MIC ranges of 0.03-0.25% for eugenol and linalool, 0.03-0.12% for geraniol, 0.06-0.5% for menthol, a-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, 0.03-0.5% for carvacrol, and 0.06-4% for menthone. These compounds, with the exception of farnesol, menthone and tyrosol, showed important in vitro activities against the fluconazole-resistant and susceptible-dose dependent Candida isolates. -- Conclusions: Carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool and terpinen-4-ol were very active in vitro against oral Candida isolates. Their fungistatic and fungicidal activities might convert them into promising alternatives for the topic treatment of oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis.Funding: this work has been funded in part by projects GIC07 123-IT-222-07 (Departamento de Educacion, Universidades e Investigacion, Gobierno Vasco), S-PR09UN01 and S-PR10UN03 (Saiotek 2009 and 2010, Departamento de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, Gobierno Vasco)

Methylglyoxal Produced by Amyloid- Peptide-Induced Nitrotyrosination of Triosephosphate Isomerase Triggers Neuronal Death in Alzheimer’s Disease

Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) aggregates induce nitro-oxidative stress, contributing to the characteristic neurodegeneration found in Alzheimer's disease (AD). One of the most strongly nitrotyrosinated proteins in AD is the triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) enzyme which regulates glycolytic flow, and its efficiency decreased when it is nitrotyrosinated. The main aims of this study were to analyze the impact of TPI nitrotyrosination on cell viability and to identify the mechanism behind this effect. In human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y), we evaluated the effects of Aβ42 oligomers on TPI nitrotyrosination. We found an increased production of methylglyoxal (MG), a toxic byproduct of the inefficient nitro-TPI function. The proapoptotic effects of Aβ42 oligomers, such as decreasing the protective Bcl2 and increasing the proapoptotic caspase-3 and Bax, were prevented with a MG chelator. Moreover, we used a double mutant TPI (Y165F and Y209F) to mimic nitrosative modifications due to Aβ action. Neuroblastoma cells transfected with the double mutant TPI consistently triggered MG production and a decrease in cell viability due to apoptotic mechanisms. Our data show for the first time that MG is playing a key role in the neuronal death induced by Aβ oligomers. This occurs because of TPI nitrotyrosination, which affects both tyrosines associated with the catalytic center