Use of Phytoestrogens for the Treatment of Psychiatric Symptoms Associated with Menopause Transition

Menopause transition is recognized as a vulnerable period in women life to develop or aggravate symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Several treatments including antidepressants and hormonal restitution with estrogens have been suggested to ameliorate the symptoms. Also, in this period of life is frequent the use of other drugs to treat is also frequent the use of other drugs to treat comorbid pathologies that might even increase the risk of drug-drug interactions. Literature reports that some phytochemicals with estrogenic activity have beneficial effects during menopausal transition without collateral events. This chapter shows evidence about the use of phytoestrogens as an alternative therapy for the treatment of some psychiatric symptoms associated with the menopausal transition. Data derived from preclinical research related to the use of classical phytoestrogens (isoflavones), considering the beneficial effects, as well as adverse events, are discussed. Also, the use of polyphenols and organosulfurate compounds as an alternative for the treatment of anxiety- and depressive-like behavior as well as fibromyalgia is included. A narrative review was conducted using bibliography reporting the use of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, equol), coumestans or lignans for the reduction of depressive-like or anxiety-like behavior. Furthermore, it is described if the use of this compounds impact in other signs of menopause, i.e. vasomotor and osteoporosis. In addition, due to the high frequency of comorbid pathologies as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome with psychiatric disorders, the use of these phytochemicals is discussed

Synergistic interaction in the analgesic-like effects of maqui berry and citrus Is antagonized by sweeteners

Although physiologically pain has a protective function, in many diseases, it is one of the most prominent symptoms. Today, new trends are focused on finding more natural alternatives to conventional treatments to alleviate it. Thereby, the purpose of this investigation was to obtain preclinical data of the antinociceptive properties of a lyophilized obtained from a newly designed maqui–citrus beverage alone and added with different sweeteners. To achieve this objective, maqui berry and citrus pharmacological activity were studied separately, as well as the interaction of both ingredients. In addition, due to the controversy generated regarding the intake of sugars, related to different metabolic diseases, the influence of different sweeteners (stevia, sucralose, or sucrose) was studied to determine their possible influence on the bioactive compounds of this product. For the attainment of our goals, a pharmacological evaluation, using the 1% formalin test, a nociceptive pain model in mice, was performed by using a sub-efficacious dosage of Maqui (25 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and combined with citrus, and then compared with the effects obtained in the presence of the different sweeteners. As a result, the antinociceptive response of the maqui was synergized in the presence of citrus in the neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin test. However, this response was partially or totally reduced in the presence of the sweeteners. Our study gives preclinical evidence that a combination of maqui and citrus might exert beneficial actions to relieve pain, whereas the presence of sweeteners could reduce or avoid it.This work was partially supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) grant numbers 226454 and 256448 and Institutional projects numbers INP-NC123280.0 and INP-NC17073.0. Also, was partially funded by the Spanish MINECO through Research Project AGL2016-75332-C2-1-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), the Spanish MICIN through Research Project PID2019- 104212RD-100, and VA by a FPI grant (BES-2017-079754

Antinociceptive effects of maqui-berry (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz)

Maqui-berry is characterised by presenting a high concentration of (poly)phenols, accounting anthocyanins (cyanidin and delphinidin) for over 85% of the total. These coloured flavonoids have demonstrated potential neurological activity, but the evidence of their antinociceptive properties is scarce. In order to cover this gap, different doses (suitable for human administration) of a maqui-berry powder (1.6% anthocyanin), using enteral and parenteral routes of administration, were compared at central and peripheral levels using a nociceptive pain model (formalin test) in mice. Gastric damage analysis as possible adverse effects of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs was also explored. Dose-antinociceptive response was confirmed using both routes of administration and in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin test, without gastric damage. In conclusion, these preliminary data provide evidence of pharmacological properties of maqui-berry to alleviate nociceptive pain.This work was partially supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) grant numbers 226454 and 256448 and Institutional projects numbers INP-NC123280.0 and INP-NC17073.0. Also, was partially funded by the Spanish MINECO through Research Project AGL2016-75332-C2-1-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), the Spanish MICIN through Research Project PID2019-104212RD-100, and VA by a FPI [grant number BES-2017-079754]

Intervención de urbanismo táctico para la implementación de cruces seguros

A lo largo de este reporte se informa sobre las distintas labores, investigaciones y visitas de campo que se llevan a cabo en el Proyecto de Aplicación Profesional de Movilidad en el periodo de primavera 2021. Durante el cual se abordó la problemática de movilidad urbana y falta de infraestructura que cotidianamente experimentan los usuarios que atraviesan el cruce de Av. Ramón Corona, Colegiales, Libertad y C. Degollado, denominado “Área de intervención”, ubicado en la colonia Mexicaltzingo, Guadalajara, Jal. La confluencia de diferentes dinámicas de las unidades transporte público colectivo en la zona, así como la falta de regulación y organización de las mismas generan un evidente desorden en materia de movilidad en el cruce de las calles anteriormente mencionadas, dicha problemática sumada a la ausencia infraestructura y señalética urbana adecuada que dote de claridad al espacio, pone en riesgo la vida de miles de usuarios que hacen uso del mismo diariamente, especialmente al peatón ya que la complejidad de la intersección de varias vialidades sumado a las falta de claridad en el espacio y los movimientos de transporte motorizado generan cruces inseguros entre vialidades que exponen al peatón. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es generar una intervención de urbanismo táctico así como una propuesta formal de implementación de cruces seguros en la intersección anteriormente mencionada, esto con la finalidad de organizar los movimientos peatonales en vialidades del área de intervención. La propuesta desarrollada podrá servir como un incentivo para que las autoridades correspondientes intervengan y ejecuten un proyecto de urbanismo permanente en base a la intervención de urbanismo táctico y la propuesta formal generada como resultado de este proyecto. Utilizamos una metodología de investigación mixta, por un lado utilizamos un abordaje cuantitativo para observar elementos medibles en el espacio, mientras que el abordaje cualitativo fue útil para obtener información acerca de la calidad del mismo.ITESO, A.C

Ecological and Physiological Studies of Gymnodinium catenatum in the Mexican Pacific: A Review

This review presents a detailed analysis of the state of knowledge of studies done in Mexico related to the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum, a paralytic toxin producer. This species was first reported in the Gulf of California in 1939; since then most studies in Mexico have focused on local blooms and seasonal variations. G. catenatum is most abundant during March and April, usually associated with water temperatures between 18 and 25 ºC and an increase in nutrients. In vitro studies of G. catenatum strains from different bays along the Pacific coast of Mexico show that this species can grow in wide ranges of salinities, temperatures, and N:P ratios. Latitudinal differences are observed in the toxicity and toxin profile, but the presence of dcSTX, dcGTX2-3, C1, and C2 are usual components. A common characteristic of the toxin profile found in shellfish, when G. catenatum is present in the coastal environment, is the detection of dcGTX2-3, dcSTX, C1, and C2. Few bioassay studies have reported effects in mollusks and lethal effects in mice, and shrimp; however no adverse effects have been observed in the copepod Acartia clausi. Interestingly, genetic sequencing of D1-D2 LSU rDNA revealed that it differs only in one base pair, compared with strains from other regions

Moderate exercise and chronic stress produce counteractive effects on different areas of the brain by acting through various neurotransmitter receptor subtypes: A hypothesis

BACKGROUND: Regular, "moderate", physical exercise is an established non-pharmacological form of treatment for depressive disorders. Brain lateralization has a significant role in the progress of depression. External stimuli such as various stressors or exercise influence the higher functions of the brain (cognition and affect). These effects often do not follow a linear course. Therefore, nonlinear dynamics seem best suited for modeling many of the phenomena, and putative global pathways in the brain, attributable to such external influences. HYPOTHESIS: The general hypothesis presented here considers only the nonlinear aspects of the effects produced by "moderate" exercise and "chronic" stressors, but does not preclude the possibility of linear responses. In reality, both linear and nonlinear mechanisms may be involved in the final outcomes. The well-known neurotransmitters serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (D) and norepinephrine (NE) all have various receptor subtypes. The article hypothesizes that 'Stress' increases the activity/concentration of some particular subtypes of receptors (designated nt(s)) for each of the known (and unknown) neurotransmitters in the right anterior (RA) and left posterior (LP) regions (cortical and subcortical) of the brain, and has the converse effects on a different set of receptor subtypes (designated nt(h)). In contrast, 'Exercise' increases nt(h )activity/concentration and/or reduces nt(s )activity/concentration in the LA and RP areas of the brain. These effects may be initiated by the activation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) (among others) in exercise and its suppression in stress. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this hypothesis, a better understanding of brain neurodynamics might be achieved by considering the oscillations caused by single neurotransmitters acting on their different receptor subtypes, and the temporal pattern of recruitment of these subtypes. Further, appropriately designed and planned experiments will not only corroborate such theoretical models, but also shed more light on the underlying brain dynamics

Miradas y voces de la investigación educativa I

Fil: Ferreyra, Horacio Ademar. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Calneggia, María Isabel. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; ArgentinaFil: Di Francesco, Adriana Carlota. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Educación; Argentin