FGF-2 and anosmin-1 are selectively expressed in different types of multiple sclerosis lesions

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease that affects ~2,000,000 people worldwide. In the advanced stages of the disease, endogenous oligodendrocyte precursors cannot colonize the lesions or differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. During development, both FGF-2 and Anosmin-1 participate in oligodendrocyte precursor cell migration, acting via the FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1). Hence, we performed a histopathological and molecular analysis of these developmental modulators in postmortem tissue blocks from multiple sclerosis patients. Accordingly, we demonstrate that the distribution of FGF-2 and Anosmin-1 varies between the different types of multiple sclerosis lesions: FGF-2 is expressed only within active lesions and in the periplaque of chronic lesions, whereas Anosmin-1 is upregulated within chronic lesions and is totally absent in active lesions. We show that the endogenous oligodendrocyte precursor cells recruited toward chronic-active lesions express FGFR1, possibly in response to the FGF-2 produced by microglial cells in the periplaque. Also in human tissue, FGF-2 is upregulated in perivascular astrocytes in regions of the normal-appearing gray matter, where the integrity of the blood-brain barrier is compromised. In culture, FGF-2 and Anosmin-1 influence adult mouse oligodendrocyte precursor cell migration in the same manner as at embryonic stages, providing an explanation for the histopathological observations: FGF-2 attracts/ enhances its migration, which is hindered by Anosmin-1. We propose that FGF-2 and Anosmin-1 are markers for the histopathological type and the level of inflammation of multiple sclerosis lesions, and that they may serve as novel pharmacogenetic targets to design future therapies that favor effective remyelination and protect the blood-brain barrier. © 2011 the authors.Peer Reviewe

Factors associated with the introduction of mycobacterium avium spp. Paratuberculosis (map) into dairy herds in galicia (north-west Spain): The perception of experts

This study aimed at quantifying expert opinions on the risk factors involved in Mycobac-terium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in dairy cattle herds. For this purpose, potential risk factors associated with the introduction of MAP into dairies were chosen based on a literature review and discussions with researchers and veterinarians. For each factor, a decision tree was de-veloped, and key questions were included in each. Answers to these key questions led to different events within each decision tree. An expert opinion workshop was organized (following the recom-mendations of the OIE), and ordinal values ranging from 0 to 9 (i.e., a null to very high likelihood of infection) were assigned to each event. The potential risk factors were also incorporated into a structured questionnaire that was responded to by 93 farms where the sanitary status against MAP was known. Thereby, based on the values given by the experts and the information collected in the questionnaires, each farm was assigned a score based on their MAP entry risk. From these scores (contrast variable) and using a ROC curve, the cut-off that best discriminated MAP-positive and-negative farms was estimated. The most important risk factors for the introduction of MAP, accord-ing to expert opinions, involved purchase and grazing practices related to animals under six months of age. The scores obtained for each farm, also based on the expert opinions, allowed MAP posi-tive/MAP negative farms to be discriminated with 68.8% sensitivity and 68.7% specificity. These data should be useful for focusing future training initiatives and improving risk-reduction strategies in the dairy industry

Biomechanical Analysis of Anticipation of Elite and Inexperienced Goalkeepers to Distance Shots in Handball

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticipation time and kinematic factors in the movement of goalkeepers’ center of mass when making a long-distance throw in handball. The sample group was composed of 14 goalkeepers and field players. A force platform was used to measure the force of the goalkeepers’ reaction movements, while the throwers’ movements were recorded with high-speed cameras. The expert goalkeepers began to move 193 ± 67 ms before the ball was released, with a 67% success rate of interception. The inexperienced goalkeepers began their movement 209 ± 127 ms with a 24% success rate. The time taken by expert goalkeepers to begin a vertical movement of their CM, relative to the moment of the ball’s release, was less than the time taken by inexperienced goalkeepers (77 ± 70 vs. 141 ± 108 ms respectively). The analysis of the velocity and movement indicates that expert goalkeepers wait longer before moving than do inexperienced goalkeepers

El control de los criterios de higiene de los procesos en mataderos de cerdo ibérico como medio para evaluar el funcionamiento aceptable de la producción

La normativa vigente obliga a los mataderos de cerdo ibérico a desarrollar e implantar un plan APPCC (Análisis de Peligros y Puntos de Control Crítico). De igual modo deben comprobar el correcto funcionamiento de su proceso de producción realizando controles microbiologícos de la superficie de las canales, siguiendo un plan de muestreo diseñado de acuerdo al Reglamento 2073/2005. En el presente trabajo se expone el diseño de un plan de muestreo de un matadero de cerdo ibérico, y se muestran los resultados obtenidos en los primeros controles realizados siguiendo dicho plan

Controles analíticos realizados en una pequeña industria elaboradora de quesos de oveja y su papel en el contexto de la garantía de inocuidad de los productos elaborados

Como parte de las actuaciones encaminadas a asegurar la inocuidad de los quesos, las industrias elaboradoras de quesos deben comprobar la ausencia de antibióticos en la leche que utilizan como materia prima, así como la calidad microbiológica de ésta. Igualmente deben llevar a cabo controles microbiológicos de los quesos que ponen en el mercado. El presente trabajo muestra el modo en que lleva a cabo estos controles una industria elaboradora de queso de oveja, así como la comparación de los resultados obtenidos en los mencionados controles durante el año 2006 con los criterios establecidos en la normativa vigente

Adaptive algorithm for increasing image rejection ratio in Low-IF receivers

An adaptive method for compensating mismatch effect on an I/Q demodulation is presented. It is based on the correlation between the desired and image band that appears when there is a mismatch in any branch. The proposed algorithm is specially intended for narrowband low-IF receivers. No calibration source is neccesary. Up to 91 dB of image rejection ratio is achieved with narrow-bandwidth signals (up to 6.25% of the sampling frequency)

Análisis de los factores formadores y distribución de los suelos en la Sierra del Rayo (Granada)

Se realiza un análisis del medio físico: Relieve, Material original y Clima de los suelos que existen en la Sierra del Rayo, así como una cartografía detallada de los mismos, expresando las unidades de suelo que se contemplan en la zona.It has been made an analysis of the Physical medium (relief, parent material and climate) on the soils of Sierra del Rayo (Granada), which its detailed cartography, expressing also the soil units which appear in the zone