Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms modify the response to vitamin D supplementation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Producción CientíficaThe vitamin D receptor (VDR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcriptional regulators, is crucial to calcitriol signalling. VDR is regulated by genetic and environmental factors and it is hypothesised that the response to vitamin D supplementation could be modulated by genetic variants in the VDR gene. The best studied polymorphisms in the VDR gene are Apal (rs7975232), BsmI (rs1544410), Taql (rs731236) and Fokl (rs10735810). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the response to vitamin D supplementation according to the BsmI, TaqI, ApaI and FokI polymorphisms. We included studies that analysed the relationship between the response to vitamin D supplementation and the genotypic distribution of these polymorphisms. We included eight studies that enrolled 1038 subjects. The results showed no significant association with the BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms (p = 0.081 and p = 0.63) and that the variant allele (Tt+tt) of the TaqI polymorphism and the FF genotype of the FokI variant were associated with a better response to vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001). In conclusion, the TaqI and FokI polymorphisms could play a role in the modulation of the response to vitamin D supplementation, as they are associated with a better response to supplementation

Embryonic cerebrospinal fluid in brain development: neural progenitor control

Producción CientíficaDue to the effort of several research teams across the world, today we have a solid base of knowledge on the liquid contained in the brain cavities, its composition, and biological roles. Although the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is among the most relevant parts of the central nervous system from the physiological point of view, it seems that it is not a permanent and stable entity because its composition and biological properties evolve across life. So, we can talk about different CSFs during the vertebrate life span. In this review, we focus on the CSF in an interesting period, early in vertebrate development before the formation of the choroid plexus. This specific entity is called “embryonic CSF.” Based on the structure of the compartment, CSF composition, origin and circulation, and its interaction with neuroepithelial precursor cells (the target cells) we can conclude that embryonic CSF is different from the CSF in later developmental stages and from the adult CSF. This article presents arguments that support the singularity of the embryonic CSF, mainly focusing on its influence on neural precursor behavior during development and in adult life

La autopsia clínica

Antencedentes: La autopsia clínica tiene unos 2000 años de historia. Su período dorado, sin embargo, lo forman los últimos 150 años, en que ha contribuido de forma sustancial al avance de la Medicina en campos variados y fundamentales. En España, la autopsia no ha alcanzado nunca las tasas que otros países han tenido o aún tienen, y solo en algunos grandes hospitales se han hecho en número significativo. Estado actual: El peso específico que EE.UU. tiene sobre la literatura médica hace que sus cambios, en detrimento del número de autopsias, hayan sido muy comentados. Una restrictiva legislación en muchos países (entre nosotros, la Ley de Biobancos), hace más complejo el proceso de autorizaciones, conservación y utilización de las muestras. El número de autopsias de muchos hospitales sigue siendo bajo, dificultando o impidiendo la docencia y el control de calidad que tales autopsias debieran tener. Proyecto de futuro: La autopsia no va a desaparecer a corto plazo. Pero las autopsias languidecen, perseguidas por la inercia y la competencia con otras técnicas. Es preciso recordar los muchos beneficios que aportan, las causas de su declive (para atajar las que están en nuestro mano) y, sobre todo, convertir la autopsia, mediante una más completa correlación clínico-patológica, la incorporación de otros profesionales (TSAPC) y el auxilio de nuevas técnicas o tecnologías, en la poderosa (y muy barata) herramienta asistencia, docentem investigadora, con función social y de auxilio a la justicia, que debe ser. Y con la proyección social y profesional que merece

Embryonic Cerebrospinal Fluid Activates Neurogenesis of Neural Precursors within the Subventricular Zone of the Adult Mouse Brain

Producción CientíficaIntroduction: There is a nondeveloped neurogenic potential in the adult mammalian brain, which could be the basis for neuroregenerative strategies. Many research efforts have been made to understand the control mechanisms which regulate the transition from a neural precursor to a neuron in the adult brain. Embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a complex fluid which has been shown to play a key role in neural precursor behavior during development, working as a powerful neurogenic inductor. We tested if the neurogenic properties of embryonic CSF are able to increase the neurogenic activity of neuronal precursors from the subventricular zone (SVZ) in the brains of adult mice. Results: Our results show that mouse embryonic CSF significantly increases the neurogenic activity in precursor cells from adult brain SVZ. This intense neurogenic effect was specific for embryonic CSF and was not induced by adult CSF. Conclusions: Embryonic CSF is a powerful neurogenesis inductor in homologous neuronal precursors in the adult brain. This property of embryonic CSF could be a useful tool in neuroregeneration strategies

Lens capsule HSPG-Perlecan regulates lens fibre differentiation during chick embryo development

Producción CientíficaLens fibre differentiation is a life-long process related with lens transparency, and is particularly intense during development, being related with an FGF-2 antero-posterior gradient at the equator level as the main growth factor involved which has been related with the basal membrane of the lens anlagen known as “Lens capsule”. However the lens fibre differentiation induced by FGF2 depends, as in other biological systems, on the local bioavailability of FGF-2 regulated by their relationship with extracellular matrix molecules as Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans. Here, we try to clarify how Perlecan (a heparan sulphate proteoglycan specific from basement membranes) is involved in lens fibre differentiation at earliest stages of eye development. Our results show that Perlecan, is a major component in the lens capsule during the earliest stages of lens development in chick embryos being present during lens plate induction, lens vesicle stage and the onset of lens fibre differentiation. In order to demonstrate a direct involvement of HSPG-Perlecan in lens fibre differentiation, we generate depleted lenses by HSPG-Perlecan synthesis disruption and specific enzymatic digestion. The HSPG-Perlecan depleted lens show a significant delay or abolition in the lens fibre differentiation which remains in an immature cells displaying DNA synthesis in the posterior epithelium and a decrease in FGF2 lens expression. These data support the hypothesis that lens capsule HSPG-Perlecan is a key molecule involved in lens fibre differentiation during development, probably by involvement in FGF-2 biodisponibility.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Grant BFU207/6516)Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant PIO20961)Junta de Castilla y León (Grants VA21A07, VA049/04, SAN673/VA15/08

Relationship between insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), trabecular bone score (TBS), and three-dimensional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (3D-DXA) in non-diabetic postmenopausal women

Producción CientíficaBackground: Insulin may play a key role in bone metabolism, where the anabolic effect predominates. This study aims to analyze the relationship between insulin resistance and bone quality using the trabecular bone score (TBS) and three-dimensional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (3D-DXA) in non-diabetic postmenopausal women by determining cortical and trabecular compartments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in non-diabetic postmenopausal women with suspected or diagnosed osteoporosis. The inclusion criteria were no menstruation for more than 12 months and low bone mass or osteoporosis as defined by DXA. Glucose was calculated using a Hitachi 917 auto-analyzer. Insulin was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA). Insulin resistance was estimated using a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). DXA, 3D-DXA, and TBS were thus collected. Moreover, we examined bone parameters according to quartile of insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and HOMA-IR. Results: In this study, we included 381 postmenopausal women. Women located in quartile 4 (Q4) of HOMA-IR had higher values of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) but not TBS. The increase was higher in the trabecular compartment (16.4%) than in the cortical compartment (6.4%). Similar results were obtained for insulin. Analysis of the quartiles by HbA1c showed no differences in densitometry values, however women in Q4 had lower levels of TBS. After adjusting for BMI, statistical significance was maintained for TBS, insulin, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c. Conclusions: In non-diabetic postmenopausal women there was a direct relationship between insulin resistance and vBMD, whose effect is directly related to greater weight. TBS had an inverse relationship with HbA1c, insulin, and insulin resistance unrelated to weight. This might be explained by the formation of advanced glycosylation products (AGEs) in the bone matrix, which reduces bone deformation capacity and resistance, as well as increases fragility

Implementation of cell biology online practices using virtual microscopes in different degrees

Producción CientíficaIn December 2019, Wuhan City in China officially declared the presence of an unknown virus (now called SARS-Cov-2) that soon gained pandemic status. The SARS-Cov-2 or COVID-19 pandemic quickly led to the closure of Universities and colleges following the advice of public Health officials to maintain social distancing (Murphy, 2020). Consequently, educational institutions quickly adopted e-learning under the distance education mode (Morgan, 2020). At University of Valladolid (Spain), two of the degrees with the highest number of new students are the Bachelor’s Degree (BD) in Medicine and the BD in Nursing, which also have subjects with a very important practical part. Two of these subjects are Medical Biology and Biology, in the first year of both degrees. The use of the optical microscope is essential to carry out the practical work in these subjects during which students not only manipulate and observe materials using the microscope, but also engage intellectually, using and applying theoretical concepts.This work is the result of two Teaching Innovation Projects funded by the University of Valladolid (PID_20-21_053 and PID_21- 22_052)

FGF2/EGF contributes to brain neuroepithelial precursor proliferation and neurogenesis in rat embryos: the involvement of embryonic cerebrospinal fluid

Producción CientíficaBackground: At the earliest stages of brain development, the neuroepithelium works as an interdependent functional entity together with cerebrospinal fluid, which plays a key regulatory role in neuroepithelial cell survival, replication and neurogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown in mammals. Results: We show the presence of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), in 13.5-day rat embryo cerebrospinal fluid (eCSF). Immunohistochemical detection of FGF2 expression localized this factor inside neuroepithelial precursors close to the neuroepithelial-CSF interface, suggesting that FGF2 from eCSF could originate in the neuroepithelium by apical secretion. The colocalization of FGFR1 and FGF2 in some neuroepithelial cells close to the ventricular surface suggests they are target cells for eCSF FGF2. Brain neuroepithelium EGF expression was negative. By using a neuroepithelial organotypic culture, we demonstrate that FGF2 and EGF from eCSF plays a specific role in triggering the self-renewal and are involved in neurogenetic induction of mesencephalic neuroepithelial precursor cells during rat development. Conclusions: We propose eCSF as an intercommunication medium for neuroepithelial precursor behavior control during early rat brain development, and the neuroepithelial regulation of FGF2 and EGF presence in eCSF, as a regulative mechanism controlling precursor proliferation and neurogenesis.Junta de Castilla y León, Consejería de educación, Grant/Award Number: GR195; Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Grant/ Award Number: BFU207/651

Implantación de prácticas online utilizando microscopios virtuales

El objetivo principal de este proyecto ha sido valorar los resultados de la implantación de prácticas online utilizando microscopios virtuales en las asignaturas Biología y Biología Médica, ambas del primer curso de los grados de Enfermería y Medicina respectivamente. La repercusión de la virtualización de la enseñanza/aprendizaje de los créditos prácticos ha sido significativamente positiva en la asignatura Biología del grado en Enfermería. Los resultados muestran cómo los estudiantes que realizan los cuestionarios durante las prácticas virtuales superan de una manera más satisfactoria la asignatura. El grado de satisfacción con la virtualización de los créditos prácticos fue alto en los alumnos de ambos grados y la mayoría indicaron que les había resultado útil esta nueva metodología suponiendo para ellos una ventaja a la hora de estudiar y comprender los créditos prácticos de la asignatura. La mayoría de los estudiantes encuestados indicaron que esta metodología les ayudaría a superar los créditos prácticos de la asignatura y la asignatura en su conjunto. Este hecho se ha visto reflejado en un bajo número de suspensos. De los resultados obtenidos podemos concluir que la virtualización puede complementar las prácticas presenciales y es una buena alternativa en situaciones de confinamiento como la ocasionada por el SARS-Cov2.Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología y Farmacologí

Escuela multicultural : un centro de todos

A través de este Programa se pretende compensar las desigualdades en educación derivadas de factores culturales, económicos o sociales, en relación con alumnos pertenecientes a minorías étnicas y de otras nacionalidades. Esto se lleva a cabo: 1.- Promoviendo la adoptación de medidas que favorezcan la acogida en el Centro de alumnos provenientes de otras culturas, razas y paises. 2.- Facilitando los medios necesarios para la atención preferente de alumnos de familias inmigrantes, principalmente encaminados a la enseñanza de la lengua castellana y/o a la compensación de situaciones de desfase escolar. 3.- Respetando las tradiciones, religiones, usos, y costumbres de los alumnos de minorías étnicas o nacionales, tendiendo hacia una educación tolerante, no exclusivista. 4.- Potenciando las actitudes de tolerancia, respeto y comunicación mutuos, solidaridad y aprecio de otras culturas o razas entre todos los alumnos del Centro, independientemente de su origen nacional, cultural, étnico o lingüístico, como medio de prevenir y resolver los problemas de discriminación, xenofobia y racismo. El contenido y las actividades de este Programa se pueden concretar en los siguientes puntos: 1.- Acogida de alumnos provenientes de otras culturas o países. 2.- Atención compensadora de alumnos. 3.- Realización de un plan de fomento de las actitudes de tolerancia, erspeto y apertura dirigido a todos los alumnos del centro. 4.- Coordinación con otros servicios socioeducativos..Gobierno de Cantabria. Consejería de Educación y JuventudCantabriaES