Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators Regulate Dendritic Spine Plasticity in the Hippocampus of Male Rats

Some selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as raloxifene and tamoxifen, are neuroprotective and reduce brain inflammation in several experimental models of neurodegeneration. In addition, raloxifene and tamoxifen counteract cognitive deficits caused by gonadal hormone deprivation in male rats. In this study, we have explored whether raloxifene and tamoxifen may regulate the number and geometry of dendritic spines in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus. Young adult male rats were injected with raloxifene (1 mg/kg), tamoxifen (1 mg/kg), or vehicle and killed 24 h after the injection. Animals treated with raloxifene or tamoxifen showed an increased numerical density of dendritic spines in CA1 pyramidal neurons compared to animals treated with vehicle. Raloxifene and tamoxifen had also specific effects in the morphology of spines. These findings suggest that raloxifene and tamoxifen may influence the processing of information by hippocampal pyramidal neurons by affecting the number and shape of dendritic spines

Estudio teórico y experimental del sistema 9 Be + 51 V y sistemas similares

En este trabajo de tesis se presenta el estudio sistemático de los sistemas 7Li + 51V, 9Be + 51V y 8B + 58Ni. Para los sistemas ( 7Li, 9 Be) + 51V se midieron las secciones eficaces de fusión a energías cercanas a la barrera Coulombiana (EB,lab=11.75 y 16.16 MeV, respectivamente) empleando la técnica de rayos γ. El experimento para medir la fusión se llevó a cabo en el Laboratorio del Acelerador Tan- dem, del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ), siendo éstas las primeras mediciones realizadas para estos proyectiles a las energías consideradas. De forma simultánea, se hizo el análisis de los posibles núcleos residuales usando los códigos computacionales de fusión-evaporación PACE2, LILITA y CASCADE. Los resultados obtenidos fueron comparados con los datos experimentales me- didos. De forma preliminar, para el sistema 7Li + 51V, se hicieron cálculos usando la teoría de canales acoplados de reacción para estimar la contribución de la sección eficaz de transferencia de un protón a la producción del núcleo residual 52Cr. Para el sistema 8B + 58Ni, se hizo un análisis teórico de canales acoplados con el continuo discretizado y canales acoplados de reacción para estudiar los procesos de rompimiento y de transfe- rencia de un protón, 58Ni(8B,7Be)59Cu, a energías alrededor de la barrera Coulombiana (EB,lab=22.95 MeV). Para calcular las secciones eficaces correspondientes se usó un potencial de Modelo Óptico se- mimicroscópico, el cual combina un potencial real de doble convolución, un potencial de polarización y un potencial imaginario tipo Woods-Saxon. A partir de la comparación de nuestros cálculos con datos experimentales se determinaron los factores espectroscópicos Sexpt y astrofísicos S17(0) del protón en la interacción 8B → 7Be+p

Clinical features associated with COVID-19 outcome in multiple myeloma: first results from the International Myeloma Society data set

The primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma(MM) is an infection. Therefore there is great concern about the susceptibility to the outcome of COVID-19 infected patients with MM. This retrospective study describes the baseline characteristics and outcome data of COVID-19 infection in 650 patients with plasma cell disorders, collected by the International Myeloma Society to understand the initial challenges faced by myeloma patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis were performed for hospitalized MM patients. Among hospitalized patinets, the median age was 69 years, and nearly all patients(96%) had MM. Approximately 36% were recently diagnosed(2019-2020), and 54% of patients were receiving first-line therapy. Thirty-three percent of patients have died, with significant geographic variability, ranging from 27% to 57% of hospitalized patients. Univariate analysis identified age, ISS3, high-risk disease, renal disease, suboptimal myeloma control(active or progressive disease), and one or more comorbidities as risk factors for higher rates of death. Neither history of transplant, including within a year of COVID-19 diagnosis, nor other anti-MM treatments were associated with outcomes. Multivariate analysis found that only age, high-risk MM, renal disease, and suboptimal MM control remained independent predictors of adverse outcome with COVID-19 infection. The management of MM in the era of COVID-19 requires careful consideration of patient and disease-related factors to decrease the risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, while not compromising disease control through appropriate MM treatment. This study provides initial data to develop recommendations for the management of MM patients with COVID-19 infection

Single-cultivar extra virgin olive oil classification using a potentiometric electronic tongue

Label authentication of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils is of great importance. A novel approach based on a potentiometric electronic tongue is proposed to classify oils obtained from single olive cultivars (Portuguese cvs. Cobrançosa, Madural, Verdeal Transmontana; Spanish cvs. Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Picual). A meta-heuristic simulated annealing algorithm was applied to select the most informative sets of sensors to establish predictive linear discriminant models. Olive oils were correctly classified according to olive cultivar (sensitivities greater than 97%) and each Spanish olive oil was satisfactorily discriminated from the Portuguese ones with the exception of cv. Arbequina (sensitivities from 61% to 98%). Also, the discriminant ability was related to the polar compounds contents of olive oils and so, indirectly, with organoleptic properties like bitterness, astringency or pungency. Therefore the proposed E-tongue can be foreseen as a useful auxiliary tool for trained sensory panels for the classification of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils.This work was co-financed by FCT and FEDER under Program COMPETE (Project PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2013)

A longitudinal study of gene expression in first-episode schizophrenia; exploring relapse mechanisms by co-expression analysis in peripheral blood

Little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms of relapse in first-episode schizophrenia, which limits the study of potential biomarkers. To explore relapse mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers for relapse prediction, we analyzed gene expression in peripheral blood in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia patients with less than 5 years of evolution who had been evaluated over a 3-year follow-up period. A total of 91 participants of the 2EPs project formed the sample for baseline gene expression analysis. Of these, 67 provided biological samples at follow-up (36 after 3 years and 31 at relapse). Gene expression was assessed using the Clariom S Human Array. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes and to analyze their preservation after 3 years of follow-up or at relapse. Among the 25 modules identified, one module was semi-conserved at relapse (DarkTurquoise) and was enriched with risk genes for schizophrenia, showing a dysregulation of the TCF4 gene network in the module. Two modules were semi-conserved both at relapse and after 3 years of follow-up (DarkRed and DarkGrey) and were found to be biologically associated with protein modification and protein location processes. Higher expression of DarkRed genes was associated with higher risk of suffering a relapse and early appearance of relapse (p = 0.045). Our findings suggest that a dysregulation of the TCF4 network could be an important step in the biological process that leads to relapse and suggest that genes related to the ubiquitin proteosome system could be potential biomarkers of relapse. © 2021, The Author(s)

Myhre syndrome: First female case

A 15 year old girl with the Myhre type growth-mental retardation syndrome is described. This is the first female case reported in the literature. The inheritance pattern of this condition is not clear. © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Ultrastructural alterations in caudate nucleus, cerebral cortex and hippocampus produced by morphine

1. 1. Chronic morphine administration to rats produced diverse ultrastructural alterations in nerve cells and neuropile of caudate nucleus, cerebral cortex and hippocampus through a short term abstinence period. 2. 2. All areas studied showed increasing damage related to time elapsed between the last morphine injection and animal sacrifice. 3. 3. Intracytoplasmic neuronal membranous organelles mainly suffered severe swelling, membrane disarrangement and eventually cell disruption in all areas studied. 4. 4. Hippocampus was the most affected area throughout the study, followed by caudate nucleus and cerebral cortex, where focal damage was seen. 5. 5. Susceptibility to morphine cytotoxic effect in the three areas studied appears to be unrelated to their opiate receptor density. 6. 6. Mitochondrial alterations produced by morphine could be related to interference of the intracellular energy production system and consequent unrestricted cell membrane permeability to water and solutes. © 1988

The effects of the social environment on the brain [Efectos cerebrales del medio ambiente social]

Aims. This work analyses the main studies dealing with the mechanisms by which the brain is altered by chronic stress and the impact of social stimuli on the activation of these mechanisms, which can lead to behavioural disorders and cognitive impairment in communities of mammals. Development. The physiological and hormonal responses triggered as a response to stress are linked to alterations in certain areas of the brain and more particularly in the hippocampus. These mechanisms include hyperactivity of the hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal axis, raised levels of corticosteroids and excitatory amino acids, neurotoxicity due to intracellular accumulation of calcium, apoptosis and a number of factors having to do with the immunological system. Most of these studies have involved the exogenous application of supraphysiological levels of corticosteroids or challenging the individual with stimuli that do not properly belong to their natural surroundings. Nevertheless, it is also possible that these mechanisms are triggered by aversive social stimuli from the natural environment, such as confrontation, establishing hierarchies, neglect and social evaluation. It has been proved that social stress has important effects on conduct and health, especially with regard to the structural and functional integrity of the brain. Conclusions. Social stress can trigger important alterations in the nervous system of individuals exposed to it and these changes can manifest themselves as varying types of disorders affecting conduct and the cognitive skills. Nevertheless, not all natural surroundings give rise to these adverse effects, as balanced communities offer their members support, protection and a series of other advantages