Rosiglitazone Rescues Memory Impairment in Alzheimer's Transgenic Mice: Mechanisms Involving a Reduced Amyloid and Tau Pathology

Clinical studies suggest that agonists at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) may exert beneficial effects in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the mechanism for the potential therapeutic interest of this class of drugs has not yet been elucidated. Here, in mice overexpressing mutant human amyloid precursor protein, we found that chronic treatment with rosiglitazone, a high-affinity agonist at PPARγ, facilitated β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) clearance. Rosiglitazone not only reduced Aβ burden in the brain but, importantly, almost completely removed the abundant amyloid plaques observed in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of 13-month-old transgenic mice. In the hippocampus, neuropil threads containing phosphorylated tau, probably corresponding to dystrophic neurites, were also decreased by the drug. Rosiglitazone switched on the activated microglial phenotype, promoting its phagocytic ability, reducing the expression of proinflammatory markers and inducing factors for alternative differentiation. The decreased amyloid pathology may account for the reduction of p-tau-containing neuropil threads and for the rescue of impaired recognition and spatial memory in the transgenic mice. This study provides further insights into the mechanisms for the beneficial effect of rosiglitazone in AD patients

Lectinhistochemical study in penis and prepuce of bulls experimantally infected with tritrichomonas foetus

En trabajos anteriores hemos demostrado, mediante lectinhistoquímica, que el patrón de carbohidratos del epitelio de los órganos genitales de las hembras bovinas se modifica en la tritricomonosis y en la campilobacteriosis. Para el caso de la tritricomonosis estas modificaciones pudieron repetirse en un modelo experimental murino. El toro actúa como transmisor de estas enfermedades venéreas, que producen severos trastornos en las hembras, incluyendo muerte embrionaria y aborto, pero que en el macho generan solo en ocasiones una inflamación local leve.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Modelos experimentales para el estudio de la patogenia de la muerte embrionaria en tricomonosis bovina y herpesvirosis equina

Desde hace mucho tiempo, por razones prácticas, científicas y éticas, se han desarrollado modelos experimentales con animales de laboratorio para su aplicación en investigaciones biomédicas. Los modelos animales se definen como “organismos vivientes con una inherente adquisición natural a procesos patológicos inducidos o espontáneos que, de una u otra manera, semejan el mismo fenómeno ocurrido en el hospedador natural” (Márquez, 1997). Los animales de laboratorio son modelos muy convenientes y herramientas útiles para utilizar en el estudio de muchas enfermedades infecciosas. En el caso de medicina veterinaria, en especial cuando se trata de enfermedades de grandes animales, el uso del hospedador natural para estudiar aspectos patogénicos e inmunológicos de una infección, muchas veces se torna dificultoso, tanto por las inconveniencias que genera el manejo de estos animales como por el costo que implica. Debido al interés y la complejidad en el estudio de las enfermedades infecciosas, hay una búsqueda en la profundización de los conocimientos del proceso intrínseco de la inmunopatogenia que requiere de la creación de modelos animales alternativos a los hospedadores naturales. El objetivo es generar diseños experimentales confiables y reproducibles, desarrollables en medios controlados en espacios reducidos y con menor costo. Entre las múltiples ventajas que derivan de la utilización de modelos experimentales en el estudio de diferentes enfermedades, se mencionan las siguientes como las más importantes: • Conocer la historia natural de la enfermedad, cuya etiología, patogenia, sintomatología y evolución pueden mantenerse en condiciones experimentales, sin la influencia de factores extraños que la modifiquen. • Reproducir la enfermedad en forma experimental, casi a voluntad, lo que permite disponer de la casuística necesaria. • Realizar estudios fisiopatológicos, desarrollando nuevas técnicas diagnósticas para tal enfermedad. • Estudiar las enfermedades en animales endocriados lo que permite un amplio campo de investigación en inmunología, patología y genética, entre otras áreas (Cuba Caparó, 1982). En la selección de la especie utilizada como modelo animal es importante tener en cuenta algunas características generales: a) que permita la transferencia de la información, b) bajo costo y disponibilidad permanentes, c) generalización de los resultados, d) facilidad y adaptabilidad a la manipulación experimental, e) que se pueda contar con un número de animales necesarios para realizar el experimento, f) tiempo de vida, edad en que se alcanza la adultez y generación del número de progenies necesarias en poco tiempo, g) consecuencias ecológicas e implicancias éticas de su uso (Klein, 2000).Incluye las palabras de presentación del proyecto a cargo del Dr. Carlos O. Scoppa.Academia Nacional de Agronomía y Veterinari

Understanding bottom-up continuous hydrothermal synthesis of nanoparticles using empirical measurement and computational simulation

Continuous hydrothermal synthesis was highlighted in a recent review as an enabling technology for the production of nanoparticles. In recent years, it has been shown to be a suitable reaction medium for the synthesis of a wide range of nanomaterials. Many single and complex nanomaterials such as metals, metal oxides, doped oxides, carbonates, sulfides, hydroxides, phosphates, and metal organic frameworks can be formed using continuous hydrothermal synthesis techniques. This work presents a methodology to characterize continuous hydrothermal flow systems both experimentally and numerically, and to determine the scalability of a counter current supercritical water reactor for the large scale production (>1,000 T·year–1) of nanomaterials. Experiments were performed using a purpose-built continuous flow rig, featuring an injection loop on a metal salt feed line, which allowed the injection of a chromophoric tracer. At the system outlet, the tracer was detected using UV/Vis absorption, which could be used to measure the residence time distribution within the reactor volume. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations were also conducted using a modeled geometry to represent the experimental apparatus. The performance of the CFD model was tested against experimental data, verifying that the CFD model accurately predicted the nucleation and growth of the nanomaterials inside the reactor

Truncating FLNC Mutations Are Associated With High-Risk Dilated and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies

BACKGROUND: Filamin C (encoded by the FLNC gene) is essential for sarcomere attachment to the plasmatic membrane. FLNC mutations have been associated with myofibrillar myopathies, and cardiac involvement has been reported in some carriers. Accordingly, since 2012, the authors have included FLNC in the genetic screening of patients with inherited cardiomyopathies and sudden death. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between truncating mutations in FLNC and the development of high-risk dilated and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. METHODS: FLNC was studied using next-generation sequencing in 2,877 patients with inherited cardiovascular diseases. A characteristic phenotype was identified in probands with truncating mutations in FLNC. Clinical and genetic evaluation of 28 affected families was performed. Localization of filamin C in cardiac tissue was analyzed in patients with truncating FLNC mutations using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Twenty-three truncating mutations were identified in 28 probands previously diagnosed with dilated, arrhythmogenic, or restrictive cardiomyopathies. Truncating FLNC mutations were absent in patients with other phenotypes, including 1,078 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Fifty-four mutation carriers were identified among 121 screened relatives. The phenotype consisted of left ventricular dilation (68%), systolic dysfunction (46%), and myocardial fibrosis (67%); inferolateral negative T waves and low QRS voltages on electrocardiography (33%); ventricular arrhythmias (82%); and frequent sudden cardiac death (40 cases in 21 of 28 families). Clinical skeletal myopathy was not observed. Penetrance was >97% in carriers older than 40 years. Truncating mutations in FLNC cosegregated with this phenotype with a dominant inheritance pattern (combined logarithm of the odds score: 9.5). Immunohistochemical staining of myocardial tissue showed no abnormal filamin C aggregates in patients with truncating FLNC mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Truncating mutations in FLNC caused an overlapping phenotype of dilated and left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies complicated by frequent premature sudden death. Prompt implantation of a cardiac defibrillator should be considered in affected patients harboring truncating mutations in FLNC.Instituto de Salud Carlos III [PI11/0699, PI14/0967, PI14/01477, RD012/0042/0029, RD012/0042/0049, RD012/0042/0066, RD12/0042/0069]; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [SAF2015-71863-REDT]; Plan Nacional de I+D+I; Plan Estatalde I+D+I, European Regional Development Fund; Health in Code SLS

Repensar els estudis catalans des de la teoria queer

Catalan Studies are basically focused on national/linguistic identity, but recent debate on Catalan identity triggered by the current pro-independent process in Catalonia, may help reshape this academic field. A more diverse approach to Catalan culture should consider sexuality, which has traditionally been banished from literary analysis as a ‘private’ matter. Here, we discussed how queer theory can reframe Catalan Studies mainly by building a specific LGBT literary tradition, identifying queer episodes and characters in the canon, questioning received meanings, promoting interdisciplinary analysis of Catalan culture and exploring the role of queer subjectivity in history

Natural History of MYH7-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Variants in myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) are responsible for disease in 1% to 5% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); however, the clinical characteristics and natural history of MYH7-related DCM are poorly described. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the phenotype and prognosis of MYH7-related DCM. We also evaluated the influence of variant location on phenotypic expression. METHODS We studied clinical data from 147 individuals with DCM-causing MYH7 variants (47.6% female; 35.6 +/- 19.2 years) recruited from 29 international centers. RESULTS At initial evaluation, 106 (72.1%) patients had DCM (left ventricular ejection fraction: 34.5% +/- 11.7%). Median follow-up was 4.5 years (IQR: 1.7-8.0 years), and 23.7% of carriers who were initially phenotype-negative developed DCM. Phenotypic expression by 40 and 60 years was 46% and 88%, respectively, with 18 patients (16%) first diagnosed at <18 years of age. Thirty-six percent of patients with DCM met imaging criteria for LV noncompaction. During follow-up, 28% showed left ventricular reverse remodeling. Incidence of adverse cardiac events among patients with DCM at 5 years was 11.6%, with 5 (4.6%) deaths caused by end-stage heart failure (ESHF) and 5 patients (4.6%) requiring heart transplantation. The major ventricular arrhythmia rate was low (1.0% and 2.1% at 5 years in patients with DCM and in those with LVEF of <= 35%, respectively). ESHF and major ventricular arrhythmia were significantly lower compared with LMNA-related DCM and similar to DCM caused by TTN truncating variants. CONCLUSIONS MYH7-related DCM is characterized by early age of onset, high phenotypic expression, low left ventricular reverse remodeling, and frequent progression to ESHF. Heart failure complications predominate over ventricular arrhythmias, which are rare. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Antioxidant Activity and Phenol Content in Different Tissues of Stone Fruits at Thinning and at Commercial Maturity Stages

Fruits and their by-products are a font of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds which are heterogeneously distributed in the different tissues. These by-products include thinned fruits that contains large amounts of bioactive compounds. The present study aims to determine changes in antioxidant activity and polyphenols in different tissues (peel, flesh and seed) of five stone fruits (apricot, peach, flat peach, nectarine and plum) at thinning and at commercial maturity stage. The phenol and flavonoid contents decreased from thinning to harvest for peel and flesh (up to 95%). Hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly neochlorogenic and chlorogenic, were the predominant groups of phenols in both maturity stages, thinning and commercial. The seeds were the tissues with the highest antioxidant capacity, particularly the flat peach seed in both maturity stages. Thus, thinned stone fruit extracts might be used as a source of beneficial compounds. Also, seeds of some fruits at commercial maturity, a by-product of juice and jam industries, could be a promising source of bioactive antioxidants.This work was funded by the Department of Industry and Innovation of the Aragón Government, and the European Social Fund (Project 229402/1—Plant Food Research Group).Peer reviewe

Position statement for the management of comorbidities in psoriasis

Background: The association between psoriasis and some diseases has become relevant in recent years. Providing appropriate management of psoriasis from an early stage requires prompt diagnosis and treatment of concomitant diseases and to prevent any potential comorbidity. This approach should consider the adverse events of the drugs used to treat psoriasis potentially related to the onset of comorbidities. Objective: To provide the dermatologist with an accurate and friendly tool for systematizing the diagnosis of psoriasis-associated comorbidities, which generally escapes the scope of the dermatology setting, and to facilitate decision-making about the referral and treatment of patients with comorbidities. Methods: These position statement recommendations were developed by a working group composed of ten experts (four dermatologists, one cardiologist, one rheumatologist, one gastroenterologist, one nephrologist, one endocrinologist and one psychiatrist) and two health services researchers. The expert group selected the psoriasis comorbidities considered according to their relevance in the dermatology setting. The recommendations on diagnostic criteria are based on the current clinical practice guidelines for each of the comorbidities. The information regarding the repercussion of psoriasis medical treatments on associated comorbid diseases was obtained from the summary of product characteristics of each drug. Results: Recommendations were developed to detect and refer the following psoriasis comorbidities: psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease and psychological disorders (anxiety and depression). In addition, alcohol consumption and tobacco consumption were included. The tables and figures are precise, easy-to-use tools to systematize the diagnosis of comorbidities in patients with psoriasis and facilitate the decision-making process regarding referral and treatment of patients with an associated disease. Conclusion: The application of these position statement recommendations will facilitate the dermatologist practice, and benefit psoriasis patients' health and quality of life.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry andCompetitiveness) PI 14/01751, PI 17/01972 and ‘Fundación Investigación Clinico-Dermatológica’5.113 JCR (2018) Q1, 6/66 Dermatology1.647 SJR (2018) Q1, 7/146 DermatologyNo data IDR 2018UE