Integrative analysis of global gene expression identifies opposite patterns of reactive astrogliosis in aged human prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the brain regions with more prominent changes in human aging. The molecular processes related to the cognitive decline and mood changes during aging are not completely understood. To improve our knowledge, we integrated transcriptomic data of four studies of human PFC from elderly people (58–80 years old) compared with younger people (20–40 years old) using a meta-analytic approximation combined with molecular signature analysis. We identified 1817 differentially expressed genes, 561 up-regulated and 1256 down-regulated. Pathway analysis revealed down-regulation of synaptic genes with conservation of gene expression of other neuronal regions. Additionally, we identified up-regulation of markers of astrogliosis with transcriptomic signature compatible with A1 neurotoxic astrocytes and A2 neuroprotective astrocytes. Response to interferon is related to A1 astrocytes and the A2 phenotype is mediated in aging by activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway and up-regulation of metallothioneins I and genes of the family ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin). The main conclusions of our study are the confirmation of a global dysfunction of the synapses in the aged PFC and the evidence of opposite phenotypes of astrogliosis in the aging brain, which we report for the first time in the present article. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Charcoal obtained from cherry stones in different carbonization atmospheres

The exploitation of using agro-industrial residues as the cherry stone to produce charcoal and activated carbon is very relevant nowadays due to the high demand of these materials and their environmental advantages. This work describes the methods to prepare charcoal from cherry stones (CS) using final heating temperature of 600 °C, with or without the application of an equal flow of nitrogen or air. The isothermal time has been of 2 hours, an adequate time to study carbonisation by varying the atmosphere. The charcoal obtained has the appropriate characteristics as precursors of activated carbon. Of the three samples prepared in different atmospheres, *N, N∼ and AN, the third is an activated carbon. It is evidenced that the yield in material carbonaceous is somewhat lower when applying the nitrogen current and approximately 5% less when applying the air current. For the different samples, in this work we have studied the effects of the atmosphere during the heat treatment of CS, the yield, the chemical composition and the structure, as well as the pore structure of the same

Affordable Housing for Hot and Sub-Humid Climate in Mexico as Result of a Thermal Comfort Study

El artículo presenta un prototipo de vivienda de bajo costo desarrollada con base en estudios de campo llevados a cabo en Colima, México (clima cálido sub-húmedo). Los estudios de campo se dirigieron a un tipo de vivienda promovido por el gobierno mexicano, llamado “vivienda económica”. Son viviendas de 45 m2 construidas con muros de block de cemento y cubiertas con losas de concreto, sin aislamiento térmico. Su diseño atiende a requerimientos de costo, pero carece de criterios sobre eficiencia energética y confort térmico. A partir de los resultados de la investigación, estudiantes asesorados por profesores desarrollaron un proyecto arquitectónico, utilizando estrategias bioclimáticas como dispositivos de sombreado, masa térmica, ventilación natural (ventilación cruzada), ventilación inducida (efecto stack) y ventilación nocturna (intercambio de radiación de onda larga).A prototype of low-cost housing developed on basis of field studies carried out in Colima, Mexico (hot and sub-humid climate) is presented. Field studies were addressed to a type of affordable housing promoted by the Mexican government, called ‘vivienda económica’. These 45 m2 housings are constructed of concrete block walls and concrete slabs for roofs, without any kind of thermal insulation. Their design concept only attends cost requirements, but it lacks criteria on energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Consequently, their occupants have adapted to extreme temperatures. Besides the thermal evaluation of pre-existing housing, two field studies were carried out consisted in a poll about the occupants’ opinion concerning their houses and a thermal comfort survey according to ISO 10551, within the adaptive model approach. With results of such inquiries, undergraduate students advised by professors developed an architectural project. Main bioclimatic strategies considered were shading devices, thermal mass, natural ventilation (cross ventilation), winds induced ventilation (stack effect) and nocturnal ventilation (long-wave radiation exchange).Universidad Veracruzana

Evaluar la calidad de prescripción de Antihipertensivos en pacientes de la Clínica de Dispensarizados en el Centro de Salud Mantica Berrios León. Julio 2013 a Junio 2014.

La hipertensión es uno de los factores de riesgo prevenibles más importante en patología cardiovascular, representando un problema en más de la cuarta parte de la población occidental. Además que es una enfermedad crónica frecuente, presentado un problema mundial de salud. En la presente investgación se realiz162 en el Centro de salud Mantica Berríos en Cuidad de León. Con el objetivo de Evaluar la calidad de prescripción de antihipertensivo en pacientes hipertensos que acudieron a esta clínica en el período de Julio del 2013 al Junio del 2014 aplicando criterios de inclusión, totalizando 150 como nuestro universo. La recolección de datos se realizó con el llenado de la ficha y revisión de expedientes, con resultados obtenidos que el sexo qu más acudía a esta unidad es el sexo femenino, en edades como prioridad de 50 a59 y 60 a más. Los médico que atendían a estos pacientes en la clínica de dispensarizados el 99% verificaba el uso y dosis de los fármacos según en el expediente, y según la cormobilidades de cada paciente que en esta investigación fueron la obesidad, dislipidemia y enfermedad renal como principales, este grupo también recibió una prescripción adecuada. Se verifico por consulta la toma de la presiones y la cifras tensionales de cada paciente. El grupo farmacológico más utilizados en la clínica de dispensarizados son los ARA II principalmente losartn, los IECAS y los diuréticos como la hidroclorizad

Cucurbita maxima Pumpkin Seed Oil: from the Chemical Properties to the Different Extracting Techniques

Pumpkin seed oils are rich in bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, sterols, β-carotene, and lutein that have, along with some fatty acids, high nutritional value factors. In addition, it has so far been proven that these compounds have a positive effect on human health. The present study mainly aimed at evaluating the chemical composition and the bioactive compounds of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oil of the ‘Béjaoui’ Tunisian cultivar using both cold pressing and solvent extraction methods. The seed oils contained substantial amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids, with values ranging respectively from 28.19% for cold pressed pumpkin seed oil to 30.56% for pumpkin seed oil extracted by pentane and from 43.86% for pumpkin seed oil extracted by pentane to 46.67% for cold pressed pumpkin seed oil of the total amount of fatty acids. Investigations of different seed oils revealed that extraction techniques had significant effects on the antioxidant activity and the γ-tocopherol. Cold pressed pumpkin seed oil revealed the highest γ-tocopherol content (599.33 mg kg-1) and the highest oxidative stability (3.84 h). However, the chloroform/methanol extracted pumpkin seed oil, which is rich in total phenolics (54.41 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent kg-1), was a more effective scavenger of DPPH radicals (250 µmoles Trolox kg-1) than the poor phenolic pumpkin seed oils extracted by hexane and pentane (110 µmoles Trolox kg-1 vs 100 µmoles Trolox kg-1). Based on its unique seed oil features, cold press extracted pumpkin seed may add great value to product innovation in the industrial, nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields

Co-expression network analysis identifies possible hub genes in aging of the human prefrontal cortex

Introducción: el envejecimiento es el principal factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas como el cáncer, la diabetes, el Parkinson y el Alzheimer. El sistema nervioso central es particularmente susceptible al deterioro funcional progresivo asociado con la edad, entre las regiones cerebrales con mayor compromiso se encuentra la corteza prefrontal (cpf). Estudios de transcriptómica de esta región han identificado como características fundamentales del proceso de envejecimiento la disminución de la función sináptica y la activación de las células de la neuroglia. No es claro cuáles son las causas iniciales, ni los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes a estas alteraciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar genes clave en la desregulación transcriptómica en el envejecimiento de la cpf para avanzar en el conocimiento de este proceso. Materiales y métodos: se hizo un análisis de coexpresión de genes de los transcriptomas de 45 personas entre 60 y 80 años con el de 38 personas entre 20 y 40 años. Las redes fueron visualizadas y analizadas usando Cytoscape, se usó citoHubba para determinar qué genes tenían las mejores características topológicas en las redes de coexpresión. Resultados: se identificaron cinco genes con características topológicas altas. Cuatro de ellos —hpca, cacng3, ca10, plppr4— reprimidos y uno sobreexpresado —cryab—. Conclusión: los cuatro genes reprimidos se expresan preferencialmente en neuronas y regulan la función sináptica y la plasticidad neuronal, mientras el gen sobreexpresado es típico de células de la glía y se expresa como respuesta a daño neuronal facilitando la mielinización y la regeneración neuronal.Introduction: Aging is the main risk factor for the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to progressive functional deterioration associated with age, among the brain regions the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has one of the highest involvements. Transcriptomics studies of this brain region have identified the decrease in synaptic function and activation of neuroglia cells as fundamental characteristics of the aging process. The aim of this study was to identify hub genes in the transcriptomic deregulation in the PFC aging to advance in the knowledge of this process. Materials and methods: A gene co-expression analysis was carried out for 45 people 60 to 80 years old compared with 38 people 20 to 40 years old. The networks were visualized and analyzed using Cytoscape; citoHubba was used to determine which genes had the best topological characteristics in the co-expression networks. Results: Five genes with high topological characteristics were identified. Four of them —HPCA, CACNG3, CA10, PLPPR4— were repressed and one was over-expressed —CRYAB—. Conclusion: The four repressed genes are expressed preferentially in neurons and regulate the synaptic function and the neuronal plasticity, while the overexpressed gene is typical of glial cells and is expressed as a response to neuronal damage, facilitating myelination and neuronal regeneration