Diet transition to a high-fat diet for 3 weeks reduces brain omega-3-fatty acid levels, alters BDNF signaling and induces anxiety & depression-like behavior in adult rats

Background: The consumption of diets high in calories and low in nutrient value is becoming increasingly common in modern society, which can lead to metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, and potentially to psychiatric disorders. We have performed studies to assess how the shift from a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to a diet rich in saturated fatty acid affects the substrates for brain plasticity and function, and anxiety and depression-like behavior. Methods: Pregnant rats were fed with omega-3 supplemented diet from their 2nd day of gestation period as well as their male pups for 12 weeks. Afterwards, the animals were randomly assigned to either a group fed on the same diet or a group fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) rich in saturated fats for 3 weeks. Anxiety and depression-like behaviors were assessed by using open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM). Molecular assessments were performed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus as dysfunctions in these brain regions are main contributors towards depression, anxiety-like behavior and stress. Results: We found that the HFD increased vulnerability for anxiety and depression-like behavior, and that these modifications harmonized with changes in the anxiety-related neuropeptide Y (NPY)-1 receptor. The HFD reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the BDNF signaling receptor pTrkB, as well as the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), in these brain regions. Brain DHA contents were significantly associated with the levels of anxiety and depression-like behavior in these rats. Conclusions: These results suggest that the change in dietary lifestyle leading to alteration of dietary n3/n-6 fatty acids levels imposes a risk factor for anxiety-like behaviors. Dietary DHA might help for building cognitive reserve that can resist psychiatric disorders

Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Genome-Wide Transcriptomic, Methylomic, and Network Perturbations in Brain and Blood Predicting Neurological Disorders.

The complexity of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathology, particularly concussive injury, is a serious obstacle for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term prognosis. Here we utilize modern systems biology in a rodent model of concussive injury to gain a thorough view of the impact of TBI on fundamental aspects of gene regulation, which have the potential to drive or alter the course of the TBI pathology. TBI perturbed epigenomic programming, transcriptional activities (expression level and alternative splicing), and the organization of genes in networks centered around genes such as Anax2, Ogn, and Fmod. Transcriptomic signatures in the hippocampus are involved in neuronal signaling, metabolism, inflammation, and blood function, and they overlap with those in leukocytes from peripheral blood. The homology between genomic signatures from blood and brain elicited by TBI provides proof of concept information for development of biomarkers of TBI based on composite genomic patterns. By intersecting with human genome-wide association studies, many TBI signature genes and network regulators identified in our rodent model were causally associated with brain disorders with relevant link to TBI. The overall results show that concussive brain injury reprograms genes which could lead to predisposition to neurological and psychiatric disorders, and that genomic information from peripheral leukocytes has the potential to predict TBI pathogenesis in the brain

Effects of diet and/or exercise in enhancing spinal cord sensorimotor learning.

Given that the spinal cord is capable of learning sensorimotor tasks and that dietary interventions can influence learning involving supraspinal centers, we asked whether the presence of omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the curry spice curcumin (Cur) by themselves or in combination with voluntary exercise could affect spinal cord learning in adult spinal mice. Using an instrumental learning paradigm to assess spinal learning we observed that mice fed a diet containing DHA/Cur performed better in the spinal learning paradigm than mice fed a diet deficient in DHA/Cur. The enhanced performance was accompanied by increases in the mRNA levels of molecular markers of learning, i.e., BDNF, CREB, CaMKII, and syntaxin 3. Concurrent exposure to exercise was complementary to the dietary treatment effects on spinal learning. The diet containing DHA/Cur resulted in higher levels of DHA and lower levels of omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) in the spinal cord than the diet deficient in DHA/Cur. The level of spinal learning was inversely related to the ratio of AA:DHA. These results emphasize the capacity of select dietary factors and exercise to foster spinal cord learning. Given the non-invasiveness and safety of the modulation of diet and exercise, these interventions should be considered in light of their potential to enhance relearning of sensorimotor tasks during rehabilitative training paradigms after a spinal cord injury

Surgical clavicle reconstruction after aneurysmal bone cyst resection in a child: A simple method

The clavicle is an infrequent location for primary tumors in general, and aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the clavicle is particularly rare. The challenge of the functional and esthetic result in the treatment of these lesions in the pediatric population is high when considering the reconstruction of critical bone defects. In this article, we present the case of a seven -year -old boy with an ABC in the middle third of the clavicle, treated by resection and reconstruction with free autograft of the fibula stabilized by using an intramedullary titanium nail. We offer a description of the used technique, considerations about treatment options in children, and a follow-up of more than two -and -a -half years

Sistematización de la propuesta metodológica de contenidos temáticos para diplomado en formulación y gestión de proyectos

Como punto de partida se desea resolver las siguientes inquietudes que durante el proceso de sistematización serán fundamentales para la comprensión del contenido del documento. El Diplomado: “EMPODERAMIENTO DEL LIDERAZGO COMUNAL PARA LA GESTIÓN DE PROYECTOS DE INVERSIÓN SOCIAL” es una apuesta que está haciendo la corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – Regional Soacha para fortalecer y desarrollar capacidades de liderazgo comunitario y gestión de la ciencia, tecnología e innovación en las personas que hacen parte de las JAC del departamento con el propósito de incrementar su competitividad, sustentabilidad y mejorar significativamente la calidad de vida de las y los residentes de Soacha y Sibaté.En este documento, los autores presentan la propuesta metodológica de contenidos temáticos para el diplomado en EMPODERAMIENTO DEL LIDERAZGO COMUNAL PARA LA GESTIÓN DE PROYECTOS DE INVERSIÓN SOCIAL, producto de investigación desarrollada por el semillero HYSCA, en el programa de Especialización en Gerencia de Proyectos de la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Centro Regional de Soacha Esta propuesta metodológica tiene como fin desarrollar los contenidos temáticos del Diplomado, cuyo objetivo es; “Contribuir al fortalecimiento de los conocimientos, habilidades y competencias en formulación y gestión de proyectos de inversión social de los líderes comunales”; enfocado al módulo 1, EL ROL DEL LIDER COMUNAL. Soportados en proceso histórico de la investigación y los resultados previos, se presenta de forma detallada el proceso alcanzado de planeación, desarrollo y ejecución de los temas propuestos en el módulo del diplomado a través de la sistematización de la experiencia, incluyendo los avances investigativos durante el proceso académico de la especialización, para cumplir con el objetivo del semillero y el programa de postgrado.In this document, the authors present the methodological proposal of thematic contents for the diploma course in EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROJECTS, product of research developed by the HYSCA seed group, in the Project Management Specialization program of the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Soacha Regional Center. This methodological proposal aims to develop the thematic contents of the Diploma, whose objective is to "Contribute to the strengthening of knowledge, skills and competencies in the formulation and management of social investment projects of community leaders"; focused on module 1, THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNAL LEADER. Supported by the historical process of research and previous results, we present in detail the achieved process of planning, development and execution of the topics proposed in the diploma module through the systematization of the experience, including the research advances during the academic process of the specialization, to fulfill the objective of the seedbed and the postgraduate program

Sistematización de la propuesta metodológica de contenidos temáticos para diplomado en formulación y gestión de proyectos

Como punto de partida se desea resolver las siguientes inquietudes que durante el proceso de sistematización serán fundamentales para la comprensión del contenido del documento. El Diplomado: “EMPODERAMIENTO DEL LIDERAZGO COMUNAL PARA LA GESTIÓN DE PROYECTOS DE INVERSIÓN SOCIAL” es una apuesta que está haciendo la corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – Regional Soacha para fortalecer y desarrollar capacidades de liderazgo comunitario y gestión de la ciencia, tecnología e innovación en las personas que hacen parte de las JAC del departamento con el propósito de incrementar su competitividad, sustentabilidad y mejorar significativamente la calidad de vida de las y los residentes de Soacha y Sibaté.En este documento, los autores presentan la propuesta metodológica de contenidos temáticos para el diplomado en EMPODERAMIENTO DEL LIDERAZGO COMUNAL PARA LA GESTIÓN DE PROYECTOS DE INVERSIÓN SOCIAL, producto de investigación desarrollada por el semillero HYSCA, en el programa de Especialización en Gerencia de Proyectos de la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Centro Regional de Soacha Esta propuesta metodológica tiene como fin desarrollar los contenidos temáticos del Diplomado, cuyo objetivo es; “Contribuir al fortalecimiento de los conocimientos, habilidades y competencias en formulación y gestión de proyectos de inversión social de los líderes comunales”; enfocado al módulo 1, EL ROL DEL LIDER COMUNAL. Soportados en proceso histórico de la investigación y los resultados previos, se presenta de forma detallada el proceso alcanzado de planeación, desarrollo y ejecución de los temas propuestos en el módulo del diplomado a través de la sistematización de la experiencia, incluyendo los avances investigativos durante el proceso académico de la especialización, para cumplir con el objetivo del semillero y el programa de postgrado.In this document, the authors present the methodological proposal of thematic contents for the diploma course in EMPOWERMENT OF COMMUNAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROJECTS, product of research developed by the HYSCA seed group, in the Project Management Specialization program of the Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Soacha Regional Center. This methodological proposal aims to develop the thematic contents of the Diploma, whose objective is to "Contribute to the strengthening of knowledge, skills and competencies in the formulation and management of social investment projects of community leaders"; focused on module 1, THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNAL LEADER. Supported by the historical process of research and previous results, we present in detail the achieved process of planning, development and execution of the topics proposed in the diploma module through the systematization of the experience, including the research advances during the academic process of the specialization, to fulfill the objective of the seedbed and the postgraduate program

Nerve Growth Factor Is Responsible for Exercise-Induced Recovery of Septohippocampal Cholinergic Structure and Function

Exercise has been shown to improve or rescue cognitive functioning in both humans and rodents, and the augmented actions of neurotrophins within the hippocampus and associated regions play a significant role in the improved neural plasticity. The septohippocampal circuit is modified by exercise. Beyond an enhancement of spatial working memory and a rescue of hippocampal activity-dependent acetylcholine (ACh) efflux, the re-emergence of the cholinergic/nestin neuronal phenotype within the medial septum/diagonal band (MS/dB) is observed following exercise (Hall and Savage, 2016). To determine which neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or nerve growth factor (NGF), is critical for exercise-induced cholinergic improvements, control and amnestic rats had either NGF or BDNF sequestered by TrkA-IgG or TrkB-IgG coated microbeads placed within the dorsal hippocampus. Hippocampal ACh release within the hippocampus during spontaneous alternation was measured and MS/dB cholinergic neuronal phenotypes were assessed. Sequestering NGF, but not BDNF, abolished the exercise-induced recovery of spatial working memory and ACh efflux. Furthermore, the re-emergence of the cholinergic/nestin neuronal phenotype within the MS/dB following exercise was also selectively dependent on the actions of NGF. Thus, exercise-induced enhancement of NGF within the septohippocampal pathway represents a key avenue for aiding failing septo-hippocampal functioning and therefore has significant potential for the recovery of memory and cognition in several neurological disorders

Jazz Chants una propuesta metodológica que contribuye al aprendizaje del vocabulario en ingles como la lengua extranjera

Propuesta didáctica desarrollada en el Colegio Nacional Nicolás Esguerra, ubicado en la localidad de Kennedy, con los estudiantes del ciclo 3, grado 301. Esta propuesta tiene como objetivo implementar las jazz chants como una estrategia metodológica para incrementar el aprendizaje de vocabulario de inglés como lengua extranjera.Methodological approach developed at the National College Nicolas Esguerra, located in the town of Kennedy, with students of cycle 3, Grade 301. This proposal aims to implement the jazz chants as a methodological strategy to increase vocabulary learning English as a language foreign