Regulación neuroendocrina del sistema inmune

El sistema inmune recibe señales del sistema nervioso central (cerebro) vía el sistema nervioso autónomo y el sistema endocrino. El sistema inmune, a su vez, envía información al cerebro vía citocinas. Este sistema de retroalimentación es vital para el funcionamiento adecuado del organismo en situaciones normales, y en aquellas en las que la homeostasis se ve perturbada, como en casos de estrés, consumo de drogas (terapéuticas o de abuso), enfermedades infecciosas y cáncer

EGF Receptor Signaling Is Essential for K-Ras Oncogene-Driven Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

SummaryClinical evidence indicates that mutation/activation of EGF receptors (EGFRs) is mutually exclusive with the presence of K-RAS oncogenes in lung and colon tumors. We have validated these observations using genetically engineered mouse models. However, development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas driven by K-Ras oncogenes are totally dependent on EGFR signaling. Similar results were obtained using human pancreatic tumor cell lines. EGFRs were also essential even in the context of pancreatic injury and absence of p16Ink4a/p19Arf. Only loss of p53 made pancreatic tumors independent of EGFR signaling. Additional inhibition of PI3K and STAT3 effectively prevented proliferation of explants derived from these p53-defective pancreatic tumors. These findings may provide the bases for more rational approaches to treat pancreatic tumors in the clinic

Life-history traits of the giant squid Architeuthis dux revealed from stable isotope signatures recorded in beaks

Peer reviewedPreprin

Macro- and micro- properties of multi-recycled aggregate concrete

ABSTRACT: In a future scenario in which all the concrete is recycled concrete, it will be necessary to recycle the recycled concrete. However, it is known that the recycling of concrete implies a loss of properties. This paper shows an innovative technique, the computerized microtomograph, used to evaluate closed porosity, volume of limestone aggregate fraction and volume of mortar of the multi-recycled aggregate concrete, in order to answer the question: how many times it is possible to recycle concrete? First, the source concrete mix using limestone coarse and fine aggregates was characterized. This mix was crushed to obtain a recycled aggregate that was used to manufacture the 1st generation or current recycled aggregate concrete. After the characterization of this 1st generation concrete, and in the same way, a 2nd and a 3rd generation concrete were obtained and characterized, using recycled aggregates from the 1st and 2nd concrete generations respectively. The evaluation by computerized axial tomography allows to know how the successive recycled affect the properties of the concrete. The results show that it is possible to observe the distribution and quantify the aggregate, cement paste and closed porosity contents of the recycled aggregate concrete showing that 3rd generation recycled concrete shows almost twice as much mortar as 1st generation one and demonstrates that it is only possible to recycle the concrete a finite number of times

Oxidative Balance Scores (OBSs) Integrating Nutrient, Food and Lifestyle Dimensions: Development of the NutrientL-OBS and FoodL-OBS

This research was co-funded by the Health Research Found (FIS), Accion Estrategica en Salud (AES), of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, grant number PI12/00002, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).Oxidative Balance Scores (OBS) are tools that allow us to assess the individual's antioxidant state by ranking both antioxidant and pro-oxidant components of dietary and lifestyle factors. Our aim was to develop novel OBSs accounting for either the global supply of nutrient antioxidants in the diet, or the intake of antioxidant-rich foods, in combination with lifestyle factors. Pro-oxidant factors were also considered. Within two centers of the Spanish European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, EPIC-Granada and EPIC-Gipuzkoa (N = 14,756 participants), we developed the Nurient, Food and Lifestyle OBS (NutrientL-OBS and FoodL-OBS), and their simplified versions (solely with dietary or lifestyle factors, the Nutrient-OBS, Food-OBS and L-OBS). Their antioxidant potential was evaluated considering their relationship with: (i) 20 scores of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD); and, (ii) 25 biomarkers of antioxidant nutrients (ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, etc.), inflammation (CRP, TNF-alpha, etc.) and oxidative stress (uric acid), among 210 participants. Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to analyze these associations. Some statistically significant relationships were encountered between the NutrientL-OBS and the FoodL-OBS with the MD scores, and with ascorbic acid (per one-unit increase in OBS: beta = 0.012 and 0.015; p = 0.022 and 0.008, respectively) and CRP (per one-unit increase in both OBS: beta = -0.02; p = 0.02); the latter appeared to be restricted to the OBS ' s lifestyle components. In conclusion, the NutrientL- and FoodL-OBSs and their sub-versions are related to antioxidant-rich dietary patterns and to biomarkers of antioxidant nutrient intake and inflammation, supporting that these tools are valid to assess the individual ' s oxidative/antioxidant status.Health Research Found (FIS), Accion Estrategica en Salud (AES), of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness PI12/00002European Commissio

Differences between 1999 and 2010 across the Falkland Plateau: fronts and water masses

Decadal differences in the Falkland Plateau are studied from the two full-depth hydrographic data collected during the ALBATROSS (April 1999) and MOC-Austral (February 2010) cruises. Differences in the upper 100 dbar are due to changes in the seasonal thermocline, as the ALBATROSS cruise took place in the austral fall and the MOCAustral cruise in summer. The intermediate water masses seem to be very sensitive to the wind conditions existing in their formation area, showing cooling and freshening for the decade as a consequence of a higher Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) contribution and of a decrease in the Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) stratum. The deeper layers do not exhibit any significant change in the water mass properties. The Subantarctic Front (SAF) in 1999 is observed at 52.2–54.8 W with a relative mass transport of 32.6 Sv. In contrast, the SAF gets wider in 2010, stretching from 51.1 to 57.2 W (the Falkland Islands), and weakening to 17.9 Sv. Changes in the SAF can be linked with the westerly winds and mainly affect the northward flow of Subantarctic Surface Water (SASW), SAMW and AAIW/Antarctic Surface Water (AASW). The Polar Front (PF) carries 24.9 Sv in 1999 (49.8–44.4 W), while in 2010 (49.9–49.2 W) it narrows and strengthens to 37.3 Sv.En prens

Multiple recycled aggregate properties analysed by X-ray microtomography

This paper presents a novel technique used to analyse the volume of adhered mortar to the recycled aggregate. A computerized microtomograph (?CT) device was used to evaluate the volume of the aggregate, the volume of natural aggregate and the volume of adhered mortar. To this end, a natural aggregate has been characterized, using the ?CT, with which a source concrete has been produced. Subsequently, the source concrete has been crushed to obtain a first cycle recycled aggregate. After the characterization of the first-generation of recycled aggregate, a new source concrete has been made with it to be subsequently crushed again obtaining a second-generation recycled aggregates. In the same way a third-generation recycled aggregate has been obtained and has been equally characterized. The results show that the compaction capacity of the aggregate is reduced after successive recycling. It has been possible to quantify how much the closed porosity of the recycled aggregate decreases with the number of times it is recycled. The loss of natural aggregate and increase of the volume of adhered mortar have also been evaluated using this technique.The Erasmus+Program, founded by the Staff Mobility for Teaching Program of the European Council 2016/217, between Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon and the LADICIM - University of Cantabria. CERIS and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding this research

Los taninos en los forrajes y su papel en la nutrición de los rumiantes. Artículo reseña

This article describes the main characteristics and effects of fodder tannins in ruminant nutrition. Its definition, characteristics and more general properties are stated. Highlighting its negative effects such as decreased consumption, digestibility and efficiency of use of some nutrients; and its positive influences are shown, such as the protection of rumen degradation proteins, the prevention of meteorism and its effect against gastrointestinal parasites. Only the knowledge of the characteristics of the tannins, together with the different contexts of animal feeding, will allow to establish the adequate management of food and animals that minimizes the negative effect and guarantees a positive action of these phenolic substances in the nutrition of the ruminantsEn este artículo se reseñan las principales características y efectos de los taninos de los forrajes en la nutrición de los rumiantes. Se enuncian su definición, características y propiedades más generales. Destacándose sus efectos negativos como la disminución del consumo, la digestibilidad y eficiencia de utilización de algunos nutrientes; y se muestran sus influencias positivas, como la protección de las proteínas de la degradación ruminal, la prevención del meteorismo y su efecto contra los parásitos gastrointestinales. Sólo el conocimiento de las características de los taninos, unido a los diferentes contextos de alimentación animal, permitirá establecer el manejo adecuado de los alimentos y de los animales que minimice el efecto negativo y garantice una acción positiva de estas sustancias fenólicas en la nutrición de los rumiantes