Dynamics of excitable cells: spike-adding phenomena in action

We study the dynamics of action potentials of some electrically excitable cells: neurons and cardiac muscle cells. Bursting, following a fast–slow dynamics, is the most characteristic behavior of these dynamical systems, and the number of spikes may change due to spike-adding phenomenon. Using analytical and numerical methods we give, by focusing on the paradigmatic 3D Hindmarsh–Rose neuron model, a review of recent results on the global organization of the parameter space of neuron models with bursting regions occurring between saddle-node and homoclinic bifurcations (fold/hom bursting). We provide a generic overview of the different bursting regimes that appear in the parametric phase space of the model and the bifurcations among them. These techniques are applied in two realistic frameworks: insect movement gait changes and the appearance of Early Afterdepolarizations in cardiac dynamics

Face-based constructive approach in 3D environment to facilitate the interpretation of multiview orthographic projection to future engineers

[EN] One of the main objectives of Engineering Graphics’ syllabusis to improve the capacity of spatial vision of students, as well as providing essential teaching of graphic representation techniques. In this course, students should create and interpret engineering drawings. However, a significant number of them have problems interpreting and understanding multiview orthographic projections. The course is commonly studied at first year of several engineering Bachelor’s Degrees. In this course, the capacity of spatial vision is critical, asstudents have to interpret a real object from different projection methods. Nevertheless, this is not an obvious task for most students, since either they have no prior training or traditionally this training has no effect on student’s capability of reflexion and interpretation. We consider that facilitating the object interpretation may involve a significant educational improvement. For this reason, in this work we present the approach and development of a specific method to interpret an object. It is focused on harnessing the three dimensional (3D) environment of AutoCAD ® software which is used in the course, for the face-based construction of objects.Pérez-Belis, V.; Gracia-Ibáñez, V.; Plumed, R.; Gómez-Fabra, M.; Agost, M.; Piquer, A.; González-Lluch, C.... (2015). Face-based constructive approach in 3D environment to facilitate the interpretation of multiview orthographic projection to future engineers. En 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION ADVANCES (HEAD' 15). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 218-223. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd15.2015.389OCS21822

Mesenchymal stromal cells combined with elastin-like recombinamers increase angiogenesis in vivo after hindlimb ischemia

Producción CientíficaHindlimb ischemia is an unmet medical need, especially for those patients unable to undergo vascular surgery. Cellular therapy, mainly through mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) administration, may be a potentially attractive approach in this setting. In the current work, we aimed to assess the potential of the combination of MSCs with a proangiogenic elastin-like recombinamer (ELR)–based hydrogel in a hindlimb ischemia murine model. Human bone marrow MSCs were isolated from four healthy donors, while ELR biomaterials were genetically engineered. Hindlimb ischemia was induced through ligation of the right femoral artery, and mice were intramuscularly injected with ELR biomaterial, 0.5 × 106 MSCs or the combination, and also compared to untreated animals. Tissue perfusion was monitored using laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Histological analysis of hindlimbs was performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunofluorescence with anti–human mitochondria antibody was used for human MSC detection, and the biomaterial was detected by elastin staining. To analyze the capillary density, immunostaining with an anti–CD31 antibody was performed. Our results show that the injection of MSCs significantly improves tissue reperfusion from day 7 (p = 0.0044) to day 21 (p = 0.0216), similar to the infusion of MSC + ELR (p = 0.0038, p = 0.0014), without significant differences between both groups. After histological evaluation, ELR hydrogels induced minimal inflammation in the injection sites, showing biocompatibility. MSCs persisted with the biomaterial after 21 days, both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we observed a higher blood vessel density when mice were treated with MSCs compared to control (p<0.0001), but this effect was maximized and significantly different to the remaining experimental conditions when mice were treated with the combination of MSCs and the ELR biomaterial (p < 0.0001). In summary, the combination of an ELR-based hydrogel with MSCs may improve the angiogenic effects of both strategies on revascularization of ischemic tissues.Spanish Government (RTI2018-096320-B-C22, FPU16-04015, PID2019-110709RB-I00, PID2020-118669RA-I00)Interreg V España Portugal POCTEP (0624_2IQBIONEURO_6_E), Centro en Red de Medicina Regenerativa y Terapia Celular de Castilla y LeónConsejería de Educación de Castilla y León (CAS079P17)Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI19/01630)Programs of ISCIII- European Regional Development Fund (RD16/0011/0015, RD21/ 0017/0006

Exosomes as Hedgehog carriers in cytoneme-mediated transport and secretion

The Hedgehog signalling pathway is crucial for development, adult stem cell maintenance, cell migration and axon guidance in a wide range of organisms. During development, the Hh morphogen directs tissue patterning according to a concentration gradient. Lipid modifications on Hh are needed to achieve graded distribution, leading to debate about how Hh is transported to target cells despite being membrane-tethered. Cytonemes in the region of Hh signalling have been shown to be essential for gradient formation, but the carrier of the morphogen is yet to be defined. Here we show that Hh and its co-receptor Ihog are in exovesicles transported via cytonemes. These exovesicles present protein markers and other features of exosomes. Moreover, the cell machinery for exosome formation is necessary for normal Hh secretion and graded signalling. We propose Hh transport via exosomes along cytonemes as a significant mechanism for the restricted distribution of a lipid-modified morphogen.PostprintPeer reviewe

Cuerpos estereotipados, cuerpos enterrados, cuerpos representados, cuerpos cambiantes. Una aproximación panorámica desde la arqueología feminista

En este trabajo abordamos distintas vías de aproximación a las identidades corporales femeninas y a su agencia, desde una perspectiva transversal, tomando como referencia algunos casos de estudio procedentes de contextos seleccionados de la prehistoria y protohistoria de la península ibérica, así como del Mediterráneo Antiguo. Tres ejes principales ordenarán este acercamiento: en primer lugar, una reflexión sobre los estereotipos de las imágenes de la prehistoria, que han generado modelos comprensivos sobre el pasado que están profundamente distorsionados; en segundo lugar, el estudio de las identidades corporales, a través del análisis de los cuerpos depositados y representados en distintos casos seleccionados y, por último, una mirada desde la bioarqueología sobre el rol, los cuidados y las transformaciones de los cuerpos femeninos contextualizados en su propio ciclo vital. Esta reflexión colectiva nos permite ofrecer una puesta al día aproximativa a las líneas de investigación que, desde el grupo Pastwomen, desarrollamos en relación con el estudio de las corporalidades en el pasado, como base analítica fundamental para profundizar en los comportamientos sociales y en la construcción de las identidades colectivas. Pero, también, para la generación de nuevas narrativas y de un imaginario del pasado, colectivo e inclusivo, basado en la investigación rigurosa. In this paper we present a number of approaches to the issue of female corporeal identities and their agency. Employing a traverse perspective, we focus on a variety of prehistoric and protohistoric case studies from the Iberian Peninsula as well as from the ancient Mediterranean in general. Our proposal follows three principal lines of research: first, we reflect on the stereotypical images of prehistory which have produced profoundly distorted models of the past. Second, we examine the question of corporeal identities based on a group of selected burials. Finally, using bioarchaeological data, the third line is a comprehensive overview of social status, level of care, and visible changes in female bodies within the context of their specific life cycle. We offer a general reflection which allows us to present the current state of research that has been undertaken by the group Past Women. This covers the study of corporeal identities in the past as a fundamental analytical basis to analyze social behavior and the construction of collective identities. It also helps generate new narratives, collective and inclusive, based on rigorous research

Towards a Sustainable Campus: Working Together to Achieve the Green Campus Flag on the UDC Peripheral Campus of Ferrol

[Abstract] Purpose. This paper aims to present and describe the main actions carried out in six different faculties and common areas such as cultural and research centres and administrative buildings in the Ferrol campus at the University of A Coruña to achieve the second green flag on a Galician University. Design/methodology/approach. A case study describing the steps for implementing a green campus programme in a medium-size, young university campus integrated into a small city. An Environmental Campus Committee was created to assess the main factors that affect environmental footprint, discuss sustainability initiatives and develop a guide to action regarding different goals related to sustainable transport options, energy, water conservation and waste reduction. The actions included several fields such as education, circular economy and healthy life and involved the on and off-campus community. Findings. The programme achieved a decrease in water consumption and electrical energy. An important change in educational values and behaviours regarding sustainability was observed in and out of the campus community. The measurements adopted mainly in waste management, mobility and education led the Ferrol campus to achieve a green campus flag on November 2019. Originality/value. This experiment can serve as a guide to establish the Green Campus philosophy in other similar university campuses.The authors of this article want to thank the finantial and institutional support of Environmental Office of University of A Coruña to develop talks, activities and to implement different actions in Ferrol Campus. The authors of this article want to thank the finantial and institutional support of Vicerrectorado del Campus de Ferrol y Responsabilidad Social of University of A Coruña to achieve the Green Flag. Ana Ares-Pernas wants to thank the financial support of Vicerrectorado de Planificación Académica e Innovación Docente of University of A Coruña obtained in the I Edition of the Prizes for Teaching Innovation Projects in Service-Learning to develop Service-Learning activitie

CD38 Deficiency Ameliorates Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Murine Lupus via a B-Cell-Dependent Mechanism

© 2021 Martínez-Blanco, Domínguez-Pantoja, Botía-Sánchez, Pérez-Cabrera, Bello-Iglesias, Carrillo-Rodríguez, Martin-Morales, Lario-Simón, Pérez-Sánchez-Cañete, Montosa-Hidalgo, Guerrero-Fernández, Longobardo-Polanco, Redondo-Sánchez, Cornet-Gomez, Torres-Sáez, Fernández-Ibáñez, Terrón-Camero, Andrés-León, O’Valle, Merino, Zubiaur and Sancho.The absence of the mouse cell surface receptor CD38 in Cd38−/− mice suggests that this receptor acts as a positive regulator of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. Here, we report that, in the context of the chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) lupus inducible model, the transfer of B6.C-H2bm12/KhEg(bm12) spleen cells into co-isogenic Cd38−/− B6 mice causes milder lupus-like autoimmunity with lower levels of anti-ssDNA autoantibodies than the transfer of bm12 spleen cells into WT B6 mice. In addition, significantly lower percentages of Tfh cells, as well as GC B cells, plasma cells, and T-bet+CD11chi B cells, were observed in Cd38−/− mice than in WT mice, while the expansion of Treg cells and Tfr cells was normal, suggesting that the ability of Cd38−/− B cells to respond to allogeneic help from bm12 CD4+ T cells is greatly diminished. The frequencies of T-bet+CD11chi B cells, which are considered the precursors of the autoantibody-secreting cells, correlate with anti-ssDNA autoantibody serum levels, IL-27, and sCD40L. Proteomics profiling of the spleens from WT cGVHD mice reflects a STAT1-driven type I IFN signature, which is absent in Cd38−/− cGVHD mice. Kidney, spleen, and liver inflammation was mild and resolved faster in Cd38−/− cGVHD mice than in WT cGVHD mice. We conclude that CD38 in B cells functions as a modulator receptor that controls autoimmune responses.S and MZ received financial support through “Proyecto del Plan Estatal”: SAF2017–89801-R. The IPBLN-CSIC Proteomics Unit belonged to ProteoRed-ISCIII (PRB2; PRB3) and was supported by grants PT13/0001/0011 (IPBLN-CSIC) and PT17/0019/0010 (CIB-CSIC; IPBLN-CSIC). RM: Project: SAF2017-82905-R. FO'V: Cátedra MIS IMPLANT-UGR. The stay of AC-G in Sancho’s lab was supported by a fellowship-contract JAE-Intro (CSIC). The stay of MD-P in Sancho’s lab was supported by a 1-year post-doctoral fellowship (Reference No. 502492) from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) of México. EA-L was recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship from the regional Andalusian Government

COVID-19 outbreaks in a transmission control scenario: challenges posed by social and leisure activities, and for workers in vulnerable conditions, Spain, early summer 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community-wide transmission declined in Spain by early May 2020, being replaced by outbreaks and sporadic cases. From mid-June to 2 August, excluding single household outbreaks, 673 outbreaks were notified nationally, 551 active (>6,200 cases) at the time. More than half of these outbreaks and cases coincided with: (i) social (family/friends’ gatherings or leisure venues) and (ii) occupational (mainly involving workers in vulnerable conditions) settings. Control measures were accordingly applied

Determinación de la filiación en las técnicas de reproducción humana asistida: especial referencia a la gestación por sustitución transfronteriza

[ES]Actualmente existe un turismo procreativo internacional. Cada año se desplazan de un país a otro (dentro del contexto europeo) unas 25.000 mujeres. España es uno de los destinos clave de este turismo y es que posee una regulación legal de la reproducción asistida que permite numerosas prácticas. De hecho, España es líder europeo en técnicas de reproducción asistida