(μ-3,4-Diacetyl­hexa-2,4-diene-2,5-diol­ato-κ4 O 2,O 3:O 4,O 5)bis­[aqua(1,10-phen­an­thro­line-κ2 N,N′)copper(II)] bis­(tetra­fluorid­oborate) monohydrate

In the title compound, [Cu2(C10H12O4)(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2](BF4)2·H2O, the two Cu atoms are each chelated by the acetyl­acetonate unit of the 3,4-diacetyl­hexa-2,4-diene-2,5-diolate (tae) ligand. The Cu atoms are square-pyramidally penta­coordinated, with one bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and the tae ligand basal and one water mol­ecule apical. The pyridyl rings of the phen ligands participate in π–π [centroid–centroid distance = 3.894 (3) Å] and C—H ⋯ π inter­actions, generating layers which are inter­connected through O—H⋯O and O—H⋯F hydrogen bonds between the water mol­ecules and the tetra­fluorido­borate anions. The F atoms of both tetra­fluorido­borate anions are each disordered over two positions of equal occupancy

Heating ventilation and air-conditioned configurations for hotels an approach review for the design and exploitation

The tourism sector is one of the main worldwide economic sectors with sustained growth, demonstrating its strength and resilience. In this sector, energy uses have increased to ensure quality, guest comfort, and rate level requirements being a building with great energy consumption. Several factors influence and can produce a significant variation in hotel consumption even in facilities located in the same region; the difference in a four-star hotel can reach 114 kWh/m2 /year. This paper deals with related aspects such as hotel design, operation, type of service, occupancy patterns, operating point and efficiency of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system where 30 to 50% of the energy is consumed. Also, previous works based on the implementation of non-conventional energy resources such as photovoltaics projects to replace fuel dependence and high costs in electricity bills were reviewed. where there are savings of up to 30% in electricity and 60% in gas consumption. However, the initial capital investment and payback period are high and require new features to be considered in these facilities

Amino acid tissue levels and GABAa receptor binding in the developing rat cerebellum following status epilepticus

Incidence of status epilepticus (SE) is higher in children than in adults and SE can be induced in developing rats. The cerebellum can be affected after SE; however, consequences of cerebellar amino acid transmission have been poorly studied. The goal of this study was to determine amino acid tissue concentration and GABAA receptor binding in the immature rat cerebellum after an episode of SE. Thirteen-day-old (P13) rat pups received in- traperitoneal injections of lithium chloride (3 mEq/kg). Twenty hours later, on P14, SE was induced by subcutaneous injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg). Control ani- mals were given an equal volume of saline subcutaneously. Animals were killed 24 h after SE induction, the cerebellum was quickly removed, and the vermis and hemispheres were rapidly dissected out on ice. Amino acid tissue concentrations in the vermis and hemi- spheres were evaluated by HPLC and fluorescent detection. GABAA receptor binding in the medial vermis was analyzed by in vitro autoradiography. SE increased the tissue levels of the inhibitory amino acids taurine (80%) and alanine (91%), as well as glutamine (168%) in the cerebellar hemisphere; no changes were observed in the vermis. SE did not modify GABAA receptor binding in any cerebellar lobule from the vermis. Our data demonstrate that SE produces region-specific changes in amino acid concentrations in the developing cerebellum

Pro-oxidant status and matrix metalloproteinases in apical lesions and gingival crevicular fluid as potential biomarkers for asymptomatic apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment response

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases -9 and -2 are involved in periodontal breakdown, whereas gingival crevicular fluid has been reported to reflect apical status. The aim of this study was to characterize oxidant balance and activity levels of MMP -2 and -9 in apical lesions and healthy periodontal ligament; and second, to determine whether potential changes in oxidant balance were reflected in gingival crevicular fluid from asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP)-affected teeth at baseline and after endodontic treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with clinical diagnosis of AAP and healthy volunteers having indication of tooth extraction were recruited. Apical lesions and healthy periodontal ligaments, respectively, were homogenized or processed to obtain histological tissue sections. Matrix metalloproteinase -9 and -2 levels and/or activity were analyzed by Immunowestern blot, zymography and consecutive densitometric analysis, and their tissue localization was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. A second group of patients with AAP and indication of endodontic treatment was recruited. Gingival crevicular fluid was extracted from AAP-affected teeth at baseline, after endodontic treatment and healthy contralateral teeth. Total oxidant and antioxidant status were determined in homogenized tissue and GCF samples. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA v10 software with unpaired t test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 along with oxidant status were higher in apical lesions (p < 0.05). Total oxidant status correlated positively with matrix metalloproteinase-2 and lesion size (p < 0.05). Gingival crevicular fluid showed significantly lower levels of total antioxidant status in diseased teeth at baseline compared to controls and endodontically-treated groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Apical lesions display an oxidant imbalance along with increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and might contribute to AAP progression. Oxidant imbalance can also be reflected in GCF from AAP-affected teeth and was restored to normal levels after conservative endodontic treatment. These mediators might be useful as potential biomarkers for chair-side complementary diagnostic of apical status in GCF.</p

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Cord Blood from Growth Restricted Fetuses with Doppler Alteration Compared to Adequate for Gestational Age Fetuses

Background and Objectives: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a severe obstetric disease characterized by a low fetal size entailing a set of undesired consequences. For instance, previous studies have noticed a worrisome association between FGR with an abnormal neurodevelopment. However, the precise link between FGR and neurodevelopmental alterations are not yet fully understood yet. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a critical neurotrophin strongly implicated in neurodevelopmental and other neurological processes. In addition, serum levels of BDNF appears to be an interesting indicator of pathological pregnancies, being correlated with the neonatal brain levels. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the blood levels of BDNF in the cord blood from fetuses with FGR in comparison to those with weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Materials and Methods: In this study, 130 subjects were recruited: 91 in group A (AGA fetuses); 39 in group B (16 FGR fetuses with exclusively middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) 95th percentile). Serum levels of BDNF were determined through ELISA reactions in these groups. Results: Our results show a significant decrease in cord blood levels of BDNF in FGR and more prominently in those with UA PI >95th percentile in comparison to AGA. FGR fetuses with exclusively decreased MCA PI below the 5th percentile also show reduced levels of BDNF than AGA, although this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Overall, our study reports a potential pathophysiological link between reduced levels of BDNF and neurodevelopmental alterations in fetuses with FGR. However, further studies should be conducted in those FGR subjects with MCA PI < 5th percentile in order to understand the possible implications of BDNF in this group.Depto. de Salud Pública y Materno - InfantilFac. de MedicinaTRUEUnión EuropeaComunidad de MadridInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIHalekulani S.LFundación Santiago Dexeus Fontpu

Liquid methanol Monte Carlo simulations with a refined potential which includes polarizability, nonadditivity, and intramolecular relaxation

Monte Carlo simulations of liquid methanol were performed using a refined ab initio derived potential which includes polarizability, nonadditivity, and intramolecular relaxation. The results present good agreement between the energetic and structural properties predicted by the model and those predicted by ab initio calculations of methanol clusters and experimental values of gas and condensed phases. The molecular level picture of methanol shows the existence of both rings and linear polymers in the methanol liquid phase

Influence of Cerebral Vasodilation on Blood Reelin Levels in Growth Restricted Fetuses

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is one of the most important obstetric pathologies. It is frequently caused by placental insufficiency. Previous studies have shown a relationship between FGR and impaired new-born neurodevelopment, although the molecular mechanisms involved in this association have not yet been completely clarified. Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in development of neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Reelin has been demonstrated to play a key role in regulating perinatal neurodevelopment and to contribute to the emergence and development of various psychiatric pathologies, and its levels are highly influenced by pathological conditions of hypoxia. The purpose of this article is to study whether reelin levels in new-borns vary as a function of severity of fetal growth restriction by gestational age and sex. We sub-grouped fetuses in: normal weight group (Group 1, n = 17), FGR group with normal umbilical artery Doppler and cerebral redistribution at middle cerebral artery Doppler (Group 2, n = 9), and FGR with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (Group 3, n = 8). Our results show a significant association of elevated Reelin levels in FGR fetuses with cerebral blood redistribution compared to the normal weight group and the FGR with abnormal umbilical artery group. Future research should focus on further expanding the knowledge of the relationship of reelin and its regulated products with neurodevelopment impairment in new-borns with FGR and should include larger and more homogeneous samples and the combined use of different in vivo techniques in neonates with impaired growth during their different adaptive phases

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in grazing lands of the Neotropics: A review of patterns and research trends of taxonomic and functional diversity, and functions

Dung beetles are one of the most representative groups of insects associated with livestock, as they take advantage of the manure of livestock for food and reproduction. They have been widely used as a bio-indicator group to evaluate their responses to land-use change and other environmental disturbances by analyzing species diversity at different spatial and temporal scales. However, the impacts of livestock management practices, forms, and history on dung beetle diversity are still poorly understood. This paper is an exhaustive and systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed and indexed literature on the taxonomic diversity (species richness and composition), functional diversity, and ecological functions of dung beetles from different provinces and biogeographic domains in tropical grazing lands of the Neotropics. We analyzed the timeline of the studies conducted so far, and we detected increasing literature produced mainly in South America. We included the most frequent objectives, tendencies, software, and statistical analyses. Given the significant heterogeneity of livestock landscapes in the Neotropics, the reviewed studies have conceptualized broadly what a pasture is, and the authors have used different descriptions of other grazing lands. Additionally, management data and livestock practices vary widely among studies, and management history is poorly described. In future research, it is relevant to include as much information as possible and the consequences of different livestock management practices on additional ecological attributes of dung beetle assemblages at different landscape scales (spatial and temporal) to predict how ecological processes change in Neotropical landscapes. Considering the importance of the data to be included in future work, we propose a collection format to unify the information collected in the field when conducting ecological studies in grazing lands. Moreover, we define a classification system to homogenize the features that distinguish the multiple tropical grazing lands reported in the literature. Preserving dung beetle diversity and associated ecological functions is urgent for maintaining ecosystem services in grazing lands. The challenge for research institutions is to continue filling gaps in knowledge to help those who work in transferring knowledge, to help ranchers exercise better options for more sustainable livestock farming, and to publish results for conservation decision-making

Electrocardiographic approach strategies in patients with Parkinson disease treated with deep brain stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an interdisciplinary and reversible therapy that uses high-frequency electrical stimulation to correct aberrant neural pathways in motor and cognitive neurological disorders. However, the high frequency of the waves used in DBS can interfere with electrical recording devices (e.g., electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, cardiac monitor), creating artifacts that hinder their interpretation. The compatibility of DBS with these devices varies and depends on factors such as the underlying disease and the configuration of the neurostimulator. In emergencies where obtaining an electrocardiogram is crucial, the need for more consensus on reducing electrical artifacts in patients with DBS becomes a significant challenge. Various strategies have been proposed to attenuate the artifact generated by DBS, such as changing the DBS configuration from monopolar to bipolar, temporarily deactivating DBS during electrocardiographic recording, applying frequency filters both lower and higher than those used by DBS, and using non-standard leads. However, the inexperience of medical personnel, variability in DBS models, or the lack of a controller at the time of approach limit the application of these strategies. Current evidence on their reproducibility and efficacy is limited. Due to the growing elderly population and the rising utilization of DBS, it is imperative to create electrocardiographic methods that are easily accessible and reproducible for general physicians and emergency services

Systems biology approaches to understand gene specification networks in the zebrafish retina

Trabajo presentado en 27th European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER) Congress, celebrado en Valencia (España) del 03 al 05 de noviembre de 2023.The ontogeny of the vertebrate retina has been a topic of interest to developmental biologists and human geneticists for many decades. Understanding the unfolding of the genetic program that transforms a field of progenitors' cells into a functionally complex and multi-layered sensory organ is a formidable challenge. Although classical genetic studies succeeded in identifying the key regulators of retina specification, we are far from understanding the architecture of their gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and thus from predicting their behaviour. A goal in our group during the last years has been to analyse the bifurcation of the GRNs specifying the neural retina and RPE domains, as cells in these two compartments acquire their distinct shape; within a few hours window in zebrafish. We have characterized transcriptome dynamics and chromatin accessibility in segregating NR/RPE populations in zebrafish to identify active cis-regulatory modules and enriched TF motives within them (Buono et al Nat com 2021). We have shown extensive network redundancy and context-dependent activity for the core TFs within each domain. In line with this finding, we have shown that the simultaneous mutation of the key specifiers vsx1 and vsx2 by CRISPR/Cas9, which results in severe visual impairment and bipolar cells depletion, does not interfere with neural retina specification. We concluded that although important cis-regulatory remodelling (ATAC-seq) occurs in vsxKO retinas during early specification, this has little impact at a transcriptomic level (RNA-seq). Our observations point to genetic redundancy as an important mechanism sustaining the integrity of the retinal specification network (Letelier & Buono et al Biorxiv 2022). We are currently complementing previous efforts by applying single-cell methods to the analysis of neural retina and RPE networks. We have generated transcriptome and epigenome (chromium 10x multiome scRNAseq¿+¿scATACseq) datasets in zebrafish to obtain predictive information for the identification of novel genes and cis-regulatory elements involved in the specification of retinal domains. These datasets are a valuable resource to reconstruct the final architecture of the retinal GRNs.Peer reviewe