Angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin-(1-9): function in cardiac and vascular remodeling

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is integral to cardiovascular physiology, however, dysregulation of this system largely contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is well established that angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effector of the RAS, engages the angiotensin type 1 receptor and promotes cell growth, proliferation, migration and oxidative stress, all processes which contribute to remodeling of the heart and vasculature, ultimately leading to the development and progression of various CVDs including heart failure and atherosclerosis. The counter-regulatory axis of the RAS, which is centered on the actions of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the resultant production of angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7) from Ang II, antagonizes the actions of Ang II via the receptor Mas, thereby providing a protective role in CVD. More recently, another ACE2 metabolite, Ang-(1-9), has been reported to be a biologically active peptide within the counter-regulatory axis of the RAS. This review will discuss the role of the counter-regulatory RAS peptides, Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1-9) in the cardiovascular system, with a focus on their effects in remodeling of the heart and vasculature

University teaching staff and sustainable development: an assessment of competences

Teaching about matters related to sustainable development requires not only a personal motivation from educators, but also a variety of competences. This paper reports on a multi-country study, which aimed at identifying the level of importance given to desired competences on sustainable development by teaching staff at a number of higher education institutions. On the basis of the findings, the paper identifies the gaps and outlines some of the needs which should be addressed, via which competence building may help to foster the educational and societal transformation towards sustainability. The implications of this paper are twofold. First, it emphasises the value of and the need for competences on sustainable development. Second, it illustrates some of the needs which should be met to provide a framework among which competences on sustainable development may be further developed

Towards a common future: revising the evolution of university-based sustainability research literature

The field of sustainability has evolved considerably since the report “Our Common Future” was published in 1987. Whereas matters related to sustainable development used to be of marginal interest in the 1980s, it has substantially evolved since, and have become mainstream. As a result, there is a plethora of research on different aspects, whose focus has also been influenced by societal developments. This line of thinking also applies to sustainability research in higher education, a special and central field. Unfortunately, the variety of research on matters of sustainable development in universities makes it difficult to obtain an insight into its current status, and to ascertain how it has evolved since 1987. Based on the perceived need to fill this gap, a study focusing on the evolution of university-based sustainability research literature has been undertaken. The study entailed approximately 1700 papers published between 1987 and 2019,  being one of the most comprehensive studies on this field ever undertaken. Apart from performing a bibliometric analysis using science mapping software tools, the research clustered the research into some key areas. The results suggest that, whereas impressive, the evolution of university-based sustainability research has been uneven, and calls for a more balanced emphasis to as to cover some research areas which have so far been neglected. The implications of this work are twofold: it will support the further development of the university-based sustainability research literature, and will help to address some thematic gaps, which are seen today, and to which greater attention is needed

The impacts of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the work of academic staff at higher education institutions: an international assessment

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the life of millions of people around the world and brought changes in many contexts. In higher education institutions, teaching staff had to quickly adapt their teaching and research practices and revisit learning and student engagement strategies. In this context, this paper aimed to report on how the lockdowns influenced the work and lives of academic staff at universities. The methodology consisted of an online survey that collected 201 responses across 39 countries worldwide, and the results were explored using descriptive and exploratory modelling analyses. The findings reveal that the main positive aspect of the work-from-home experience during the lockdowns was the reduction of time spent on commuting, while the inability to disconnect and difficulties in work–life balance were the most commonly indicated negative aspects. The principal component analysis indicated that the pandemic had a moderate power in boosting academic staff towards sustainability, and an important potential of revising academic curricula and teaching–learning relationships. Based on the evidence gathered, recommendations to allow academic staff to better cope with the influence of future pandemics include the increased use of digital resources and new teaching styles, curricula revision for encouraging educators to include more issues related to sustainable development in their teaching and greater institutional support to reduce stressful conditions and improve productivity

Transforming Growth Factor β Receptor Type 1 Is Essential for Female Reproductive Tract Integrity and Function

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily proteins are principle regulators of numerous biological functions. Although recent studies have gained tremendous insights into this growth factor family in female reproduction, the functions of the receptors in vivo remain poorly defined. TGFβ type 1 receptor (TGFBR1), also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5, is the major type 1 receptor for TGFβ ligands. Tgfbr1 null mice die embryonically, precluding functional characterization of TGFBR1 postnatally. To study TGFBR1–mediated signaling in female reproduction, we generated a mouse model with conditional knockout (cKO) of Tgfbr1 in the female reproductive tract using anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase. We found that Tgfbr1 cKO females are sterile. However, unlike its role in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) signaling in vitro, TGFBR1 seems to be dispensable for GDF9 signaling in vivo. Strikingly, we discovered that the Tgfbr1 cKO females develop oviductal diverticula, which impair embryo development and transit of embryos to the uterus. Molecular analysis further demonstrated the dysregulation of several cell differentiation and migration genes (e.g., Krt12, Ace2, and MyoR) that are potentially associated with female reproductive tract development. Moreover, defective smooth muscle development was also revealed in the uteri of the Tgfbr1 cKO mice. Thus, TGFBR1 is required for female reproductive tract integrity and function, and disruption of TGFBR1–mediated signaling leads to catastrophic structural and functional consequences in the oviduct and uterus

Adiponectin inhibits neutrophil phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by inhibition of PKB and ERK 1/2 MAPK signalling and Mac-1 activation

Full length adiponectin is a potent immune modulatory adipokine, impacting upon the actions of several immune cells. Neutrophil oxidative burst has been shown to decrease in response to adiponectin, and we speculated that it could have other effects on neutrophil function. Here we report that adiponectin reduces the phagocytic ability of human neutrophils, decreasing significantly the ingestion of opsonised E. coli by these cells in whole blood (p<0.05) and as isolated neutrophils (p<0.05). We then determined the mechanisms involved. We observed that the activation of Mac-1, the receptor engaged in complement-mediated phagocytosis, was decreased by adiponectin in response to E. coli stimulation. Moreover, treatment of neutrophils with adiponectin prior to incubation with E. coli significantly inhibited signalling through the PI3K/PKB and ERK 1/2 pathways, with a parallel reduction of F-actin content. Studies with pharmacological inhibitors showed that inhibition of PI3K/PKB, but not ERK 1/2 signalling was able to prevent the activation of Mac-1. In conclusion, we propose that adiponectin negatively affects neutrophil phagocytosis, reducing the uptake of E. coli and inhibiting Mac-1 activation, the latter by blockade of the PI3K/PKB signal pathway

Alterations of pituitary immunocytochemical and morphometric parameters in juvenile female rats following estradiol and hCG treatment

Immunocytochemical and morphometric changes of pituitary FSH and LH cells in juvenile (17th day of life) female rats neonatally (4th day of life) treated with five 0.25 mg doses of estradiol dipropionate (EDP) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (14th and 16th day of life) and with the combination of both were studied using rabbit antirat beta-follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and beta-luteinising hormone (LH) sera and a peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical procedure. Morphometry and stereology were applied to evaluate the changes in FSH- and LH-producing cells, number and volume densities of the cells and the nuclei. In EDP-treated females significantly increased pituitary mass and the number of chromophobes and PRL cells were observed while all morphometric parameters of FSH/LH cells were decreased in comparison with the corresponding controls. This difference was much more prominent in FSH-beta- than in LH-beta cells. Treatment with hCG led to an increase in the number of FSH and LH cells, but it was much more pronounced in the latter cells. In the group receiving EDP and hCG in combination, the effect of EDP was predominant in FSH cells and that of hCG in LH cells

Thyroid C cells of middle-aged rats treated with estradiol or calcium

The structure and function of C cells of middle-aged female rats (14-months old) treated with estradiol dipropionate (EDP), calcium (Ca) or a combination of EDP+Ca were studied. A stereological method was used to determine the volume of calcitonin (CT)-immunoreactive C cells and their nuclei, and the relative volume density and mean number of the C cells per section were calculated. Serum levels of CT, osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and beta-estradiol were also measured. A significant decrease in body weight of the rats treated with EDP or EDP+Ca was observed. These treatments led to a significant decrease in cellular and nuclear volumes, relative volume density, and mean number of C cells per section, in comparison with the corresponding controls. A reduction of the serum level of CT, PTH, and osteocalcin was also recorded in EDP-and EDP+Ca-treated animals. No statistically significant differences between Ca- and vehicle-injected rats, with regard to all morphometric C cell parameters and biochemical values determined, were seen. However, a conspicuous degranulation of the C cells and decreased immunoreactivity for CT in the Ca-receiving group, which could be interpreted as the signs of increased activity of these cells, were noticed. This effect of Ca was also observed in rats injected with EDP and Ca in combination, when the inhibitory effect of EDP on C cell function was less noticeable than in the group treated with EDP alone

Poverty: A central barrier to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Poverty is one of the central elements in the transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda: leave no one behind. Ending poverty in all forms and everywhere is the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and much can be discussed about its impact on several other sustainability elements. In this context, this paper explores the role of poverty and why it poses a central barrier in the implementation of the SDGs in developing countries. The research questions intended to assess: i) to which extent poverty is seen as a sustainability challenge and properly included in governance actions, ii) which are the SDGs most negatively affected by poverty, and iii) which are the main challenges for the implementation of SDG 1. An international survey was performed with researchers, professors, and representatives of administrative sectors in universities from 34 countries round the world. The vast majority of those taking part in the study consider poverty to be a threat to the implementation of the SDGs in their countries. Practically all goals are seen to be hampered, especially SDG 2 ‘Zero Hunger’, SDG 3 ‘Good Health and Well-being’, SDG 4 ‘Quality Education’ and SDG 6 ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’. The implications of this paper are twofold: it illustrates the need to pay a special attention to poverty reduction which may pose a central barrier to the implementation of the SDGs and describes a set of items needed, in order to foster the implementation of one of the key goals

Effects of estradiol and calcium on gonadotrophic cells in middle-aged female rats

The effects of multiple treatment with estradiol dipropionate (EDP) or calcium glucoheptonate (Ca) or a combination of the two on gonadotrophic cells in the pituitary pars distalis of middle-aged female rats were examined. The animals were treated daily for two weeks with EDP (0.625 mg i.p./kg body weight) or Ca (11.4 mg/kg body weight) or EDP+Ca. Luteinising (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-producing cells were examined by immunohistochemistry using antisera to the specific (beta) beta-subunits of LH and FSH and a peroxidase-anti-peroxidase immunohistochemical procedure. Plasma levels of FSH and LH were measured by radio-immune assay. A stereological method for determining morphometric parameters in immunopositive FSH and LH cells was used. The number of gonadotrophs per unit area (mm(2)), their cellular volume and relative volume densities, as well as plasma levels of FSH and LH, were decreased in all treated females in comparison with the controls. The most significant decrease of these parameters was observed in EDP-treated animals. Such changes were also expressed in Ca-treated animals, but the alterations were less distinct. These results demonstrate that multiple EDP or Ca application to middle-aged female rats is able to inhibit, directly or indirectly, the morphofunctional state of gonadotrophic cells in the pituitary pars distalis.nul