Angiotensin type-1-receptor antagonists reduce 6-hydroxydopamine toxicity for dopaminergic neurons

Angiotensin II activates (via type 1 receptors) NAD(P)H-dependent oxidases, which are a major source of superoxide, and is relevant in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases and certain degenerative changes associated with ageing. Given that there is a brain renin–angiotensin system and that oxidative stress is a key contributor to Parkinson's disease, we investigated the effects of angiotensin II and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease. Rats subjected to intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine showed bilateral reduction in the number of dopaminergic neurons and terminals. Injection of angiotensin alone did not induce any significant effect. However, angiotensin increased the toxic effect of 6-hydroxydopamine. Rats treated with the AT1 receptor antagonist ZD 7155 and then 6-hydroxydopamine (with or without exogenous administration of angiotensin) showed a significant reduction in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation) and dopaminergic degeneration. Dopaminergic degeneration was also reduced by the NAD(P)H inhibitor apocynin. Angiotensin may play a pivotal role, via AT1 receptors, in increasing the oxidative damage of dopaminergic cells, and treatment with AT1 antagonists may reduce the progression of Parkinson's disease.S

Messaging performance of FIPA interaction protocols in networked embedded controllers

Agent-based technologies in production control systems could facilitate seamless reconfiguration and integration of mechatronic devices/modules into systems. Advances in embedded controllers which are continuously improving computational capabilities allow for software modularization and distribution of decisions. Agent platforms running on embedded controllers could hide the complexity of bootstrap and communication. Therefore, it is important to investigate the messaging performance of the agents whosemainmotivation is the resource allocation in manufacturing systems (i.e., conveyor system). The tests were implemented using the FIPA-compliant JADE-LEAP agent platform. Agent containers were distributed through networked embedded controllers, and agents were communicating using request and contract-net FIPA interaction protocols. The test scenarios are organized in intercontainer and intracontainer communications. The work shows the messaging performance for the different test scenarios using both interaction protocols

Development of new remediation technologies for contaminated soils based on the application of zero-valent iron nanoparticles and bioremediation with compost

This study aimed to develop new techniques for the remediation of contaminated soils based on the application of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) and bioremediation with compost from organic wastes and a mixed technique of both. An assessment of the effectiveness of remediation in two soils contaminated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals was carried out, with the aim of looking for positive synergies by combining the two techniques, and demonstrating their viability on an industrial scale. The application of nZVI for in situ immobilization of As and Cr in two different soils (Soil I from a contaminated industrial site and Soil II, contaminated artificially) showed a decrease in the concentration of As in Soil I and Soil II, as well as a decrease in Cr concentration for Soil I and Soil II in the leachate of both soils. The addition of compost and nanoparticles under uncontrolled environmental conditions in biopiles was able to produce a decrease in the concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons of up to 60% in the two soils. Especially, degradation and transformation of longer chains occurred. A significant reduction of ecotoxicity was observed throughout the process in the biopile of soil II, not reaching the LC50 even with 100% of the sample after the treatment, in both earthworm and seeds growth tests. [All rights reserved Elsevier]

Embedded XML DOM parser: an approach for XML data processing on networked embedded systems with real-time requirements

Trends in control and automation show an increase in data processing and communication in embedded automation controllers. The eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is emerging as a dominant data syntax, fostering interoperability, yet little is still known about how to provide predictable real-time performance in XML processing, as required in the domain of industrial automation. This paper presents an XML processor that is designed with such real-time performance in mind. The publication attempts to disclose insight gained in applying techniques such as object pooling and reuse, and other methods targeted at avoiding dynamic memory allocation and its consequent memory fragmentation. Benchmarking tests are reported in order to illustrate the benefits of the approach

Variaciones de la adaquia y fuerza labial superior en niños, tratados con mioterapia. Policlínico Tomás Romay. Habana Vieja.

Se ha añadido a las etiologías existentes de la adaquia, o mordida abierta anterior, la incompetencia de los músculos labiales y se ha demostrado que pueden obtenerse resultados más estables y perfectos en su corrección sin necesidad de rejas inhibidoras de acción lingual, empleando tratamientos basados en la mioterapia. Con el propósito de determinar las variaciones que se producen en los valores de la fuerza labial y la adaquia después de mioterapia, se realizó un estudio experimental y longitudinal en 52 niños de 9-12 años, quienes asistieron a las escuelas del área de salud del Policlínico Tomás Romay en los años 2006-2007, para lo cual se realizaron mediciones con un dinamómetro modificado para medir la fuerza labial en gramos y con una regla milimetrada para medir la adaquia en mm. Nos apoyamos en la prueba de comparación de medias para muestras no independientes y pareadas para decidir si la intervención significaba las variaciones. Después del tratamiento, el promedio de la fuerza labial aumentó en todos los niños y la adaquia se redujo significativamente en igual período de tiempo. No hubo diferencias significativas en las respuestas al tratamiento entre hembras y varones. Se concluye que la mioterapia labial y lingual fue efectiva para aumentar la fuerza labial superior, reducir la mordida abierta anterior y lograr competencia labial en los niños del estudio después de 8 meses y al año de tratamiento, sin necesidad de una aparatología ortodóncica.  Palabras clave: Fuerza labial; mioterapia; adaquia

HGUE-C-1 is an atypical and novel colon carcinoma cell line

Background: Colorectal carcinoma is a common cause of cancer. Adjuvant treatments include: 5-fluorouracil administered together with folinic acid, or more recently, oral fluoropyrimidines such as capecitabine, in combination with oxaliplatin or irinotecan. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients can benefit from other additional treatments such as cetuximab or bevacizumab. Methods: Using cell culture techniques, we isolated clonal populations from primary cultures of ascitic effusion derived from a colon cancer patient and after several passages an established cell line, HGUE-C-1, was obtained. Genetic analysis of HGUE-C-1 cells was performed by PCR of selected exons and sequencing. Cell proliferation studies were performed by MTT assays and cell cycle analyses were performed by flow cytometry. Retinoblastoma activity was measured by luciferase assays and proteins levels and activity were analysed by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. Results: We have established a new cell line from ascitic efussion of a colon cancer patient who did not respond to 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan. HGUE-C-1 cells did not show microsatellite instability and did not harbour mutations in KRAS, BRAF, PI3KCA or TP53. However, these cells showed loss of heterozygosity affecting Adenomatous Polyposis Coli and nuclear staining of β-catenin protein. The HGUE-C-1 cell line was sensitive to erlotinib, gefitinib, NVP-BEZ235, rapamycin and trichostatin, among other drugs, but partially resistant to heat shock protein inhibitors and highly resistant to AZD-6244 and oxaliplatin, even though the patient from which this cell line was derived had not been exposed to these drugs. Molecular characterization of this cell line revealed low expression levels and activity of Retinoblastoma protein and elevated basal levels of Erk1/2 activity and p70S6K expression and activity, which may be related to chemoresistance mechanisms. Conclusions: HGUE-C-1 represents a novel and peculiar colon carcinoma model to study chemoresistance to chemotherapeutic agents and to novel anti-neoplasic drugs that interrupt signalling pathways such as the APC/βcatenin, Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk, PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K pathways as well as histone regulation mechanisms.This article has been funded by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS PI080901and FIS PI01202025 to Miguel Saceda

Application of Concept Maps in computer engineering to assess meaningful learning

[ES] Actualmente existen una cantidad muy vasta de trabajos relacionados con nuevos modelos y estilos de aprendizaje e instrucción matemática. En el caso del área que abarca la instrucción matemática – aplicada, existe menos información de éxito y trabajo al respecto. Esto ocurre en la carrera de Ingeniería en Computación, que se imparte en el Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), México. Debido a su naturaleza la Teoría de Autómatas (TA) y los Compiladores (Cs), presentan dificultades en la comprensión de los conceptos y aplicaciones por parte del alumno, por lo que, consideramos que mediante la estrategia de enseñanza utilizando mapas conceptuales desarrollados por J. Novak habrá un resultado favorable en dinamismo, comprensión y un aprendizaje significativo a largo plazo que le proporcione elementos sólidos para asignaturas consecuentes, los cuales, son necesarios e indispensables. Se presenta la propuesta elaborada por la Academia de profesores, que imparten la asignatura, la metodología de implementación, así como, ejercicios desarrollados por alumnos durante su evolución, ésta, al llevarse a cabo producto de una invitación al éxito, deriva en una mejora para comprender las dos materias, gracias a los resultados aprobatorios y las calificaciones mayores resultantes.[EN] There are currently a very vast amount of work related to new models and styles of learning and mathematical instruction. In the case of the area covering the mathematical instruction ‐ applied, there is less information success and work thereon. This occurs in the engineering degree in computer science is taught at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), Mexico. Due to its nature the theory of automata (TA) and compilers (Cs), present difficulties in understanding the concepts and applications by the student, so, we believe that there will be a propicius result in dynamism, understanding and meaningful learning in the long term that will provide solid elements for consequential subjects through the teaching strategy using mind maps developed by j. Novak, which are necessary and indispensable. The elaborate proposal is presented by Academy of professors, who taught the subject, implementation methodology, as well as exercises developed by students during their evolution, this to be carried out product of an invitation to success leads to an improvement to understand the two subjects, with passing results and resulting higher scores.González García, F.; Veloz Ortiz, JF.; Rodríguez Moreno, IA.; Veloz Ortiz, LE.; Guardían Soto, B.; Ballester Valorí, A. (2012). Aplicación de mapas conceptuales en ingeniería en computación para evaluar aprendizaje significativo. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 10(3):459-475. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2012.6032OJS459475103Alfonseca, E. (2007). Autómatas y Lenguajes Formales. McGraw-Hill Interamericana. España.Aho, Ullman. (2000). Compiladores. Addison Wesley Pearson. México.Ausubel, D. Novak, J. y Hasian, H. (1978). Educational Psychology: a cognitive view. Rinehart Winston, New York.Ballester, A. (2002). El aprendizaje significativo en la práctica. España.González, F. (2008). El Mapa conceptual y el diagrama V: Recursos para la enseñanza superior en el siglo XXI. Narcea Ed. Madrid.González, F. y Novak, J. (1996). 2ª Edición. Aprendizaje significativo: Técnicas y aplicaciones Ediciones pedagógicas. Madrid.Iraizoz, N. y González, F. (2003). El mapa conceptual: un instrumento apropiado para comprender textos expositivos. Blitz. España.Moreira, M. (1997). Aprendizaje Significativo: teoría y Práctica. Visor Dis, Madrid.Novak, J. (2010, 2nd ed.): Learning, creating and using knowledge: Concept maps as facilitative tools in schools and corporations. Routledge. New York.Novak, J. Gowin, B. (1988). Aprendiendo a aprender. Martínez Roca. Barcelona.Ullman, H. (2000). Automata Theory and Formal Languages Introduction. Addison Wesley. NY

IAA : Información y actualidad astronómica (33)

Sumario : Las estrellas jóvenes “imitan” a los agujeros negros.-- La Nebulosa de la Pipa.-- Galaxias “guisante verde”.-- HISTORIAS DE ASTRONOMÍA. Palomas y elefantes.-- DECONSTRUCCIÓN Y otros ENSAYOS. Misión Sunrise.-- EL “MOBY DICK” DE... Martín Guerrero Roncel (IAA-CSIC).-- ACTUALIDAD.-- ENTRE BASTIDORES.-- CIENCIA: PILARES E INCERTIDUMBRES : Agujeros negros.-- ACTIVIDADES IAA, AGENDA Y RECOMENDADOS.N

The Châtelperronian Neanderthals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposes

Evidence for the symbolic behavior of Neanderthals in the use of personal ornaments is relatively scarce. Among the few ornaments documented, eagle talons, which were presumably used as pendants, are the most frequently recorded. This phenomenon appears concentrated in a specific area of southern Europe during a span of 80 thousand years. Here, we present the analysis of one eagle pedal phalange recovered from the Châtelperronian layer of Foradada Cave (Spain). Our research broadens the known geographical and temporal range of this symbolic behavior, providing the first documentation of its use among the Iberian populations, as well as of its oldest use in the peninsula. The recurrent appearance of large raptor talons throughout the Middle Paleolithic time frame, including their presence among the last Neanderthal populations, raises the question of the survival of some cultural elements of the Middle Paleolithic into the transitional Middle to Upper Paleolithic assemblages and beyond