Differentiation of lactotrope precursor GHFT cells in response to Fibroblast Growth Factor-2

The mechanisms that control the emergence of different anterior pituitary cells from a common stem cell population are largely unknown. The immortalized GHFT cells derived from targeted expression of SV40 T antigen to mouse pituitary display characteristics of somatolactotropic progenitors in that they express the transcription factor GHF-1 (Pit-1) but not growth hormone (GH) or prolactin (PRL). We searched for factors capable of inducing lactotropic differentiation of GHFT cells. PRL gene expression was not observed in cells subjected to a variety of stimuli, which induce PRL gene expression in mature lactotropes. Only fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) was able to initiate the transcription, synthesis, and release of PRL in GHFT cells. However, induction of PRL expression was incomplete in FGF-2-treated cells, suggesting that additional factors are necessary to attain high levels of PRL transcription in fully differentiated lactotropes. We also show that the FGF-2 response element is located in the proximal PRL promoter. Stimulation of PRL expression by FGF-2 requires endogenous Ets factors and these factors as well as GHF-1 are expressed at low levels in the committed precursor, suggesting that these low levels are limiting for full PRL expression. Moreover, FGF-2 effect on lactotrope differentiation is mediated, at least partially, by stimulation of the Ras-signaling pathway. Our results suggest that, indeed, GHFT cells represent a valid model for studying lactotropic differentiation and that FGF-2 could play a key role both in initiating lactotrope differentiation and maintaining PRL expression

Efectos del tráfico del tractor sobre la distribución de la compactación del suelo y los rendimientos de trigo en España

395-403The general objective of this paper was to quantify the changes in the physical properties of an Aridisol soil and the effect on wheat yield due to agricultural tractors traffic in the Vélez Blanco District, Almería Spain. Parameters measured were cone index (CI) in the 0-600 mm depth profile, bulk density (BD) and rut depth; the variable wheat yields (WY) was measured too. The traffic treatments applied were: 0 (control plot), 1, 3, 5, and 7 tractor passes in the same tracks. Each experimental plot was trafficked with two tractors, one light (60 kN) and one heavy (80 kN). In topsoil (0-200 mm), up to five passes of the heavy (HT) and light tractors (LT), as in one and three passes, the BD and CI values responded to the ground pressure being higher in absolute value for LT. For the 200 to 400 mm depth range HT caused higher CI (1,570 to 2,200 kPa) and BD (1.38 to 1.68 Mg m-3) values than LT. Eight months later, WY was evaluated in tractor's track areas and decreases in the range of 18-38 percent, were measured. For seven passes the applications of total loads of 80 and 60 kN increased BD up to 1.5 Mg m-3 at depths of 200-600 mm. Although soil had high bulk density prior to traffic treatments, a significant increment of subsoil compaction still occurred due to the high traffic intensities applied

Efectos del tráfico del tractor sobre la distribución de la compactación del suelo y los rendimientos de trigo en España

The general objective of this paper was to quantify the changes in the physical properties of an Aridisol soil and the effect on wheat yield due to agricultural tractors traffic in the Vélez Blanco District, Almería Spain. Parameters measured were cone index (CI) in the 0-600 mm depth profile, bulk density (BD) and rut depth; the variable wheat yields (WY) was measured too. The traffic treatments applied were: 0 (control plot), 1, 3, 5, and 7 tractor passes in the same tracks. Each experimental plot was trafficked with two tractors, one light (60 kN) and one heavy (80 kN). In topsoil (0-200 mm), up to five passes of the heavy (HT) and light tractors (LT), as in one and three passes, the BD and CI values responded to the ground pressure being higher in absolute value for LT. For the 200 to 400 mm depth range HT caused higher CI (1,570 to 2,200 kPa) and BD (1.38 to 1.68 Mg m-3) values than LT. Eight months later, WY was evaluated in tractor's track areas and decreases in the range of 18-38%, were measured. For seven passes the applications of total loads of 80 and 60 kN increased BD up to 1.5 Mg m-3 at depths of 200-600 mm. Although soil had high bulk density prior to traffic treatments, a significant increment of subsoil compaction still occurred due to the high traffic intensities applied.El objetivo general del estudio fue cuantificar los cambios producidos en las propiedades físicas de un suelo Aridisol y los efectos sobre el rendimiento del trigo debido al tráfico de tractores agrícolas en Vélez Blanco, Almería, España. Los parámetros analizados fueron índice de cono (IC) a una profundidad de 0-600 mm, densidad aparente (DA) y profundidad de huella; también se analizó la variable rendimiento del trigo (RT). Los tratamientos de tráfico aplicados fueron: cero (parcela testigo), y uno, tres, cinco, y siete pasadas de tractor sobre la misma huella. En cada parcela experimental se utilizaron dos tractores, uno ligero (60 kN) y uno pesado (80 kN). En el horizonte superficial (0-200 mm), hasta las cinco pasadas de los tractores pesados (TP) y ligeros (TL), los valores de DA y de IC respondieron a la presión en el área de contacto, siendo más alto en valor absoluto para TL cuando pasó una y tres veces. Para el rango de profundidad 200-400 mm, TP causó valores más altos de IC (1.570 a 2.200 kPa) y DA (1,38 a 1,68 Mg m-3) que TL. RT se evaluó ocho meses después sobre el área pisada, observándose una disminución en un rango de 18-38%. Las cargas totales aplicadas de 80 y 60 kN, con siete pasadas, aumentaron DA hasta 1,5 Mg m-3 en el rango 200-600 mm. A pesar de que el suelo presentó una alta DA antes de aplicar los tratamientos, se observó un incremento significativo de la compactación del subsuelo por las altas intensidades de tráfico aplicadas.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Efectos del tráfico del tractor sobre la distribución de la compactación del suelo y los rendimientos de trigo en España

The general objective of this paper was to quantify the changes in the physical properties of an Aridisol soil and the effect on wheat yield due to agricultural tractors traffic in the Vélez Blanco District, Almería Spain. Parameters measured were cone index (CI) in the 0-600 mm depth profile, bulk density (BD) and rut depth; the variable wheat yields (WY) was measured too. The traffic treatments applied were: 0 (control plot), 1, 3, 5, and 7 tractor passes in the same tracks. Each experimental plot was trafficked with two tractors, one light (60 kN) and one heavy (80 kN). In topsoil (0-200 mm), up to five passes of the heavy (HT) and light tractors (LT), as in one and three passes, the BD and CI values responded to the ground pressure being higher in absolute value for LT. For the 200 to 400 mm depth range HT caused higher CI (1,570 to 2,200 kPa) and BD (1.38 to 1.68 Mg m-3) values than LT. Eight months later, WY was evaluated in tractor's track areas and decreases in the range of 18-38%, were measured. For seven passes the applications of total loads of 80 and 60 kN increased BD up to 1.5 Mg m-3 at depths of 200-600 mm. Although soil had high bulk density prior to traffic treatments, a significant increment of subsoil compaction still occurred due to the high traffic intensities applied.El objetivo general del estudio fue cuantificar los cambios producidos en las propiedades físicas de un suelo Aridisol y los efectos sobre el rendimiento del trigo debido al tráfico de tractores agrícolas en Vélez Blanco, Almería, España. Los parámetros analizados fueron índice de cono (IC) a una profundidad de 0-600 mm, densidad aparente (DA) y profundidad de huella; también se analizó la variable rendimiento del trigo (RT). Los tratamientos de tráfico aplicados fueron: cero (parcela testigo), y uno, tres, cinco, y siete pasadas de tractor sobre la misma huella. En cada parcela experimental se utilizaron dos tractores, uno ligero (60 kN) y uno pesado (80 kN). En el horizonte superficial (0-200 mm), hasta las cinco pasadas de los tractores pesados (TP) y ligeros (TL), los valores de DA y de IC respondieron a la presión en el área de contacto, siendo más alto en valor absoluto para TL cuando pasó una y tres veces. Para el rango de profundidad 200-400 mm, TP causó valores más altos de IC (1.570 a 2.200 kPa) y DA (1,38 a 1,68 Mg m-3) que TL. RT se evaluó ocho meses después sobre el área pisada, observándose una disminución en un rango de 18-38%. Las cargas totales aplicadas de 80 y 60 kN, con siete pasadas, aumentaron DA hasta 1,5 Mg m-3 en el rango 200-600 mm. A pesar de que el suelo presentó una alta DA antes de aplicar los tratamientos, se observó un incremento significativo de la compactación del subsuelo por las altas intensidades de tráfico aplicadas.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Cannabinoid pharmacology/therapeutics in chronic degenerative disorders affecting the central nervous system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) exerts a modulatory effect of important functions such as neurotransmission, glial activation, oxidative stress, or protein homeostasis. Dysregulation of these cellular processes is a common neuropathological hallmark in aging and in neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The broad spectrum of actions of cannabinoids allows targeting different aspects of these multifactorial diseases. In this review, we examine the therapeutic potential of the ECS for the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. First, we describe the localization of the molecular components of the ECS and how they are altered under neurodegenerative conditions, either contributing to or protecting cells from degeneration. Second, we address recent advances in the modulation of the ECS using experimental models through different strategies including the direct targeting of cannabinoid receptors with agonists or antagonists, increasing the endocannabinoid tone by the inhibition of endocannabinoid hydrolysis, and activation of cannabinoid receptor-independent effects. Preclinical evidence indicates that cannabinoid pharmacology is complex but supports the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS. Third, we review the clinical evidence and discuss the future perspectives on how to bridge human and animal studies to develop cannabinoid-based therapies for each neurodegenerative disorder. Finally, we summarize the most relevant opportunities of cannabinoid pharmacology related to each disease and the multiple unexplored pathways in cannabinoid pharmacology that could be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Efectos del tráfico del tractor sobre la distribución de la compactación del suelo y los rendimientos de trigo en España

The general objective of this paper was to quantify the changes in the physical properties of an Aridisol soil and the effect on wheat yield due to agricultural tractors traffic in the Vélez Blanco District, Almería Spain. Parameters measured were cone index (CI) in the 0-600 mm depth profile, bulk density (BD) and rut depth; the variable wheat yields (WY) was measured too. The traffic treatments applied were: 0 (control plot), 1, 3, 5, and 7 tractor passes in the same tracks. Each experimental plot was trafficked with two tractors, one light (60 kN) and one heavy (80 kN). In topsoil (0-200 mm), up to five passes of the heavy (HT) and light tractors (LT), as in one and three passes, the BD and CI values responded to the ground pressure being higher in absolute value for LT. For the 200 to 400 mm depth range HT caused higher CI (1,570 to 2,200 kPa) and BD (1.38 to 1.68 Mg m-3) values than LT. Eight months later, WY was evaluated in tractor's track areas and decreases in the range of 18-38%, were measured. For seven passes the applications of total loads of 80 and 60 kN increased BD up to 1.5 Mg m-3 at depths of 200-600 mm. Although soil had high bulk density prior to traffic treatments, a significant increment of subsoil compaction still occurred due to the high traffic intensities applied.El objetivo general del estudio fue cuantificar los cambios producidos en las propiedades físicas de un suelo Aridisol y los efectos sobre el rendimiento del trigo debido al tráfico de tractores agrícolas en Vélez Blanco, Almería, España. Los parámetros analizados fueron índice de cono (IC) a una profundidad de 0-600 mm, densidad aparente (DA) y profundidad de huella; también se analizó la variable rendimiento del trigo (RT). Los tratamientos de tráfico aplicados fueron: cero (parcela testigo), y uno, tres, cinco, y siete pasadas de tractor sobre la misma huella. En cada parcela experimental se utilizaron dos tractores, uno ligero (60 kN) y uno pesado (80 kN). En el horizonte superficial (0-200 mm), hasta las cinco pasadas de los tractores pesados (TP) y ligeros (TL), los valores de DA y de IC respondieron a la presión en el área de contacto, siendo más alto en valor absoluto para TL cuando pasó una y tres veces. Para el rango de profundidad 200-400 mm, TP causó valores más altos de IC (1.570 a 2.200 kPa) y DA (1,38 a 1,68 Mg m-3) que TL. RT se evaluó ocho meses después sobre el área pisada, observándose una disminución en un rango de 18-38%. Las cargas totales aplicadas de 80 y 60 kN, con siete pasadas, aumentaron DA hasta 1,5 Mg m-3 en el rango 200-600 mm. A pesar de que el suelo presentó una alta DA antes de aplicar los tratamientos, se observó un incremento significativo de la compactación del subsuelo por las altas intensidades de tráfico aplicadas.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale