Alternative Splicing and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative process whose origin is unknown. It has been associated with this process at least two important proteins: the first is the β-amyloid forming amyloid plaques and the second protein is Tau, which has been determined to precipitates inside the neuron because hyperphosphorylation, causing instability in the axon. Tau microtubule-associated protein (MAP) is essential for the development of neuronal cell polarity. Tau protein is preferentially localized in the axons, whereas MAP2, another neuronal specific microtubule-associated protein, is localized in the somatodendritic domain. Previous studies have demonstrated that the localization of these proteins depends, at least in part, on messenger RNA (mRNA) subcellular localization, that is, Tau mRNA into the axon and MAP2 mRNA into the dendrite. Tau protein has an essential role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, and hyperphosphorylated Tau promotes destabilization of microtubules. Tau alternative splicing generates six isoforms in the adult human brain due to the inclusion or exclusion of exons 2, 3, and 10. The failure in the splicing process of exon 10 generates a tauopathy, which can be carried out by the amyloid peptide; however, the splicing of other exons is less studied. The impact of amyloid peptide on the alternative splicing of exons 2, 3, and 6 caused formed cell processes to retract in differentiated cells and altered the expression of exons 2/3 in cell culture. Expression of exon 6 was repressed under β-amyloid treatment. The molecular mechanism for this amyloid-Tau interaction remains to be determined, but may have potential implications for the understanding of the underlying neuropathological processes in Alzheimer’s disease

Rehabilitating a brain with Alzheimer’s: a proposal

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, originating sporadically in the population aged over 65 years, and advanced age is the principal risk factor leading to AD development. In spite of the large amount of research going on around the globe and all the information now available about AD, there is still no origin or triggering process known so far. Drugs approved for the treatment of AD include tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. These may delay or slow down the degenerative process for a while, but they can neither stop nor reverse its progression. Because that this might be due to a lack of effect of these drugs on degenerating neurons, even when they are able to potentiate the brain in nondegenerative conditions, we propose here an alternative therapy consisting of initial repair of neuronal membranes followed by conventional drug therapies. The rehabilitation of neurons in a degeneration process would enable the drugs to act more effectively on them and improve the effects of treatment in AD patients

Protocol for the formulation of programmed conservation plans in Costa Rica

[EN] This paper discusses the proposed protocol for the formulation of programmed conservation plans (PCP) for heritage buildings in the Costa Rican context, which is one of the outcomes of the second objective of the research project «Management tools and programmed conservation in built heritage interventions in Costa Rica». The methodological techniques for achieving this objective were synchronic comparison, document analysis, preparation of the proposal, and validation. This document describes the PCP formulation protocol by means of process diagrams for each proposed phase.[ES] En este artículo se aborda la propuesta del protocolo de formulación de planes de conservación programada (PCP) para inmuebles patrimoniales en el contexto costarricense, el cual es parte de los resultados del segundo objetivo del proyecto de investigación: «Herramientas de gestión y conservación programada en intervenciones de bienes inmuebles patrimoniales en Costa Rica». La metodología para el desarrollo de este objetivo consistió en la comparación sincrónica, el análisis documental, la elaboración de la propuesta y la validación. La descripción del protocolo se acompaña de diagramas de proceso para cada fase propuesta.Bulgarelli-Bolaños, JP.; Malavassi-Aguilar, RE.; Hernández-Salazar, I.; Salazar Ceciliano, E.; Valverde-Solano, MDC.; Pinto Puerto, F. (2022). Propuesta de protocolo para la formulación de Planes de Conservación Programada en Costa Rica. Loggia, Arquitectura & Restauración. (35):28-39. https://doi.org/10.4995/loggia.2022.1632028393

Optimización del método de cuantificación voltamperométrico de naproxeno usando un electrodo de pasta de carbono

En el presente trabajo se describe un método sencillo para la cuantificación voltamperométrica de naproxeno. La oxidación del naproxeno se llevó a cabo en dos diferentes electrodos de pasta de carbono con y sin nanotubos de carbono (NTC), utilizando voltamperometría diferencial de pulsos para su cuantificación. Se observa un pico de oxidación a un potencial de 0.916 V y 0.940 V respectivamente contra un electrodo de referencia Ag/AgCl saturado, en un buffer de fosfatos 0.1 molL-¹ a pH 7. El proceso de oxidación del naproxeno está regido por la difusión en los dos diferentes electrodos de trabajo y es un proceso irreversible. Se realiza una curva de calibración para cada electrodo de trabajo donde se obtienen los parámetros analíticos donde los mejores resultan para el electrodo grafito-NTC con un coeficiente de correlación de 0.993, una sensibilidad 2.2±0.1 μA/μmolL-¹, un LD y LC de 0.1 y 0.33 μmolL-¹ respectivamente. El método propuesto es una alternativa para la cuantificación de naproxeno en muestras farmacéuticas.The present work describes a simple method for the voltammetric quantification of naproxen. Oxidation of naproxen was performed using two different carbon paste electrodes, with and without carbon nanotubes (CNT) using differential pulse voltammetry for quantification. A maximum anodic current was recorded at a 0.916 V and 0.940 V, referred to a saturated Ag/AgCl reference electrode, in the presence of 0.1 molL-1 phosphates buffer at pH 7. Naproxen’s oxidation is an irreversible diffusion-controlled process for the two different working electrodes. Calibration curves were obtained for each working electrode where the best analytical parameters are obtained using the graphite-CNT electrode with a correlation coefficient of 0.993, sensitivity of 2.2 ± 0.1 μA/μmolL1, detection and quantification limits of 0.1 and 0.33 μmolL-1 respectively. The method proposed was adequate for naproxen quantification in pharmaceutical samples

The Brain-Like Enteric Nervous System

Understanding the autonomic supply at the gastrointestinal tract is one of the significant challenges for science. Its complex network of neurons exists on a broad evolutionary scale, from Hydra to mammals, and in a higher number than those found in the vertebrate spinal cord. Inside the gastrointestinal tract, enteric neurons regulate several functions with intrinsic processes and communicate with the other complex known as the microbiome. Outside the gastrointestinal tract, the enteric neurons project to the brain stem and spinal cord via the gut–brain axis. Furthermore, this enteric system has close functional relationships with the immune system for a rapid response to unhealthy food. The present chapter focuses on the structure, function, and pathologies of the enteric nervous system

Cambio de uso de suelo, fragmentació del paisaje y la conservación de Leopardus pardalis Linnaeus, 1758

En México la selva alta perennifolia y el bosque mesófilo de montaña han sido eliminados y fragmentados, en estos ecosistemas habita el ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), una especie considerada en peligro de extinción en México. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar los cambios de uso del suelo, fragmentación de la vegetación primaria y sus efectos sobre el ocelote, en una zona clave para la conectividad de sus poblaciones. Para llevar a cabo el trabajo, se calcularon las tasas de cambio de vegetación y uso del suelo, además se realizó un análisis de fragmentación. Para el registro de ocelotes, se colocaron cámaras trampa en un área de 110 km2. Los resultados mostraron una tasa de cambio de -2.63 y -2.29 para la selva alta perennifolia y el bosque mesófilo de montaña, respectivamente. Las observaciones de ocelote ocurrieron en el interior o muy cercanas (1.6 km) a zonas con valor de conectividad mayor a 10 %. El tamaño de los fragmentos de hábitat fue pequeño: 0.85 ha para bosque mesófilo de montaña y 1.04 ha en selva alta perennifolia; y la conectividad entre ellos fue de <30 %. Estos resultados reflejan la necesidad de mantener la conectividad del paisaje para la conservación de las poblaciones de L. pardalis

Cuantificación y caracterización electroquímica de diclofenaco en electrodo de grafito

En el presente trabajo se propone una metodología nueva para detectar y cuantificar diclofenaco. La cuantificación se hace de manera indirecta se realiza en medio acuoso con una barra de grafito como electrodo de trabajo. Se analiza el proceso electroquímico del diclofenaco a través de una voltamperometría cíclica encontrando dos picos anódicas a un potencial de 0.60 V y 0.92 V; en sentido catódico dos pico a 0.057 V y 0.343 V. Para generar la señal analítica se usan dos tratamientos diferentes: un tratamiento potenciométrico y otro potenciostático. La metodología propuesta se usa para la cuantificación de diclofenaco en muestras farmacéuticas comerciales, resultando un método correlativo.In this work, a new method is proposed for sensing diclofenac. Indirect quantification is performed in aqueous media with a graphite bar as working electrode. The electrochemical process is analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and two anodic peaks are found at 0.60 V and 0.92 V, also two cathodic peaks at 057 V and 0.343 V. To generate the analytic signal, two different treatments are studied: potentiodynamic and potentiostatic to the working electrode. The proposed methodology is used for diclofenac quantification in commercial pharmaceutical samples, resulting a competitive method

Registros recientes de Caluromys derbianus (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), Tamandua mexicana (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) y Coendou mexicanus (Rodentia: Erethizontidae) en Oaxaca, México

We present notable records of golden opossum (Caluromys derbianus), anteater (Tamandua mexicana), and porcupine (Coendou mexicanus), three cryptic species, with arboreal habits considered cared for in Mexico, whose presence in Oaxaca is historical or scarce. The record of golden opossum was obtained through photo-trapping and the records of porcupine and anteater through reports from local inhabitants. The golden opossum was recorded in a fragment of tropical evergreen forest, while the records of the other two species occurred in agricultural areas, but close (&lt;3 km) to patches of secondary vegetation of tropical evergreen forest, the areas were equal or greater 0.97 km2. These records increase the knowledge of the presence of these species in the north of Oaxaca. The records indicated the tolerance of the anteater and porcupine to anthropized landscapes, and may highlight the type of risks they may face from being run over and captured.Presentamos registros notables de tlacuache dorado (Caluromys derbianus), oso hormiguero (Tamandua mexicana) y puerco espín (Coendou mexicanus), tres especies crípticas, de hábitos arborícolas consideradas amenazadas en México, cuya presencia en Oaxaca es histórica o escasa. El registro de tlacuache dorado se obtuvo a través de fototrampeo y los registros de puerco espín y oso hormiguero por medio de reportes de habitantes locales. El tlacuache dorado fue registrado en un fragmento de bosque tropical perennifolio, mientras que los registros de las otras dos especies ocurrieron en áreas agrícolas, pero cerca (&lt;3 km) de parches de vegetación secundaria de bosque tropical perennifolio cuyas áreas fueron iguales o mayores 0.97 km2. Estos registros incrementan el conocimiento de la presencia de estas especies en el norte de Oaxaca. Los registros muestran la tolerancia del oso hormiguero y el puerco espín a paisajes antropizados, y ponen en evidencia el tipo de riesgos que pueden enfrentar por atropellamientos y captura

Wnt pathway genes in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: differential expression and genetic association study

Producción CientíficaIn comparison with hip fractures, increased expression of genes in the Wnt pathway and increased Wnt activity were found in bone samples and osteoblast cultures from patients with osteoarthritis, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in subchondral bone changes. No consistent differences were found in the genetic association study

Integrated molecular signaling involving mitochondrial dysfunction and alteration of cell metabolism induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer

Cancer cells have unlimited replicative potential, insensitivity to growth-inhibitory signals, evasion of apoptosis, cellular stress, and sustained angiogenesis, invasiveness and metastatic potential. Cancer cells adequately adapt cell metabolism and integrate several intracellular and redox signaling to promote cell survival in an inflammatory and hypoxic microenvironment in order to maintain/expand tumor phenotype. The administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) constitutes the recommended therapeutic strategy in different malignancies at advanced stages. There are important interrelationships between cell stress, redox status, mitochondrial function, metabolism and cellular signaling pathways leading to cell survival/death. The induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest widely related to the antitumoral properties of TKIs result from tightly controlled events involving different cellular compartments and signaling pathways. The aim of the present review is to update the most relevant studies dealing with the impact of TKI treatment on cell function. The induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Ca2+ disturbances, leading to alteration of mitochondrial function, redox status and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathways that involve cell metabolism reprogramming in cancer cells will be covered. Emphasis will be given to studies that identify key components of the integrated molecular pattern including receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) downstream signaling, cell death and mitochondria-related events that appear to be involved in the resistance of cancer cells to TKI treatments.This study was funded by Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCiii) (PI16/00090, PI19/00838 and PI19/01266), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2016-80006-P), Andalusian Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment (BIO-216 and CTS-6264), Andalusian Ministry of Equality, Health and Social Policies (PI-0198-2016) and Valencian Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (PROMETEO/2019/027). P de la C-O was supported by FPU predoctoral fellowship (FPU17/00026) from Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. E N-V was supported by the the predoctoral i-PFIS IIS-enterprise contract in science and technologies in health (IFI18/00014) from ISCiii. We thank the Biomedical Research Network Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERcv), and the Biomedical Research Network Center for Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd) founded by the ISCiii and co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) "A way to achieve Europe" for their financial support