Animal Models of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the first leading cause of death and morbidity in developed countries. The use of animal models have contributed to increase our knowledge, providing new approaches focused to improve the diagnostic and the treatment of these pathologies. Several models have been developed to address cardiovascular complications, including atherothrombotic and cardiac diseases, and the same pathology have been successfully recreated in different species, including small and big animal models of disease. However, genetic and environmental factors play a significant role in cardiovascular pathophysiology, making difficult to match a particular disease, with a single experimental model. Therefore, no exclusive method perfectly recreates the human complication, and depending on the model, additional considerations of cost, infrastructure, and the requirement for specialized personnel, should also have in mind. Considering all these facts, and depending on the budgets available, models should be selected that best reproduce the disease being investigated. Here we will describe models of atherothrombotic diseases, including expanding and occlusive animal models, as well as models of heart failure. Given the wide range of models available, today it is possible to devise the best strategy, which may help us to find more efficient and reliable solutions against human cardiovascular diseases

Diseño plan de mantenimiento preventivo para optimizar funcionamiento de grupos electrógenos para clientes de Edipesa

Este trabajo de investigación abarca los problemas prematuros que aquejan los grupos electrógenos, perjudicando en el buen funcionamiento, en los primeros días de uso o dentro del año de garantía que brinda la empresa Distribuidora, Edipesa. Lo cual implica perdida de producción para el cliente y gastos innecesarios por parte del distribuidor al cubrir la garantía, que el cliente está en todo el derecho de reclamar. Para ello se logra diseñar un plan de mantenimiento que optimizara el buen funcionamiento de los grupos electrógenos, reduciendo paradas inesperadas, reduciendo costos para la empresa y aumentando la producción del cliente. Haciendo uso de la base de datos de Servicio Técnico de la Empresa Edipesa, se pudo registrar los clientes con más reclamos por garantía, los cuales fueron evaluados a través de una encuesta para determinar algunos de los factores, que eran la causa de las fallas de los equipos. Como resultado se obtuvo que tanto el cliente como el operario a cargo de equipo, tienen un desconocimiento para los cuidados de un grupo electrógeno y así mismo falta de conocimiento de los mantenimientos preventivos y correctivos que se debe de hacer de forma periódica para garantizar el buen funcionamiento del generador. Ante esta situación se diseñó formatos tal como: Check List, formato de prueba, entrega de equipos, pautas de mantenimiento, orden de trabajo. Los cuales fueron elaborados con conocimiento técnico y experiencia técnica

ICF-Based Disability Survey in a Rural Population of Adults and Older Adults Living in Cinco Villas, Northeastern Spain: Design, Methods and Population Characteristics

Background: This article describes the methods of a door-to-door screening survey exploring the distribution of disability and its major determinants in northeastern Spain. This study will set the basis for the development of disability-related services for the rural elderly in northeastern Spain. Methods: The probabilistic sample was composed of 1,354 de facto residents from a population of 12,784 Social Security card holders (age: 6 50 years). Cognitive and disability screenings were conducted (period: June 2008-June 2009). Screening instruments were the MMSE and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. Participants screened positive for disability underwent an assessment protocol focusing on primary care diagnoses, disability, lifestyle, and social and health service usage. Participants screened positive for cognitive functioning went through in-depth neurological evaluation. Results: The study sample is described. Usable data were available for 1,216 participants. A total of 625 individuals (51.4%) scored within the positive range in the disability screening, while 135 (11.1%) scored within the positive range of the cognitive screening. The proportion of positively screened individuals was higher for women and increased with age. Conclusions: Screening surveys represent a feasible design for examining the distribution of disability and its determinants among the elderly. Data quality may benefit from methodological developments tailored to rural populations with a low education level. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Base

TNF Superfamily: A Growing Saga of Kidney Injury Modulators

Members of the TNF superfamily participate in kidney disease. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and Fas ligand regulate renal cell survival and inflammation, and therapeutic targeting improves the outcome of experimental renal injury. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL and its potential decoy receptor osteoprotegerin are the two most upregulated death-related genes in human diabetic nephropathy. TRAIL activates NF-kappaB in tubular cells and promotes apoptosis in tubular cells and podocytes, especially in a high-glucose environment. By contrast, osteoprotegerin plays a protective role against TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Another family member, TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK induces inflammation and tubular cell death or proliferation, depending on the microenvironment. While TNF only activates canonical NF-kappaB signaling, TWEAK promotes both canonical and noncanonical NF-kappaB activation in tubular cells, regulating different inflammatory responses. TWEAK promotes the secretion of MCP-1 and RANTES through NF-kappaB RelA-containing complexes and upregulates CCl21 and CCL19 expression through NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK-) dependent RelB/NF-kappaB2 complexes. In vivo TWEAK promotes postnephrectomy compensatory renal cell proliferation in a noninflammatory milieu. However, in the inflammatory milieu of acute kidney injury, TWEAK promotes tubular cell death and inflammation. Therapeutic targeting of TNF superfamily cytokines, including multipronged approaches targeting several cytokines should be further explored

Proteomic approach in the search of new cardiovascular biomarkers

Proteomic approach in the search of new cardiovascular biomarkers With the increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, specifically atherosclerosis and heart failure, the search for novel biomarkers remains a priority. As opposed to complex diagnostic techniques that may not be suitable to be applied to the wider population, biomarkers are useful for population screening. The search for novel biomarkers is based on knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes that take place in the development of a specific disease. Atherosclerosis and heart failure are characterized by a long period of silent disease progression, allowing early diagnosis and the potential of early therapeutic intervention. The use of the so-called proteomic techniques allows not only protein identification but partial characterization, which includes expression and also post-translational modification of these proteins. This allows for the discovery of previously unknown proteins involved in cardiovascular diseases, including some that may be suitable to be used as biomarkers. However, to approach this issue, we have to overcome difficulties such as tissue heterogeneity (vessel wall or myocardium) and the lack of fresh human samples. We discuss the proteomic study of human plaques, secreted proteins by pathologic and normal vessel wall, and left ventricular hypertrophy as potential sources of new biologic markers of cardiovascular disease

Influence of air pollutants on circulating inflammatory cells and microRNA expression in acute myocardial infarction.

Air pollutants increase the risk and mortality of myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to assess the inflammatory changes in circulating immune cells and microRNAs in MIs related to short-term exposure to air pollutants. We studied 192 patients with acute coronary syndromes and 57 controls with stable angina. For each patient, air pollution exposure in the 24-h before admission, was collected. All patients underwent systematic circulating inflammatory cell analyses. According to PM2.5 exposure, 31 patients were selected for microRNA analyses. STEMI patients exposed to PM2.5 showed a reduction of CD4+ regulatory T cells. Furthermore, in STEMI patients the exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increase of miR-146a-5p and miR-423-3p. In STEMI and NSTEMI patients PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increase of miR-let-7f-5p. STEMI related to PM2.5 short-term exposure is associated with changes involving regulatory T cells, miR-146a-5p and miR-423-3p.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [SAF2017-82886-R, to F.S.M] Proyecto de Investigación en Salud [PI21/01583 to H.F.]. Grant from the Sociedad Española de Cardiologia to F.A. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Carlos III Institute of Health-Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria [PI19/00545 to P.M.] From the Comunidad de Madrid [S2017/BMD-3671-INFLAMUNE-CM] to FSM and PM. Tis research has been co-fnanced by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).S

Effect of aeration on nitrogen removal-associated microbial community in an innovative vertical cork-based constructed wetland for winery wastewater treatment

The wine industry produces large quantities of wastewater that often contains high levels of organic matter and nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorous. In particular, nitrogen pollution can be harmful, even at low levels, since infants are vulnerable to nitrates in drinking water, and excess nitrogen can harm the health of soils and waterways. Herein, an innovative compact, modular, and mobile treatment wetland (TW) using cork by product as the only granular media was used to treat the final effluents from the Codorniu winery (Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Spain). The TW was operated during two 5-month periods with or without intermittent induced aeration (40 min cycles, 90 L/min air flow rate). Nitrate (N-NO3) and total nitrogen (TN) removal were higher (52.8% and 46.8%, respectively, p < 0.05) during TW operation under aerated-condition. Additionally, qPCR analysis of 16S rRNA, nirS and nosZ genes revealed that intermittent induced aeration facilitates N-NO3 reduction by the stimulation of denitrifying bacteria in the TW biofilm (11.4% increase in nirS copies number/g cork sample, p < 0.05) as well as increasing the number of heterotrophic bacteria adhered to cork (25.5% increase in 16S rRNA copies number/g cork sample, p < 0.05). Moreover, SEM images demonstrated the suitability of cork as a resistant filter media for TW after long-term system operation (1.5 years). In conclusion, our results suggest that aeration improved ni- trogen compounds removal compared to the non-aerated period, without affecting phosphorous elimination. Additionally, residual cork is presented here in a circular bioeconomy view, as a suitable filling media to treat winery wastewater that can provide additional carbon source to increase C/N rate stimulating denitrification, as well as a reliable organic substrate for biomass growth.To LIFE Programme, the EU's financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation, and climate action projects throughout the EU that supports LIFE ECORKWASTE 14 ENV/ES/460.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Higher constitutive IL15Rα expression and lower IL‐15 response threshold in coeliac disease patients

The IL-15 triggering effect of gliadin is not exclusive to coeliac disease (CD) patients, whereas the secondary response is CD specific. We have studied the expression of the IL-15 receptor, and the IL-15 response upon stimulation, in non-CD and CD patients, and the possible existence of a lower immunological threshold in the latter. Forty-two CD patients (20 on a gluten-containing diet, GCD, and 22 on gluten-free diet, GFD) and 24 non-CD healthy individuals were studied. IL15Rα mRNA expression, and tissue characterization, were assayed in the duodenum. Biopsies from six CD patients on GFD and 10 non-CD individuals were studied in vitro using organ culture in basal conditions, as well as after IL-15 stimulation discarding basal IL-15 production. Secretion of immune mediators was measured in the culture supernatants. IL15Rα mRNA expression was increased in CD patients, as compared with non-CD controls (on GFD P = 0·0334, on GCD P = 0·0062, respectively), and confirmed also by immunofluorescence. No differences were found between CD patients on GFD and on GCD. After in vitro IL-15 stimulation, IL15Rα expression was only triggered in non-CD controls (P = 0·0313), though it remained increased in CD patients. Moreover, IL-15 induced a more intense immunological response in CD patients after triggering the production of both nitrites and IFNγ (P = 0·0313, P = 0·0313, respectively). Gliadin-induced IL15 has a lower response threshold in CD patients, leading to the production of other immune mediators and the development of the intestinal lesion, and thus magnifying its effects within the CD intestine.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasLaboratorio de Investigaciones del Sistema Inmun

Tenofovir Nephrotoxicity: 2011 Update

Tenofovir is an acyclic nucleotide analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor structurally similar to the nephrotoxic drugs adefovir and cidofovir. Tenofovir is widely used to treat HIV infection and approved for treatment of hepatitis B virus. Despite initial cell culture and clinical trials results supporting the renal safety of tenofovir, its clinical use is associated with a low, albeit significant, risk of kidney injury. Proximal tubular cell secretion of tenofovir explains the accumulation of the drug in these mitochondria-rich cells. Tenofovir nephrotoxicity is characterized by proximal tubular cell dysfunction that may be associated with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Withdrawal of the drug leads to improvement of analytical parameters that may be partial. Understanding the risk factors for nephrotoxicity and regular monitoring of proximal tubular dysfunction and serum creatinine in high-risk patients is required to minimize nephrotoxicity. Newer, structurally similar molecular derivatives that do not accumulate in proximal tubules are under study

Aprovechamiento y respuesta productiva de ovinos en una pastura de Agropiros en la Patagonia Austral

En el sur de Santa Cruz se desarrolló un trabajo con el objetivo de evaluar la eficiencia del aprovechamiento y la respuesta productiva de corderos/as y ovejas de cría con dos niveles contrastantes de carga animal en una pastura mezcla de agropiros introducidos de Canadá desde el 10/Ene-28/Dic al 14-21/Feb de las temporadas 2016-2017 y 2017-2018, respectivamente. En tres sectores de la pastura se realizaron mediciones de plantas logradas por m2 y cobertura aérea vegetal, y en las fechas inicial y final del uso se determinó la altura de plantas (AP), la biomasa aérea (agropiros + inter-coironal) por sector y total ajustada disponible y las fracciones vivo y muerto del material cosechado. Al final del pastoreo, se calculó la eficiencia de utilización mediante fórmula. El trabajo incluyó registros de lluvias y temperaturas. En ambas categorías ovinas, se registró el peso vivo (PV) inicial y final (I y F), ganancia de PV total (GPVT) y diaria (GPVD) y se establecieron rangos de PVI y PVF. En las ovejas se midió la condición corporal (CC) I y F. El análisis estadístico relacionó la biomasa aérea disponible (BADisp) I y F de los agropiros por sector con la AP mediante correlaciones. Al final del pastoreo la AP y la BADisp disminuyeron conforme el forraje cosechado en cada sector de la pastura. En general, la eficiencia de utilización fue superior en el sector más productivo. Hubo una respuesta contrastante en el desempeño productivo de los corderos/as en función de la carga animal impuesta en ambas temporadas. Se concluye la necesidad de lograr un mejor ajuste de éste último parámetro que evite una excesiva defoliación de plantas, pero a su vez permita un mayor aprovechamiento de este recurso forrajero con ganado ovino.EEA Santa CruzFil: Utrilla, Víctor Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Grupo Producción Agropecuaria; Argentina.Fil: Clifton, Guillermo Raimundo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Grupo Producción Agropecuaria; Argentina.Fil: Barría, Daniel Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Campo Experimental Potrok Aike; Argentina.Fil: Vargas, Paola Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Grupo Producción Agropecuaria; Argentina.Fil: Andrade, Miguel Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Grupo Producción Agropecuaria; Argentina.Fil: Gallardo, Rodrigo Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Grupo Producción Agropecuaria; Argentina.Fil: Nuñez, Mario Del Corazón de Jesus. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz. Campo Experimental Potrok Aike; Argentina