Fisiopatologia de la cascada isquemica y su influencia en la isquemia cerebral

Ischemic stroke is triggered by a series of biochemical processes resulting from disruption of blood flow. It involves a complex mixture of different biomolecular events that originate and develop through the ischemic cascade, generating excitotoxicity, which together trigger irreversible cell injury. The study and knowledge of the different pathophysiological processes that occur in this cascade allows the understanding of the synthesis of this pathology in order to develop tools that allow the clinician to design neuroprotection and early detection strategies to prevent its consequences.El accidente cerebrovascular isquémico es desencadenado por una serie de procesos bioquímicos producto de la interrupción del flujo sanguíneo cerebral. Involucra una mezcla compleja de diferentes acontecimientos biomoleculares que se originan y desarrollan a través de la cascada isquémica, generando excitotoxicidad, que en conjunto desencadenan la lesión celular irreversible. El estudio y comprensión de los diferentes procesos fisiopatológicos que ocurren en esta cascada permite conocer la síntesis de esta patología para poder desarrollar herramientas que le faciliten al clínico el diseño de estrategias de neuroprotección y detección anticipada para prevenir las consecuencias de la misma. &nbsp

K-7 science teaching: an introduction

PDF document, 5 pages. Work document proyect "Scientific literacy at the school: improving strategies and building new practices of science teaching in early years education" financied by Erasmus Plus Program. European Union.[EN] The overall objective of these pages is to think over the evolution of the concepts of scientific literacy of the society since the mid-twentieth century to the present day. In this period, the meaning of the expression has undergone certain changes, that can be divided into three periods: a first stage characterized by the elaboration of benchmarks, a second period centered in the Nature of the Scientific Research (NSR) and, finally, a third stage devoted to the so-called vision of the nature of science (VNOS). On the same footing as the science learning and according to the guidelines of the European H2020, we should also consider the removal of existing barriers that generate discrimination against women in scientific careers.N

Safinamida como tratamiento complementario al levodopa para la enfermedad del Parkinson en fase media o avanzada

Safinamide is a novel drug with both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic effects. Its mechanism works as a selective reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-B approved as a complementary treatment to levodopa in patients with mid-to-late Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations. Safinamide does not cause new dyskinesia or worsen the existing one but is able to reduce this symptom in these patients.La safinamida es un medicamento novedoso tanto con dopaminérgico como efectos no dopaminérgicos. Su mecanismo funciona como un inhibidor selectivo reversible de la monoaminooxidasa-B aprobado como tratamiento complementario a la levodopa en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson de etapa media a tardía y fluctuaciones motoras. La safinamida no causa discinesia nueva ni empeora la existente sino es capaz de reducir este síntoma en estos pacientes

La enseñanza de la ciencia en Infantil y Primaria: una introducción

PDF en castellano, 5 páginas con imágenes.Documento de trabajo para el inicio del proyecto titulado "Scientific literacy at the school: improving strategies and building new practices of science teaching in early years education" cofinanciado por el programa Erasmus Plus de la Unión Europea.El objetivo general de estas páginas es reflexionar sobre la nueva concepción de alfabetización científica de la sociedad desde mediados del siglo XX hasta nuestros días, periodo en que han aparecido tres conceptos fundamentales: la etapa de los benchmarks, el periodo de la naturaleza de la investigación (NIC) y, por último, la visión de la naturaleza de la ciencia (VNOS), así como los objetivos de igualdad de género contemplados en el Proyecto Europeo H2020.N

CD69 is a TGF-β/1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 target gene in monocytes

CD69 is a transmembrane lectin that can be expressed on most hematopoietic cells. In monocytes, it has been functionally linked to the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in which the leukotrienes, a class of highly potent inflammatory mediators, are produced. However, regarding CD69 gene expression and its regulatory mechanisms in monocytes, only scarce data are available. Here, we report that CD69 mRNA expression, analogous to that of 5-lipoxygenase, is induced by the physiologic stimuli transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3) in monocytic cells. Comparison with T- and B-cell lines showed that the effect was specific for monocytes. CD69 expression levels were increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and kinetic analysis revealed a rapid onset of mRNA expression, indicating that CD69 is a primary TGF-β/1α,25(OH)2D3 target gene. PCR analysis of different regions of the CD69 mRNA revealed that de novo transcription was initiated and proximal and distal parts were induced concomitantly. In common with 5-lipoxygenase, no activation of 0.7 kb or ~2.3 kb promoter fragments by TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 could be observed in transient reporter assays for CD69. Analysis of mRNA stability using a transcription inhibitor and a 3′UTR reporter construct showed that TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 do not influence CD69 mRNA stability. Functional knockdown of Smad3 clearly demonstrated that upregulation of CD69 mRNA, in contrast to 5-LO, depends on Smad3. Comparative studies with different inhibitors for mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) revealed that MAPK signalling is involved in CD69 gene regulation, whereas 5-lipoxygenase gene expression was only partly affected. Mechanistically, we found evidence that CD69 gene upregulation depends on TAK1-mediated p38 activation. In summary, our data indicate that CD69 gene expression, conforming with 5-lipoxygenase, is regulated monocyte-specifically by the physiologic stimuli TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 on mRNA level, although different mechanisms account for the upregulation of each gene

Staphylococcus aureus reservoirs and transmission routes in a Portuguese Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a 30-month surveillance study.

Although Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), there are no studies on the epidemiology of S. aureus isolates responsible for infection in Portuguese NICUs. Between July 2005 and December 2007, a total of 54 methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were recovered from 16 infected infants, parents, health care workers (HCWs), and the environment in a level III NICU. Isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), spa typing, and multilocus sequence typing. Virulence determinants were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Three major MSSA clones were endemic in the NICU, representing 70% (n=38) of the isolates: PFGE type A-ST5 (n=17); type B-ST30 (n=12); and type C-ST1 (n=9). Leukotoxins and hemolysins were present in all isolates, although none of them carried PVL. HCWs, plastic folders protecting clinical files, and mothers' nipples were identified as potential reservoirs and/or vehicles of dissemination of S. aureus. Consequently, additional infection control measures were implemented in this NICU

Cytotoxic T cells expressing the co-stimulatory receptor NKG2 D are increased in cigarette smoking and COPD

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A suggested role for T cells in COPD pathogenesis is based on associations between increased lung cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CD8⁺) numbers and airflow limitation. CD69 is an early T cell activation marker. Natural Killer cell group 2 D (NKG2D) receptors are co-stimulatory molecules induced on CD8⁺T cells upon activation. The activating function of NKG2 D is triggered by binding to MHC class 1 chain-related (MIC) molecules A and B, expressed on surface of stressed epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of MIC A and B in the bronchial epithelium and NKG2 D and CD69 on BAL lymphocytes in subjects with COPD, compared to smokers with normal lung function and healthy never-smokers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Bronchoscopy with airway lavages and endobronchial mucosal biopsy sampling was performed in 35 patients with COPD, 21 healthy never-smokers and 16 smokers with normal lung function. Biopsies were immunohistochemically stained and BAL lymphocyte subsets were determined using flow cytometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Epithelial CD3⁺lymphocytes in bronchial biopsies were increased in both smokers with normal lung function and in COPD patients, compared to never-smokers. Epithelial CD8⁺lymphocyte numbers were higher in the COPD group compared to never-smoking controls. Among gated CD3⁺cells in BAL, the percentage of CD8⁺NKG2D⁺cells was enhanced in patients with COPD and smokers with normal lung function, compared to never-smokers. The percentage of CD8⁺CD69⁺cells and cell surface expression of CD69 were enhanced in patients with COPD and smokers with normal lung function, compared to never-smokers. No changes in the expression of MIC A or MIC B in the airway epithelium could be detected between the groups, whereas significantly decreased soluble MICB was detected in bronchial wash from smokers with normal lung function, compared to never-smokers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In COPD, we found increased numbers of cytotoxic T cells in both bronchial epithelium and airway lumen. Further, the proportions of CD69- and NKG2D-expressing cytotoxic T cells in BAL fluid were enhanced in both subjects with COPD and smokers with normal lung function and increased expression of CD69 was found on CD8⁺cells, indicating the cigarette smoke exposure-induced expansion of activated cytotoxic T cells, which potentially can respond to stressed epithelial cells.</p

Properties of Graphene: A Theoretical Perspective

In this review, we provide an in-depth description of the physics of monolayer and bilayer graphene from a theorist's perspective. We discuss the physical properties of graphene in an external magnetic field, reflecting the chiral nature of the quasiparticles near the Dirac point with a Landau level at zero energy. We address the unique integer quantum Hall effects, the role of electron correlations, and the recent observation of the fractional quantum Hall effect in the monolayer graphene. The quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene is fundamentally different from that of a monolayer, reflecting the unique band structure of this system. The theory of transport in the absence of an external magnetic field is discussed in detail, along with the role of disorder studied in various theoretical models. We highlight the differences and similarities between monolayer and bilayer graphene, and focus on thermodynamic properties such as the compressibility, the plasmon spectra, the weak localization correction, quantum Hall effect, and optical properties. Confinement of electrons in graphene is nontrivial due to Klein tunneling. We review various theoretical and experimental studies of quantum confined structures made from graphene. The band structure of graphene nanoribbons and the role of the sublattice symmetry, edge geometry and the size of the nanoribbon on the electronic and magnetic properties are very active areas of research, and a detailed review of these topics is presented. Also, the effects of substrate interactions, adsorbed atoms, lattice defects and doping on the band structure of finite-sized graphene systems are discussed. We also include a brief description of graphane -- gapped material obtained from graphene by attaching hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom in the lattice.Comment: 189 pages. submitted in Advances in Physic

Bacteria isolated from lung modulate asthma susceptibility in mice

Asthma is a chronic, non-curable, multifactorial disease with increasing incidence in industrial countries. This study evaluates the direct contribution of lung microbial components in allergic asthma in mice. Germ-Free and Specific-Pathogen-Free mice display similar susceptibilities to House Dust Mice-induced allergic asthma, indicating that the absence of bacteria confers no protection or increased risk to aeroallergens. In early life, allergic asthma changes the pattern of lung microbiota, and lung bacteria reciprocally modulate aeroallergen responsiveness. Primo-colonizing cultivable strains were screened for their immunoregulatory properties following their isolation from neonatal lungs. Intranasal inoculation of lung bacteria influenced the outcome of allergic asthma development: the strain CNCM I 4970 exacerbated some asthma features whereas the pro-Th1 strain CNCM I 4969 had protective effects. Thus, we confirm that appropriate bacterial lung stimuli during early life are critical for susceptibility to allergic asthma in young adults

Road expansion and persistence in forests of the Congo Basin

ISSN:2398-962