37 research outputs found
Smart vest for respiratory rate monitoring of COPD patients based on non-contact capacitive sensing
In this paper, a first approach to the design of a portable device for non-contact monitoring
of respiratory rate by capacitive sensing is presented. The sensing system is integrated into a smart
vest for an untethered, low-cost and comfortable breathing monitoring of Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients during the rest period between respiratory rehabilitation
exercises at home. To provide an extensible solution to the remote monitoring using this sensor and
other devices, the design and preliminary development of an e-Health platform based on the Internet
of Medical Things (IoMT) paradigm is also presented. In order to validate the proposed solution,
two quasi-experimental studies have been developed, comparing the estimations with respect to the
golden standard. In a first study with healthy subjects, the mean value of the respiratory rate error,
the standard deviation of the error and the correlation coefficient were 0.01 breaths per minute (bpm),
0.97 bpm and 0.995 (p < 0.00001), respectively. In a second study with COPD patients, the values
were -0.14 bpm, 0.28 bpm and 0.9988 (p < 0.0000001), respectively. The results for the rest period
show the technical and functional feasibility of the prototype and serve as a preliminary validation of
the device for respiratory rate monitoring of patients with COPD.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PI15/00306Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación DTS15/00195Junta de Andalucía PI-0010-2013Junta de Andalucía PI-0041-2014Junta de Andalucía PIN-0394-201
Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a strategy to improve recovery after stroke
Introduction: Based on the positive results observed in experimental animal models, adipose
tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) constitute a promising therapy for stroke
treatment. However, several aspects need to be clarified to identify the optimal conditions for
successful clinical translation.
Areas covered: This review focuses on AD-MSC treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
in experimental animal models. In addition, we will explore the optimization of treatment
conditions including AD-MSC production, administration routes and therapeutic windows for
their appropriate use in patients, and we will provide an update on clinical trials on this
therapy.
Expert opinion: Compared with other cell types, AD-MSCs have been less investigated in
stroke studies. Currently, experimental animal models have shown safety and efficacy with this
treatment after stroke. Due to several advantages of AD-MSCs, such as their abundance and
accessibility, they can be considered a promising strategy for use in patients. However, many
questions are still to be resolved regarding their mechanisms of action, immune system
modulation and the effects of AD-MSCs on all components of the brain that may be affected
after ischemic and hemorrhagic strokesThis project is supported by research grants PS12/01754 (Spanish Ministry of Science) and
INVICTUS (RD12/0014/0006) (Spanish Neurovascular Network), and Research Institute Carlos
III, Ministry Science and Innovatio
Comparison between xenogeneic and allogeneic adipose mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of acute cerebral infarct: Proof of concept in rats
Background: Rat adipose tissue-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (rAD-MSCs) have proven to be safe in experimental
animal models of stroke. However, in order to use human AD-MSCs (hAD-MSCs) as a treatment for stroke patients, a
proof of concept is needed. We analyzed whether the xenogeneic hAD-MSCs were as safe and effective as allogeneic
rAD-MSCs in permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (pMCAO) in rats.
Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, which were intravenously injected with
xenogeneic hAD-MSCs (2 × 106), allogeneic rAD-MSCs (2 × 106) or saline (control) at 30 min after pMCAO. Behavior, cell
implantation, lesion size and cell death were evaluated. Brain markers such as GFAP (glial fibrillary acid protein), VEGF
(vascular endothelial growth factor) and SYP (synaptophysin) and tumor formation were analyzed.
Results: Compared to controls, recovery was significantly better at 24 h and continued to be so at 14 d after IV
administration of either hAD-MSCs or rAD-MSCs. No reduction in lesion size or migration/implantation of cells in the
damaged brain were observed in the treatment groups. Nevertheless, cell death was significantly reduced with respect
to the control group in both treatment groups. VEGF and SYP levels were significantly higher, while those of GFAP
were lower in the treated groups. At three months, there was no tumor formation.
Conclusions: hAD-MSCs and rAD-MSCs were safe and without side effects or tumor formation. Both treatment groups
showed equal efficacy in terms of functional recovery and decreased ischemic brain damage (cell death and glial scarring)
and resulted in higher angiogenesis and synaptogenesis marker levelsThis research was supported by research grants FIS06/0575, FIS09/01606,
FIS12/01754 and INVICTUS (RD12/0014/0006) (Spanish Neurovascular
Network), Cellerix, and Research Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Science and
Innovation of Spain
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor administration mediated oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin formation in subcortical ischemic stroke
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Translational research is beginning to reveal the importance of trophic factors as a therapy for cellular brain repair. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) administration could mediate oligodendrogenesis and remyelination after white matter injury in subcortical stroke.
METHODS:
Ischemia was induced in rats by injection of endothelin-1. At 24 hours, 0.4 μg/kg of BDNF or saline was intravenously administered to the treatment and control groups, respectively. Functional evaluation, MRI, and fiber tract integrity on tractography images were analyzed. Proliferation (KI-67) and white matter repair markers (A2B5, 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase [CNPase], adenomatous polyposis coli [APC], platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha [PDGFR-α], oligodendrocyte marker O4 [O4], oligodendrocyte transcription factor [Olig-2], and myelin basic protein [MBP]) were analyzed at 7 and 28 days.
RESULTS:
The BDNF-treated animals showed less functional deficit at 28 days after treatment than the controls (P<0.05). Although T2-MRI did not show differences in lesion size at 7 and 28 days between groups, diffusion tensor imaging tractography analysis revealed significantly better tract connectivity at 28 days in the BDNF group than in the controls (P<0.05). Increased proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitors was observed in treated animals at 7 days (P<0.05). Finally, the levels of white matter repair markers (A2B5, CNPase, and O4 at 7 days; Olig-2 and MBP at 28 days) were higher in the BDNF group than in the controls (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
BDNF administration exerted better functional outcome, oligodendrogenesis, remyelination, and fiber connectivity than controls in rats subjected to subcortical damage in ischemic strokeSupported by research grants PS12/01754 (P.I.: EDT), INVICTUS Spanish
Neurovascular Network RD12/0014/0006 (BRF and JRC) and Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship CD12/00706 (LOO) from the Research Institute Carlos III, Ministry of
Science and Innovation of Spai
Chaperoned amyloid proteins for immune manipulation: a-Synuclein/Hsp70 shifts immunity toward a modulatory phenotype
α-Synuclein (αSyn) is a 140-residue amyloid-forming protein whose aggregation is linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). It has also been found to play a critical role in the immune imbalance that accompanies disease progression, a characteristic that has prompted the search for an effective αSyn-based immunotherapy. In this study, we have simultaneously exploited two important features of certain heat-shock proteins (HSPs): their classical “chaperone” activities and their recently discovered and diverse “immunoactive” properties. In particular, we have explored the immune response elicited by immunization of C57BL/6 mice with an αSyn/Hsp70 protein combination in the absence of added adjuvant. Our results show differential effects for mice immunized with the αSyn/Hsp70 complex, including a restrained αSyn-specific (IgM and IgG) humoral response as well as minimized alterations in the Treg (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) and Teff (CD4+Foxp3−) cell populations, as opposed to significant changes in mice immunized with αSyn and Hsp70 alone. Furthermore, in vitro-stimulated splenocytes from immunized mice showed the lowest relative response against αSyn challenge for the “αSyn/Hsp70” experimental group as measured by IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion, and higher IL-10 levels when stimulated with LPS. Finally, serum levels of Th1-cytokine IFN-γ and immunomodulatory IL-10 indicated a unique shift toward an immunomodulatory/immunoprotective phenotype in mice immunized with the αSyn/Hsp70 complex. Overall, we propose the use of functional “HSP-chaperoned amyloid/aggregating proteins” generated with appropriate HSP-substrate protein combinations, such as the αSyn/Hsp70 complex, as a novel strategy for immune-based intervention against synucleinopathies and other amyloid or “misfolding” neurodegenerative disorders.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad SAF-2012/39720Junta de Andalucía P10-CTS-6928Junta de Andalucía P11-CTS-816
Smart Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Device for Body Composition Estimation
The purpose of this work is to describe a first approach to a smart bioimpedance
spectroscopy device for its application to the estimation of body composition. The proposed
device is capable of carrying out bioimpedance measurements in multiple configurable frequencies,
processing the data to obtain the modulus and the bioimpedance phase in each of the frequencies,
and transmitting the processed information wirelessly. Another novelty of this work is a new
algorithm for the identification of Cole model parameters, which is the basis of body composition
estimation through bioimpedance spectroscopy analysis. Against other proposals, the main
advantages of the proposed method are its robustness against parasitic effects by employing
an extended version of Cole model with phase delay and three dispersions, its simplicity and
low computational load. The results obtained in a validation study with respiratory patients
show the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed technology for bioimpedance measurements.
The precision and validity of the algorithm was also proven in a validation study with peritoneal
dialysis patients. The proposed method was the most accurate compared with other existing
algorithms. Moreover, in those cases affected by parasitic effects the proposed algorithm provided
better approximations to the bioimpedance values than a reference device.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Instituto de Salud Carlos III) PI15/00306Junta de Andalucía PIN-0394-2017Unión Europea "FRAIL
White matter injury restoration after stem cell administration in subcortical ischemic stroke
Introduction: Despite its high incidence, nerve fiber (axon and myelin) damage after cerebral infarct has not yet
been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate white matter repair after adipose-derived
mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) administration in an experimental model of subcortical stroke. Furthermore, we
aimed to analyze the ADMSC secretome and whether this could be implicated in this repair function.
Methods: An animal model of subcortical ischemic stroke with white matter affectation was induced in rats by
injection of endothelin-1. At 24 hours, 2 × 106 ADMSC were administered intravenously to the treatment group.
Functional evaluation, lesion size, fiber tract integrity, cell death, proliferation, white matter repair markers (Olig-2,
NF, and MBP) and NogoA were all studied after sacrifice (7 days and 28 days). ADMSC migration and implantation
in the brain as well as proteomics analysis and functions of the secretome were also analyzed.
Results: Neither ADMSC migration nor implantation to the brain was observed after ADMSC administration. In
contrast, ADMSC implantation was detected in peripheral organs. The treatment group showed a smaller functional
deficit, smaller lesion area, less cell death, more oligodendrocyte proliferation, more white matter connectivity and
higher amounts of myelin formation. The treated animals also showed higher levels of white matter-associated
markers in the injured area than the control group. Proteomics analysis of the ADMSC secretome identified 2,416
proteins, not all of them previously described to be involved in brain plasticity.
Conclusions: White matter integrity in subcortical stroke is in part restored by ADMSC treatment; this is mediated
by repair molecular factors implicated in axonal sprouting, remyelination and oligodendrogenesis. These findings
are associated with improved functional recovery after strokeThis study was supported by research grants PS12/01754, PI11/00909 and
INVICTUS (RD12/0014) (Spanish Neurovascular Network), SAF2010-37926,
ProteoRed-PT13/0001/0017 and a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship
(CD12/00706, to LOO) from Research Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Science
and Innovation of Spain. We greatly appreciate advice from Prof. Avendaño
and Dr Negredo and we thank ServingMed.com for linguistic assistance.
Furthermore, TS (CP12/03121) and FC (CP14/00154) are recipients of a
research contract from Miguel Servet Program of Instituto de Salud Carlos II
Chaperoned amyloid proteins for immune manipulation: A-synuclein/hsp70 shifts immunity toward a modulatory phenotype
a-Synuclein (aSyn) is a 140-residue amyloid-forming protein whose aggregation is linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). It has also been found to play a critical role in the immune imbalance that accompanies disease progression, a characteristic that has prompted the search for an effective aSyn-based immunotherapy. In this study, we have simultaneously exploited two important features of certain heat-shock proteins (HSPs): their classical ‘‘chaperone’’ activities and their recently discovered and diverse ‘‘immunoactive’’ properties. In particular, we have explored the immune response elicited by immunization of C57BL/6 mice with an aSyn/Hsp70 protein combination in the absence of added adjuvant. Our results show differential effects for mice immunized with the aSyn/Hsp70 complex, including a restrained aSyn-specific (IgM and IgG) humoral response as well as minimized alterations in the Treg (CD4 CD25 Foxp3 ) and Teff (CD4 Foxp3 ) cell populations, as opposed to significant changes in mice immunized with aSyn and Hsp70 alone. Furthermore, in vitro-stimulated splenocytes from immunized mice showed the lowest relative response against aSyn challenge for the ‘‘aSyn/Hsp70’’ experimental group as measured by IFN-g and IL-17 secretion, and higher IL-10 levels when stimulated with LPS. Finally, serum levels of Th1-cytokine IFN-g and immunomodulatory IL-10 indicated a unique shift toward an immunomodulato-ry/immunoprotective phenotype in mice immunized with the aSyn/Hsp70 complex. Overall, we propose the use of functional ‘‘HSP-chaperoned amyloid/ aggregating proteins’’ generated with appropriate HSP-substrate protein combinations, such as the aSyn/Hsp70 complex, as a novel strategy for immune-based intervention against synucleinopathies and other amyloid or ‘‘misfolding’’ neurodegenerative disorders.Financial support was provided by the Carlos III Institute
of Health of Spain (Spanish Ministry of Economy and
Competitiveness) according to the Strategic Action in
Health (CP10/00527 to CR; PI14-01600 to DP) with
co-funding by FEDER funds, the Spanish Ministry of
Economy and Competitiveness (SAF-2012/39720 to CR),
the Andalusian Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation
(P10-CTS-6928 and P11-CTS-8161 to DP) and the
PAIDI Program from the Andalusian Government (CTS-
677 to DP). ALG holds a FPU Predoctoral Fellowship from
the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP-2009/3816). The
works of EJDG and CMD are supported by the Wellcome
Trust, and the UK Medical, and Biotechnological and
Biological Sciences Research Councils
Variables psicológicas implicadas en la actitud e iniciativa emprendedora (II): personalidad, cognición y emoción
El proyecto titulado: Variables implicadas en la actitud e iniciativa emprendedora (II): personalidad, cognición y emoción, es la continuidad de otro presentado en la convocatoria anterior (2016-2017) cuyo objetivo era evaluar variables psicológicas en la actitud emprendedora de los estudiantes universitarios de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). Este segundo proyecto ha tenido por objetivo principal ampliar la evaluación a otras facultades y áreas de conocimiento de nuestra universidad a fin de obtener el mapa y perfil de la iniciativa emprendedora del universitario UCM
Sin / Sense
Sexto desafío por la erradicación de la violencia contra las mujeres
del Institut Universitari d’Estudis Feministes i de Gènere «Purificación Escribano» de la Universitat Jaume