Stability analysis of flow structures in hovering using robotic experiments and flow visualizations

We investigate the kinematics and stability of hovering flight making use of a robotic experimental device that simulate the movement of insects or birds. We carried out this analysis based on the characterization of this movement with flow visualizations and particle image velocimetry -PIV-. First, we characterized the kinematics of the robotic device inside water. Therefore, it has been verified that the robotic experiments follow the desired input signal precisely. Second, we give qualitative and quantitative information from the experimental tests as a function of frequency and angular amplitude. The kinematics of the hovering flight produces vortices that are stable or unstable around the rigid flat plate, as well as one transient regime that has been also found between these two latter states. Finally, dimensional velocity field plus associated vorticity have been characterized in these flow regimes through PIV measurements, and we also validated the reproducibility of experiment finding excellent agreement between different set of experiments.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Gene regulation in activated microglia by adenosine A3 receptor agonists: a transcriptomics study

Most neurodegenerative disorders, including the two most common, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (AD), course with activation of microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system. A3 adenosine receptor (A3R) agonists have been proposed to be neuroprotective by regulating the phenotype of activated microglia. RNAseq was performed using samples isolated from lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ activated microglia treated with 2-Cl-IB-MECA, a selective A3R agonist. The results showed that the number of negatively regulated genes in the presence of 2-Cl-IB-MECA was greater than the number of positively regulated genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed regulation of genes participating in several cell processes, including those involved in immune-related events. Analysis of known and predicted protein-protein interactions showed that Smad3 and Sp1 are transcription factors whose genes are regulated by A3R activation. Under the conditions of cell activation and agonist treatment regimen, 2-Cl-IB-MECA did not lead to any tendency to favor the expression of genes related to neuroprotective microglia (M2). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11302-022-09916-9. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Neurodegeneration, Adenosine, Receptors, Microglia, Neuroinflammatio

Targeted Metabolomics Shows That the Level of Glutamine, Kynurenine, Acyl-Carnitines and Lysophosphatidylcholines Is Significantly Increased in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients.

The composition of the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma is relevant to understand the underlying causes of the pathology. Information on the concentration of metabolites and small molecules in the aqueous humor of healthy subjects is limited. Among the causes of the limitations is the lack of healthy controls since, until recently, they were not surgically intervened; therefore, the aqueous humor of patients operated for cataract was used as a reference. Sixteen aqueous humor samples from healthy subjects undergoing refractive surgery and eight samples from glaucoma patients were used to assess the concentration of 188 compounds using chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of 80 of the 188 was found to be reliable, allowing comparison of data from the two groups (glaucoma and control). The pattern found in the controls is similar to, but not the same as, that reported using samples from 'controls' undergoing cataract surgery. Comparing data from glaucoma patients and healthy subjects, 57 of the 80 compounds were significantly (p < 0.05) altered in the aqueous humor. Kynurenine and glutamine, but not glutamate, were significantly increased in the glaucoma samples. Furthermore, 10 compounds were selected considering a statistical score of p < 0.0001 and the degree of change of more than double or less than half. The level of C10 (decanoyl)-carnitine decreased, while the concentration of spermidine and various acyl-carnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines increased in glaucoma. Principal component analysis showed complete segregation of controls and cases using the data for the 10 selected compounds. The receiver operating characteristic curve these 10 compounds and for glutamine allowed finding cut-off values and significant sensitivity and specificity scores. The concentration of small metabolites in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients is altered even when they take medication and are well controlled. The imbalance affects membrane components, especially those of the mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial abnormalities are a cause or consequence of glaucoma. The increase in glutamine in glaucoma is also relevant because it could be a means of keeping the concentration of glutamate under control, thus avoiding its potential to induce the death of neurons and retinal cells. Equally notable was the increase in kynurenine, which is essential in the metabolism of nicotine adenine dinucleotides

Alcance de la responsabilidad penal en la conducta punible de trata de personas bajo consentimiento

Introducción: la ‘Trata de personas’ es conocida como la “esclavitud del siglo XXI”, ya que constituye una violación directa de los derechos humanos, convirtiéndose en un delito de lesa humanidad. En Colombia, atendiendo a esta problemática y al compromiso internacional, se adoptaron diferentes disposiciones legales enmarcando la “Trata de personas” como uno de los delitos que degradan al ser humanoa la condición de un objeto, que se negocia en cadenas mercantiles transnacionales y nacionales. Pero con las variaciones en la estructura dogmática de la conducta punible, es claro que se pueden destacar algunas inconsistencias normativas en el ordenamiento penal colombiano. Método: la presente investigación es cualitativa partiendo de un enfoque Histórico-Hermenéutico con un diseño documental y etnográfico, por medio del estudio y análisis de documentos jurídicos.Resultados: se espera encontrar una interpretación acorde al texto legal, que ayude a superar el vacío jurídico presente. Conclusiones: aún no se obtienen conclusiones, puesto que la investigación se encuentraen curso

Alcance de la responsabilidad penal en la conducta punible de trata de personas bajo consentimiento

Introducción: la ‘Trata de personas’ es conocida como la “esclavitud del siglo XXI”, ya que constituye una violación directa de los derechos humanos, convirtiéndose en un delito de lesa humanidad. En Colombia, atendiendo a esta problemática y al compromiso internacional, se adoptaron diferentes disposiciones legales enmarcando la “Trata de personas” como uno de los delitos que degradan al ser humanoa la condición de un objeto, que se negocia en cadenas mercantiles transnacionales y nacionales. Pero con las variaciones en la estructura dogmática de la conducta punible, es claro que se pueden destacar algunas inconsistencias normativas en el ordenamiento penal colombiano. Método: la presente investigación es cualitativa partiendo de un enfoque Histórico-Hermenéutico con un diseño documental y etnográfico, por medio del estudio y análisis de documentos jurídicos.Resultados: se espera encontrar una interpretación acorde al texto legal, que ayude a superar el vacío jurídico presente. Conclusiones: aún no se obtienen conclusiones, puesto que la investigación se encuentraen curso

Morphophysiological aspects of the digestive tract in IV stage larvae of Bradysia impatiens (Diptera: Sciaridae).

The morphological, cytological and physiological aspects of the digestive tract of the siarid Bradysia impatiens fourth-instar larvae were studied using bright-field microscopy. The division of the digestive tract into the stomodeum (foregut), the mesenteron (midgut) and the proctodeum (hindgut) was observed; the second of which being composed of endocrine, regenerative, column-shaped cells. The larvae did not present a crop; hence digestion of the bolus occurs in the midgut. They have two well-developed gastric caeca, where it can be assumed that great nutrient absorption takes place. The peritrophic membrane is type II, with a pore size that allows the passage of molecules up to 150 kDa, and which divides the midgut into two regions: the endoperitrophic and ectoperitrophic spaces. There are four Malpighian tubules present. The midgut has a pH gradient ranging from mildly alkaline in the foregut to neutral in the caeca and hindgut. It has a recirculation mechanism stretching from the endoperitrophic to the ectoperitrophic space and vice versa, which improves digestion and optimizes enzyme production. The morphophysiological features observed in B. impatiens larvae confirm that these organisms are well-adapted detritivores. Additionally, the peritrophic membrane protects the midgut from pathogenic agents

Targeted Metabolomics Shows That the Level of Glutamine, Kynurenine, Acyl-Carnitines and Lysophosphatidylcholines Is Significantly Increased in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients

The composition of the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma is relevant to understand the underlying causes of the pathology. Information on the concentration of metabolites and small molecules in the aqueous humor of healthy subjects is limited. Among the causes of the limitations is the lack of healthy controls since, until recently, they were not surgically intervened; therefore, the aqueous humor of patients operated for cataract was used as a reference. Sixteen aqueous humor samples from healthy subjects undergoing refractive surgery and eight samples from glaucoma patients were used to assess the concentration of 188 compounds using chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of 80 of the 188 was found to be reliable, allowing comparison of data from the two groups (glaucoma and control). The pattern found in the controls is similar to, but not the same as, that reported using samples from “controls” undergoing cataract surgery. Comparing data from glaucoma patients and healthy subjects, 57 of the 80 compounds were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) altered in the aqueous humor. Kynurenine and glutamine, but not glutamate, were significantly increased in the glaucoma samples. Furthermore, 10 compounds were selected considering a statistical score of p &lt; 0.0001 and the degree of change of more than double or less than half. The level of C10 (decanoyl)-carnitine decreased, while the concentration of spermidine and various acyl-carnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines increased in glaucoma. Principal component analysis showed complete segregation of controls and cases using the data for the 10 selected compounds. The receiver operating characteristic curve these 10 compounds and for glutamine allowed finding cut-off values and significant sensitivity and specificity scores. The concentration of small metabolites in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients is altered even when they take medication and are well controlled. The imbalance affects membrane components, especially those of the mitochondria, suggesting that mitochondrial abnormalities are a cause or consequence of glaucoma. The increase in glutamine in glaucoma is also relevant because it could be a means of keeping the concentration of glutamate under control, thus avoiding its potential to induce the death of neurons and retinal cells. Equally notable was the increase in kynurenine, which is essential in the metabolism of nicotine adenine dinucleotides

La enseñanza en el máster de abogacía a través del análisis de casos reales de carácter multidisciplinar. Aprendizaje "a partir del estudio de razonamientos parciales temáticos"

Generar blog para publicaciones de alumnos del Máster Abogacía, con "entradas" dirigidas. Habría análisis desde varias disciplinas añadiéndose estudios con enfoque basado en otras áreas de conocimiento, generando interdisciplinariedad

Long-Term Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn’s Disease Patients: The SUSTAIN Study

Background Large real-world-evidence studies are required to confirm the durability of response, effectiveness, and safety of ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients in real-world clinical practice. Methods A retrospective, multicentre study was conducted in Spain in patients with active CD who had received ≥1 intravenous dose of ustekinumab for ≥6 months. Primary outcome was ustekinumab retention rate; secondary outcomes were to identify predictive factors for drug retention, short-term remission (week 16), loss of response and predictive factors for short-term efficacy and loss of response, and ustekinumab safety. Results A total of 463 patients were included. Mean baseline Harvey-Bradshaw Index was 8.4. A total of 447 (96.5%) patients had received prior biologic therapy, 141 (30.5%) of whom had received ≥3 agents. In addition, 35.2% received concomitant immunosuppressants, and 47.1% had ≥1 abdominal surgery. At week 16, 56% had remission, 70% had response, and 26.1% required dose escalation or intensification; of these, 24.8% did not subsequently reduce dose. After a median follow-up of 15 months, 356 (77%) patients continued treatment. The incidence rate of ustekinumab discontinuation was 18% per patient-year of follow-up. Previous intestinal surgery and concomitant steroid treatment were associated with higher risk of ustekinumab discontinuation, while a maintenance schedule every 12 weeks had a lower risk; neither concomitant immunosuppressants nor the number of previous biologics were associated with ustekinumab discontinuation risk. Fifty adverse events were reported in 39 (8.4%) patients; 4 of them were severe (2 infections, 1 malignancy, and 1 fever). Conclusions Ustekinumab is effective and safe as short- and long-term treatment in a refractory cohort of CD patients in real-world clinical practice