Neuronas Espejo y Teoría de la Mente en la explicación de la empatía

La empatía es la capacidad de una persona para vivenciar los pensamientos y sentimientos de los otros, reaccionando adecuadamente. Diferenciamos en la empatía dos componentes: cognitivo y emocional. El componente cognitivo comprende los pensamientos y sentimientos del otro. El componente afectivo comparte el estado emocional de otra persona. Comentamos dos teorías para explicar la empatía: las neuronas espejo y la Teoría de la Mente. Las neuronas espejo son un tipo particular de neuronas que se activan cuando un individuo realiza una acción, pero también cuando él observa una acción similar realizada por otro individuo Para la teoría de la mente atribuir mente a otro es una actividad teórica ya que no podemos observar su mente, pero generamos hipótesis sobre lo que está pensando o sintiendo, e interpretamos así su comportamiento. Argumentamos una continuidad genética entre ambas teorías, que se sitúan a nivel explicativo distinto: las neuronas espejo a nivel neuronal (neurociencia básica) y la teoría de la mente en el nivel cognitivo. Mostramos implicaciones de ambas teorías en la comprensión del autismo. [ABSTRACT]Empathy is a person’s ability to experiment other people’s thoughts and feelings and to react to them in an adequate manner. There are two different components within the concept of empathy: cognitive and emotional. The former implies the ability to understand thoughts and feelings of another person; the latter allows the individual to share the mental state of another person responding to his/her demands. We comment here on two theories that explain empathy: the mirror neurons and the Theory of Mind. Mirror neurons are a particular type of neurons which are activated when an individual performs an action, but also when he/she observes a similar action performed by someone else. For theory of mind, to attribute mind to another person is a theoretical activity because we cannot observe his mind, but we generate hypotheses about what he/she is thinking about or feeling, and, in this way, we interpret his/her behaviour. We deduce a genetic continuity between both theories in a different explanatory level: mirror neurons at a neuronal level (basic neuroscience) and theory of mind at a cognitive level. Implications of both theories in the explanation of autism are discussed

Desarrollo de tecnologías proteómicas de última generación aplicadas al estudio del remodelado vascular

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología Molecular. Fecha de lectura: 14-06-2017La mayoría de los trastornos del corazón y de los vasos sanguíneos, implican procesos vasculares como la hipertensión, la restenosis, la ateroesclerosis y el desarrollo de aneurismas abdominales aórticos. Estos procesos tienen como característica estructural común el remodelado vascular, donde las células de músculo liso vascular (VSMC) juegan un papel central. Existen múltiples evidencias que implican a la angiotensina II (AngII) en este proceso, así como a la ruta de señalización calcineurina (CN)/NFAT, y en especial al regulador de calcineurina 1 (RCAN1). Sin embargo, cómo AngII media el remodelado vascular en VSMC en etapas tempranas del proceso, qué rutas de señalización y mediadores moleculares están implicadas, así como con qué otras rutas está conectando RCAN1 en éstas células, son cuestiones que permanecen sin resolver. En la primera parte de este trabajo se ha hecho el estudio más profundo y detallado hasta la fecha del efecto de AngII sobre VSMC a distintos tiempos de tratamiento. Para ello, se ha empleado proteómica cuantitativa combinada con un análisis de biología de sistemas basado en un algoritmo nuevo desarrollado en nuestro laboratorio, denominado Triángulo de Biología de Sistemas (SBT), que ha permitido tener una visión global de las rutas reguladas por AngII en estas células. Además, a diferencia de otros algoritmos ampliamente utilizados por la comunidad proteómica, el SBT permite estudiar los cambios funcionales producidos por la acción coordinada de proteínas. Gracias a este algoritmo se han revelado detalles moleculares sin precedentes de la respuesta proteica temprana de VSMC a AngII. Esta respuesta incluye la activación de proteínas de síntesis, plegamiento, renovación y contracción muscular, consistente con un fenotipo claramente contráctil; a la vez que una inducción de la migración y la represión de la proliferación celular y la secreción. Finalmente, es de destacar que la mayoría de las categorías funcionales alteradas fueron complejos proteicos, redes de interacción o rutas metabólicas. En la segunda parte del trabajo se ha realizado un estudio del conjunto de proteínas que interaccionan con RCAN1 para intentar explicar la resistencia de los ratones Rcan1-/- contra el desarrollo de procesos patológicos de remodelado vascular. Para ello, desarrollamos un nuevo método de adquisición independiente de intensidad iónica (DiS) que incrementa el número de proteínas poco abundantes que somos capaces de identificar debido al gran rango dinámico de las muestras. Utilizando la aproximación DiS nuestros resultados demostraron un notable aumento del rendimiento en la identificación y cuantificación de proteínas en comparación con otras aproximaciones de proteómica masiva y una sensibilidad similar a tecnologías dirigidas como SWATH. La aplicación de la nueva tecnología de adquisición al análisis de inmunoprecipitados de RCAN1 en ratones silvestres y Rcan1-/- en artería bajo estimulación con AngII, reveló que la isoforma inducible RCAN1.4 parece interaccionar con una red de proteínas implicadas en la respuesta temprana de las VSMC además de otras relacionadas con el metabolismo de ácidos grasos de cadena larga, lo que podría explicar la resistencia de los ratones deficientes en Rcan1 a generar enfermedades relacionadas con el remodelado vascular

P73 plays a role in erythroid differentiaion through GATA1 induction

The TP73 gene gives rise to transactivation domain-p73 isoforms (TAp73) as well as ΔNp73 variants with a truncated N terminus. Although TAp73α and -Β proteins are capable of inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation, ΔNp73 acts in many cell types as a dominant-negative repressor of p53 and TAp73. It has been proposed that p73 is involved in myeloid differentiation, and its altered expression is involved in leukemic degeneration. However, there is little evidence as to which p73 variants (TA or ΔN) are expressed during differentiation and whether specific p73 isoforms have the capacity to induce, or hinder, this differentiation in leukemia cells. In this study we identify GATA1 as a direct transcriptional target of TAp73α. Furthermore, TAp73α induces GATA1 activity, and it is required for erythroid differentiation. Additionally, we describe a functional cooperation between TAp73 and ΔNp73 in the context of erythroid differentiation in human myeloid cells, K562 and UT-7. Moreover, the impaired expression of GATA1 and other erythroid genes in the liver of p73KO embryos, together with the moderated anemia observed in p73KO young mice, suggests a physiological role for TP73 in erythropoiesis.Peer reviewe

Retinoic Acid Modulates PTGDR Promoter Activity

[EN] Background and objective: Vitamin A has been linked to the development of allergic diseases although its role is not fully understood, Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of Vitamin A, has been previously associated with the prostaglandin pathway, and PTGDR, a receptor of PGD2, has been proposed as a candidate gene in allergy and asthma. Considering the role of PTGDR in allergy, the goal of this study was to analyze the effect of RA on the activation of the promoter region of the PTGDR gene. Methods: A549 lung epithelial cells were transfected with 4 combinations of genetic variants of the PTGDR promoter and stimulated with all-trans RA (ATRA); luciferase assays were performed using the Dual Luciferase Reporter System, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of PTGDR, CYP26A1, RARA, RARB, RARG, and RXRA in basal A549 cell cultures and after ATRA treatment. We also performed an in silico analysis. Results: After ATRA treatment increased expression of CYP26A1 (12-fold) and RARB (4-fold) was detected. ATRA activated PTGDR promoter activity in transfected cells (P<.001) and RA response element sequences were identified in silico in this promoter region. Conclusions: RA modulated PTGDR promoter activity. Differential response to RA and to new treatments based on PTGDR modulation could depend on genetic background in allergic asthmatic patients.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); Junta de Castilla y León; Fundación Botín-Universidad de Salamanca; Sociedad Española de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica; Fundación Salud 200

YRNAs overexpression and potential implications in allergy

[EN] Background Small non-coding RNAs (snRNAs) develop important functions related to epigenetic regulation. YRNAs are snRNAs involved in the initiation of DNA replication and RNA stability that regulate gene expression. They have been related to autoimmune, cancer and inflammatory diseases but never before to allergy. In this work we described for the first time in allergic patients the differential expression profile of YRNAs, their regulatory mechanisms and their potential as new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Methods From a previous whole RNAseq study in B cells of allergic patients, differential expression profiles of coding and non-coding transcripts were obtained. To select the most differentially expressed non coding transcripts, fold change and p-values were analyzed. A validation of the expression differences detected was developed in an independent cohort of 304 individuals, 208 allergic patients and 96 controls by using qPCR. Potential binding and retrotransponibility capacity were characterized by in silico structural analysis. Using a novel bioinformatics approach, RNA targets identification, functional enrichment and network analyses were performed. Results We found that almost 70% of overexpressed non-coding transcripts in allergic patients corresponded to YRNAs. From the three more differentially overexpressed candidates, increased expression was independently confirmed in the peripheral blood of allergic patients. Structural analysis suggested a protein binding capacity decrease and an increase in retrotransponibility. Studies of RNA targets allowed the identification of sequences related to the immune mechanisms underlying allergy. Conclusions Overexpression of YRNAs is observed for the first time in allergic patients. Structural and functional information points to their implication on regulatory mechanisms of the disease.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; European Regional Development Fund; Junta de Castilla y León; Consolidated Research Unit of Castilla y León; Ramón y Cajal program; FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigació

Prevalence and morbidity of urogenital schistosomiasis among pre-school age children in Cubal, Angola

Morbidity; Urine; SchistosomiasisMorbilidad; Orina; EsquistosomiasisMorbilitat; Orina; EsquistosomiasiBackground: Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases, with a great impact on public health and more than 200,000 deaths annually. Schistosoma haematobium causes urinary tract (UT) morbidity. Since schistosomiasis morbidity control programs focus on children older than 5 years, pre-school age children (PSAC) morbidity is not well known. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Cubal (Angola) among 245 PSAC with the objective of evaluating the prevalence of S. haematobium infection, the intensity of infection, and associated morbidity. For this purpose, urine filtration test followed by microscopic visualization and ultrasound examinations were performed. Results: The estimated overall prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 30.2% (CI 95%; 24.5-35.9), with 20.3% (CI 95%; 15.3-25.3) of the samples analysed showing a high intensity of infection. A total of 54.5% (CI 95%; 47.6-61.8) of infected children presented UT lesions, showing a significant association between schistosomiasis infection and UT morbidity (p-value < 0.001). Bladder wall thickening was the most common lesion, being present in 100% of abnormal ultrasounds. We found that anaemia and severe malnutrition were not significantly associated with the development of UT lesions. Conclusions: S. haematobium infection in PSAC causes great UT detectable morbidities. Therefore, there is an evident need of including them in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns and consequently the development of an adapted praziquantel treatment dosage for children under 2 years of age.This research was supported by the Red de Investigación de Centros de Enfermedades Tropicales–RICET (Grant No. RD16/0027/0023 and RD16/0027/0003) of the PN de I+D+I, ISCIII-Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa RETICS), Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumption; by CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (Grant No. CB21/13/00056 and CB21/13/00029), ISCIII, Spanish Ministry of Science and Education; and by the PROMETEO Program, Programa of Ayudas para Grupos de Investigación de Excelencia, Generalitat Valenciana (Grant No. 2021/004)

Polyurethane Scaffold vs Fascia Lata Autograft for Hip Labral Reconstruction : Comparison of Femoroacetabular Biomechanics

The integrity of the acetabular labrum is critical in providing normal function and minimizing hip degeneration and is considered key for success in today's hip preservation algorithm. Many advances have been made in labral repair and reconstruction to restore the suction seal. To compare the biomechanical effects of segmental labral reconstruction between the synthetic polyurethane scaffold (PS) and fascia lata autograft (FLA). Our hypothesis was that reconstruction with a macroporous polyurethane implant and autograft reconstruction of fascia lata would normalize hip joint kinetics and restore the suction seal. Controlled laboratory study. Ten cadaveric hips from 5 fresh-frozen pelvises underwent biomechanical testing with a dynamic intra-articular pressure measurement system under 3 conditions: (1) intact labrum, (2) reconstruction with PS after a 3-cm segmental labrectomy, then (3) reconstruction with FLA. Contact area, contact pressure, and peak force were evaluated in 4 positions: 90º of flexion in neutral, 90º of flexion plus internal rotation, 90º of flexion plus external rotation, and 20º of extension. A labral seal test was performed for both reconstruction techniques. The relative change from the intact condition (value = 1) was determined for all conditions and positions. PS restored contact area to at least 96% of intact (≥0.96; range, 0.96-0.98) in all 4 positions, and FLA restored contact area to at least 97% (≥0.97; range, 0.97-1.19). Contact pressure was restored to ≥1.08 (range, 1.08-1.11) with the PS and ≥1.08 (range, 1.08-1.10) with the FLA technique. Peak force returned to ≥1.02 (range, 1.02-1.05) with PS and ≥1.02 (range, 1.02-1.07) with FLA. No significant differences were found between the reconstruction techniques in contact area in any position (P >.06), with the exception that FLA presented greater contact area in flexion plus internal rotation as compared with PS (P =.003). Suction seal was confirmed in 80% of PSs and 70% of FLAs (P = .62). Segmental hip labral reconstruction using PS and FLA reapproximated femoroacetabular contact biomechanics close to the intact state. These findings provide preclinical evidence supporting the use of a synthetic scaffold as an alternative to FLA and therefore avoiding donor site morbidity

DigiPatICS: Digital Pathology Transformation of the Catalan Health Institute Network of 8 hospitals—planification, implementation, and preliminary results

Complete digital pathology transformation for primary histopathological diagnosis is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Its advantages are clear with more efficient workflows, but there are many technical and functional difficulties to be faced. The Catalan Health Institute (ICS) has started its DigiPatICS project, aiming to deploy digital pathology in an integrative, holistic, and comprehensive way within a network of 8 hospitals, over 168 pathologists, and over 1 million slides each year. We describe the bidding process and the careful planning that was required, followed by swift implementation in stages. The purpose of the DigiPatICS project is to increase patient safety and quality of care, improving diagnosis and the efficiency of processes in the pathological anatomy departments of the ICS through process improvement, digital pathology, and artificial intelligence tools.This project was funded by European Regional Development Funds, Programa operatiu FEDER de Catalunya 2014–2020 and SA18-014623 DIGIPATICS. UPC activity in this project was partially supported by PID2020-116907RB-I00 and funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033Peer ReviewedArticle signat per 18 autors/es: Jordi Temprana-Salvador (1), Pablo López-García (2), Josep Castellví Vives (1),Lluís de Haro (2), Eudald Ballesta (2), Matias Rojas Abusleme (3), Miquel Arrufat (4), Ferran Marques (5), Josep R. Casas (5),Carlos Gallego (6), Laura Pons (7), José Luis Mate (7), Pedro Luis Fernández (7), Eugeni López-Bonet (8), Ramon Bosch (9), Salomé Martínez (10), Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1), and Xavier Matias-Guiu (11,12) // (1) Department of Pathology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, CIBERONC, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (2) Functional Competence Center, Information Systems, Catalan Health Institute (Institut Català de la Salut), 08006 Barcelona, Spain; (3) Center for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Centre de Telecomunicacions i Tecnologies de la Informació, CTTI), Catalan Health Institute (Institut Català de la Salut), 08006 Barcelona, Spain; (4) Economic and Financial Management, Catalan Health Institute (Institut Català de la Salut), 08006 Barcelona, Spain; (5) Image Processing Group, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (6) Digital Medical Imaging System of Catalonia (SIMDCAT), TIC Salut, 08005 Barcelona, Spain, (7) Department of Pathology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (8) Department of Pathology, Doctor Josep Trueta Hospital of Girona, 17007 Girona, Spain; (9) Department of Pathology, Verge de la Cinta Hospital of Tortosa, 43500 Tarragona, Spain; (10) Department of Pathology, Joan XXIII University Hospital of Tarragona, 43005 Tarragona, Spain; (11) Department of Pathology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, 25198 Lleida, Spain, (12) Department of Pathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, CIBERONC, 08907 Barcelona, SpainPostprint (published version

Taxonomic and functional metagenomic profiling of the microbial community in the anoxic sediment of a sub-saline Shallow Lake (Laguna de Carrizo, Central Spain)

The phylogenetic and functional structure of the microbial community residing in a Ca2+-rich anoxic sediment of a sub-saline shallow lake (Laguna de Carrizo, initially operated as a gypsum (CaSO4 × 2 H2O) mine) was estimated by analyzing the diversity of 16S rRNA amplicons and a 3.1 Mb of consensus metagenome sequence. The lake has about half the salinity of seawater and possesses an unusual relative concentration of ions, with Ca2+ and SO 4 2- being dominant. The 16S rRNA sequences revealed a diverse community with about 22% of the bacterial rRNAs being less than 94.5% similar to any rRNA currently deposited in GenBank. In addition to this, about 79% of the archaeal rRNA genes were mostly related to uncultured Euryarchaeota of the CCA47 group, which are often associated with marine and oxygen-depleted sites. Sequence analysis of assembled genes revealed that 23% of the open reading frames of the metagenome library had no hits in the database. Among annotated genes, functions related to (thio) sulfate and (thio) sulfonate-reduction and iron-oxidation, sulfur-oxidation, denitrification, synthrophism, and phototrophic sulfur metabolism were found as predominant. Phylogenetic and biochemical analyses indicate that the inherent physical–chemical characteristics of this habitat coupled with adaptation to anthropogenic activities have resulted in a highly efficient community for the assimilation of polysulfides, sulfoxides, and organosulfonates together with nitro-, nitrile-, and cyanide-substituted compounds. We discuss that the relevant microbial composition and metabolic capacities at Laguna de Carrizo, likely developed as an adaptation to thrive in the presence of moderate salinity conditions and potential toxic bio-molecules, in contrast with the properties of previously known anoxic sediments of shallow lakes.This research was supported by the Spanish CSD2007-00005 project and FEDER funds. M-E.G. thanks the CSIC for a JAE fellowship.Peer Reviewe

Performance study of graphene oxide as an antierosion coating for ornamental and heritage dolostone

9 figures, 2 tables.-- Supplementary information available.Concern for the perpetuation of stone monuments is deeply ingrained in humans; however, despite the attempts made in this field, there is still a great deal of effort needed to bring about advancements in the conservation of ornamental stone. Erosive agents, such as rain, extreme temperatures, and chemical and biological agents, threaten our stone heritage and gradually wear away buildings, sculptures, and other monuments found all around the world. Limestone and dolostone have been widely used throughout history, given their ease of extraction and workability. Nevertheless, these properties make them particularly vulnerable to the aforementioned erosive agents, for which the main solution at present is costly and time-consuming restoration. Given the scarcity of effective and durable agents to prevent the deterioration of ornamental and heritage stones, and as graphene oxide (GO) has recently shown impressive effectiveness for this task, this work will further explore the viability of GO as a protective coating for monumental dolostone. For this purpose, GO is sprayed over dolostone surfaces by water dispersion with no adjuvants. The coating performance is assessed in terms of thermal stress, optical inspection (structured light 3D scanner), colorimetry, leachate analysis, and electron microscopy. The main results show that spray-coated GO over stone surfaces creates a highly protective and durable barrier without altering their aesthetic qualities.This research received funding from the University of León (ULE-PoC 2018) and Fundación General de la ULE y de la Empresa (FGULEM) under projects 2019/00149/001 and 2020. This research was also funded through an awarded MICINN project (PID2020-120439RA-I00). The authors are also thankful to the “Applied innovation against climate change and other aggressions on stone monuments (PRESERVARTE)” project of the Regional Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Castilla y León, which will be used to complement this research in the future.Peer reviewe