From Mouse To Human : Comparative Analysis Between Grey And White Matter By Synchrotron-Fourier Transformed Infrared Microspectroscopy

Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy (μFTIR) is a very useful method to analyze the biochemical properties of biological samples in situ. Many diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) have been studied using this method, to elucidate alterations in lipid oxidation or protein aggregation, among others. In this work, we describe in detail the characteristics between grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) areas of the human brain by μFTIR, and we compare them with the mouse brain (strain C57BL/6), the most used animal model in neurological disorders. Our results show a clear different infrared profile between brain areas in the lipid region of both species. After applying a second derivative in the data, we established a 1.5 threshold value for the lipid/protein ratio to discriminate between GM and WM areas in non-pathological conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated intrinsic differences of lipids and proteins by cerebral area. Lipids from GM present higher C=CH, C=O and CH3 functional groups compared to WM in humans and mice. Regarding proteins, GM present lower Amide II amounts and higher intramolecular β-sheet structure amounts with respect to WM in both species. However, the presence of intermolecular β-sheet structures, which is related to β-aggregation, was only observed in the GM of some human individuals. The present study defines the relevant biochemical properties of non-pathological human and mouse brains by μFTIR as a benchmark for future studies involving CNS pathological samples

Texturas evolutivas en la introducción de nuevos alimentos: un acercamiento teórico

Nowadays, there is a debate about the best method to choose to start feeding the infant. The models analyzed to carry out the feeding are: the modified textured feeding directed by the parents or caregivers and the feeding with minimally modified texture directed by the baby such as the baby-led weaning (BLW) and baby lead introduction to solids (BLISS) methods. The purpose of this document is to help, from a theoretical point of view, in the debate on the possible textures to be used at any time, taking into account different factors, such as: digestive development, dentition rhythm, chewing evolution, psychomotor skills and prevention of suffocation or choking. In the text, the textures that are used in all the methods are classified, according to the items that have been studied, so that later they can be used as an orientation guide according to ages in healthy babies and with a growth within the percentiles. Based on the most current scientific evidence found and prioritizing the precautionary principle, the theoretical approach to the problem adds nuances to be taken into account in the empirical evaluation. More studies and higher quality are required to identify differences in the impact of the use of different textures and food practices.En la actualidad, existe un debate sobre el mejor método a elegir para iniciar la alimentación del lactante. Los modelos analizados para llevar a cabo la alimentación son: la alimentación con textura modificada dirigida por los padres o cuidadores y la alimentación con textura mínimamente modificada y dirigida por el bebé como los métodos baby-led weaning (BLW) y baby lead introduction to solids (BLISS). Este documento, tiene como finalidad ayudar, desde el punto de vista teórico, en el debate sobre las posibles texturas a utilizar en cada momento, atendiendo a diferentes factores, como son: el desarrollo digestivo, el ritmo de dentición, la evolución de la masticación, las habilidades psicomotoras y la prevención de asfixia o atragantamiento. En el texto, se clasifican las texturas que se usan en todos los métodos, según los ítems que se han estudiado, para que posteriormente puedan ser usadas como una guía orientativa según edades en bebés sanos y con un crecimiento dentro de los percentiles. Teniendo como base la evidencia científica más actual encontrada y primando el principio de precaución, el acercamiento teórico al problema añade matices a tener en cuenta en la evaluación empírica. Se requieren más estudios y de mayor calidad para identificar diferencias en el impacto del uso de diferentes texturas y prácticas alimentarias

Perceived contributions of multifunctional landscapes to human well-being : Evidence from 13 European sites

Multifunctional landscapes provide critical benefits and are essential for human well-being. The relationship between multifunctional landscapes and well-being has mostly been studied using ecosystem services as a linkage. However, there is a challenge of concretizing what human well-being exactly is and how it can be measured, particularly in relation to ecosystem services, landscape values and related discussions. In this paper, we measure self-reported well-being through applying an inductive free-listing approach to the exploration of the relationships between landscape multifunctionality and human well-being across 13 rural and peri-urban sites in Europe. We developed a face-to-face online survey (n = 2,301 respondents) integrating subjective perceptions of well-being (free-listing method) with mapping perceived ecosystem service benefits (Public Participation GIS, PPGIS approach). Applying content analysis and diverse statistical methods, we explore the links between well-being (i.e. perceived well-being items such as tranquillity, social relations and health) and social-ecological properties (i.e. respondents' sociocultural characteristics and perception of ecosystem service benefits). We identify 40 different well-being items highlighting prominently landscape values. The items form five distinct clusters: access to services; tranquillity and social capital; health and nature; cultural landscapes; and place attachment. Each cluster is related to specific study sites and explained by certain social-ecological properties. Results of our inductive approach further specify pre-defined conceptualizations on well-being and their connections to the natural environment. Results suggest that the well-being contributions of multifunctional landscapes are connected to therapeutic well-being effects, which are largely neglected in the ecosystem services literature. Our results further point to the context-specific character of linkages between landscapes and human well-being. The clusters highlight that landscape-supported well-being is related to multiple interlinked items that can inform collective visions of well-being in the future. For landscape planning and management, we highlight the need for place-specific analysis and consideration of perceptions of local people to identify the contributions to their well-being. Future research would benefit from considering the experiential qualities of value and well-being as they relate to direct experiences with the landscape and wider psychological needs, specifically over time. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.Peer reviewe

Insights into Structure-Activity Relationships of Somatostatin Analogs Containing Mesitylalanine.

The non-natural amino acid mesitylalanine (2,4,6-trimethyl-L-phenylalanine; Msa) has an electron-richer and a more conformationally restricted side-chain than that of its natural phenylalanine counterpart. Taking these properties into account, we have synthesized ten somatostatin analogs containing Msa residues in different key positions to modify the intrinsic conformational flexibility of the natural hormone. We have measured the binding affinity of these analogs and correlated it with the main conformations they populate in solution. NMR and computational analysis revealed that analogs containing one Msa residue were conformationally more restricted than somatostatin under similar experimental conditions. Furthermore, we were able to characterize the presence of a hairpin at the pharmacophore region and a non-covalent interaction between aromatic residues 6 and 11. In all cases, the inclusion of a D-Trp in the eighth position further stabilized the main conformation. Some of these peptides bound selectively to one or two somatostatin receptors with similar or even higher affinity than the natural hormone. However, we also found that multiple incorporations of Msa residues increased the life span of the peptides in serum but with a loss of conformational rigidity and binding affinity

Indicators for relational values of nature’s contributions to good quality of life:The IPBES approach for Europe and Central Asia

Relational values are values of desirable relationships between people and nature and among people (through nature). We report on the approach to capture relational values of nature s contributions to people in the regional assessment for Europe and Central Asia of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). We present a framework considering indicators along four relational value dimensions about people s relationships with nature: security and sovereignty; health; equity and justice; and heritage, social identity and stewardship. The framework has been operationalized for three nature s contributions to people (NCP): regulation of freshwater quality and quantity, food and feed, and physical and psychological experiences derived from nature. We identify ways to empirically assess relational values of nature s contributions to people at regional and continental scales with social-ecological indicators and proxies, ranging from biophysical indicators to indicators that intersect socio-economic with biophysical data. We conclude that many of the identified indicators can be considered as useful proxies of relational values in a quantitative way. The analysis shows that relational values are essential to consider at the science-policy interface as they are an important set of values that people hold about nature and that go beyond instrumental relations. © 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group