Human Physiology. Workbook

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Alteraciones vasculares en la insuficiencia renal crónica. Papel del endotelio.

RESUMEN El síndrome urémico resulta de la disminución marcada de la función renal. Este estado mantenido conduce a la insuficiencia renal crónica, que se define como la destrucción progresiva e irreversible de las nefronas. En la insuficiencia renal crónica se dan cita diferentes factores de riesgo cardiovascular, la propia uremia supone un factor de riesgo. La causa principal de morbi-mortalidad en estos pacientes deriva de alteraciones en el sistema cardiovascular. El tratamiento mediante hemodiálisis ha supuesto la prolongación de la vida para estos enfermos, pero a la vez, ha acarreado problemas relacionados con alteraciones cardiovasculares. En la presente tesis se estudian las vías de síntesis de factores endoteliales que pueden estar alteradas por la enfermedad y que pueden ser las responsables, al menos en parte, de las alteraciones vasculares que padecen estos enfermos. Nos centramos en la participación de los factores endoteliales relajantes: prostaciclina, NO y EDHF, observando que la uremia produce una disminución de su síntesis o liberación en respuesta a estímulos vasodilatadores y vasoconstrictores. Las alteraciones vasculares que puede ocasionar el tratamiento con hemodiálisis, ha puesto de manifiesto que aunque disminuye la participación de NO en la respuesta vascular, aumenta la de EDHF. Estos resultados son importantes, pues suponen la aparición de un mecanismo compensatorio, capaz de mejorar la función endotelial. El estudio de la expresión de genes implicados de manera directa o indirecta en la reactividad vascular sugiere que la enfermedad podría tener su origen en un fallo metabólico, puesto que nuestros resultados muestran una menor expresión génica de DDAH-1. Esta enzima es la encargada de metabolizar las toxinas que se acumulan en la uremia y que son inhibidores enzimáticos, causando gran parte de la disfunción vascular y alteraciones neurológicas que aparecen en esta enfermedad. Las modificaciones enzimáticas que hemos observado en la insuficiencia renal crónica podrían ser dianas terapéuticas para mejorar la calidad de vida en estos enfermos. __________________________________________________________________________________________________Uremia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Hemodialysis improves the lifes quality of these patients, but this treatment also produces vascular alterations. We examined the relaxant and contractile response in forearm veins from patients with chronic renal failure before hemodialysis, on chronic hemodialysis and in veins obtained from donors (controls). We study the role of vasodilator prostaglandins (PGI2), nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The contribution of these factores is diminished in chronic renal failure. This effect might contribute to, or even cause, some of the vascular features of this condition. Hemodialysis improves the endothelial function because of an augmented participation of EDHF. The study of gene expression showed a metabolic failure in the enzyme that degrades the uremic toxins. The low expression of this enzyme, dimethylarginine dimethylamino hydrolase (DDAH), could explain some vascular features and could be a therapeuthic strategy for improving lifes quality of these patients

Native species facing climate changes: Response of calafate berries to low temperature and UV radiation

Calafate (Berberis microphylla G. Forst) is a wild bush plant widely distributed in the south of Argentina and Chile. Their blue colored fruits present particular flavor and health benefits attributed to high polyphenol contents biosynthesized by the plant under stress. Studies about correlation of abiotic conditions with anthocyanin profiles and physicochemical features of calafate beneath wild origin environment are not described yet. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the physicochem- ical changes, antioxidant activity and anthocyanin content of calafate fruit in relationship to UV solar radiation (W.m−2) and air temperature (◦C) environment condition during three consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019). Variations in fruit anthocyanins were determined by comparison between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD-ESI)/MSn and CIEL*a*b* colors parameters. Correlations were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA). Radiation was negatively correlated with fruit size and weight. Physicochemical aspects such as pH, soluble solids, color, total anthocyanins, flavanols and other phenolic compounds were positively correlated with temperature changes. The quantities of monomeric anthocyanins were dependent on both low temperature and global radiation (reaching 20.01 mg g−1 FW in calafate fruit). These results constitute a valuable resource to understand the structural and physiological plasticity of calafate in facing climate changes for future domestication research as well as for agri-food industrial application.This work has been supported by FONDECYT grant 1160899 (CONICYT, Chile) and Secretary of Higher Education of Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador (SENESCYT, Ecuador)

Methanogenic, Acidogenic and Hydrolytic activity tests of an anaerobic sludge of municipal wastewater plant

The determination of methanogenic and non-methanogenic activity requires careful analysis because don’t exist a standardized method to find this bioindicator. Therefore, we wanted to evaluate and optimize this analytical method for the characterization of anaerobic sludge. We did five experiments, where we changed variables such as agitation, nutrients supply, measurement time and substrate concentration. We have used 150 ml vials in which they were filled inoculum from anaerobic digester sludge. These vials were introduced in an incubator at 37 ° C, twice in a day we measure the pressure of biogas and the methane production. At the beginning and the end of the experiment, we measure OCD, volatile suspended solids (VSS), pH, and (VFA/AT) ratio. Finally, it was observed that experiment 5 without agitation, with nutrient supply and with seven days of measurement, was the best to obtain a better behavior in all specific activities. The calculation of these activities and the chemical analysis corroborate the previous result that we find in literature

Análisis de la percepción del alumnado ante la metodología de trabajar en grupos tutorizados

[EN] The main objective of this paper is to analyze the opinion and perspective that the students have in view of the methodology of working in tutored groups. This methodology adopted in the teaching-learning process is important for the development of competences. The ability to work in a team and the ability to communicate are very significant transversal competences that have a great impact or potential in student learning. This paper presents an analysis of student assessments collected through anonymous opinions after the elaboration of a tutorial work carried out in a group in the Medicine Degree of the University of Valencia during the years 2015-2016 and 2016- 2017. It is essential to take into account the opinion of the students to adopt measures of teacher improvement, correct or modify the methodology and solve situations arising in the real learning environment. Our conclusion is the students' perspective is very positive and they like the methodology of working in tutored groups.[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la opinión y perspectiva que tiene el alumnado ante la metodología de trabajar en grupos tutorizados. Esta metodología adoptada en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje es importante para el desarrollo de competencias. La capacidad de trabajo en equipo y la capacidad para comunicarse son competencias transversales muy significativas y que tienen un gran impacto o potencial en el aprendizaje del alumno. Se presenta en este trabajo un análisis de las valoraciones del alumnado recogidas mediante opiniones anónimas después de la elaboración de un trabajo tutorizado realizado en grupo en el Grado de Medicina de la Universitat de València durante los cursos 2015-2016 y 2016-2017. Es fundamental tener en cuenta la opinión del alumnado para adoptar medidas de mejora docente, corregir o modificar la metodología y resolver situaciones surgidas en el entorno real de aprendizaje. Nuestra conclusión es que la perspectiva del alumnado es muy positiva que les gusta la metodología de trabajar en grupos tutorizados.Serna, E.; San Miguel, T.; Megias, J.; Mauricio, MD. (2017). Análisis de la percepción del alumnado ante la metodología de trabajar en grupos tutorizados. En In-Red 2017. III Congreso Nacional de innovación educativa y de docencia en red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 999-1008. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2017.2017.6843OCS999100

Gamificación como herramienta docente aplicada a las tutorías de grupo en la Educación Superior

[EN] Our general objective consists in using gamification as a teaching tool in order to get a higher level of students’ involvement in the tutorials, as well as, increasing the motivation to learn Pathophysiology in the Pharmacy Degree. Not all the students groups are uniform, and also the teachers have nonconscious prejudices for each group. Hence, every student group has its own idiosyncrasy. We have the hypothesis that the game can give us really valuable information to let us develop suitable teaching techniques to enhance the motivation for each particular group. Games offers a more relaxed scenario compared to master class or exam, therefore we can ask questions as a team contest that stimulate the comprehension and integration of contents, and at the same time to brainstorm and to learn from mistakes. Games also offers teachers a better interaction with students to reflect on how to motivate each specific group. Our conclusion is, in general terms, that gamification in tutorials let students be more actives in the session. Moreover, for teachers it is an excellent tool to get to know the student’s profile and to find the best way to increase the motivation for learning in each specific group.[ES] El objetivo general del presente trabajo es utilizar la gamificación como herramienta docente para conseguir una mayor implicación del alumnado en las tutorías y aumentar la motivación frente al conocimiento de la asignatura de Fisiopatología en el Grado de Farmacia.No todos los grupos de estudiantes son iguales, y además el profesorado tiene sus prejuicios no conscientes para cada grupo. Nuestra hipótesis de trabajo se basa en que cada grupo tiene su idiosincrasia y a través del juego podemos obtener información muy valiosa que nos permita desarrollar en un futuro técnicas docentes apropiadas para cada grupo de alumnos que hagan resurgir la motivación. Desde el juego, con una perspectiva más relajada comparada con la clase magistral o con el examen, podemos plantear preguntas a modo de concurso por equipos que favorezcan el asentamiento, interiorización e integración de los contenidos, y al mismo tiempo desatar una lluvia de ideas, enseñar a partir del error e interactuar más directamente con los alumnos para reflexionar sobre cómo los docentes podemos motivar y llegar a cada grupo concreto.La conclusión general de este trabajo es que la gamificación en tutorías hace que los alumnos participen activamente en la sesión. Además, desde el punto de vista del profesorado ofrece una herramienta para conocer mejor el perfil de su alumnado y definir la mejor manera en cada caso para aumentar la motivación por la asignatura.Serna García, E.; Pereda, J.; Mauricio, MD.; Pérez, S. (2019). Gamificación como herramienta docente aplicada a las tutorías de grupo en la Educación Superior. En IN-RED 2019. V Congreso de Innovación Educativa y Docencia en Red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 750-758. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2019.2019.10442OCS75075

Contractile responses of human thyroid arteries to vasopressin

Aims: In the present study we investigated the intervention of nitric oxide and prostacyclin in the responses to vasopressin of isolated thyroid arteries obtained from multi-organ donors. Main methods: Paired artery rings from glandular branches of the superior thyroid artery, one normal and the other deendothelised, were mounted in organ baths for isometric recording of tension. Concentration-response curves to vasopressin were determined in the absence and in the presence of either the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP (10−8 M), the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-Larginine (L-NMMA, 10−4 M), or the inhibitor of prostaglandins indomethacin (10−6 M). Key findings: In artery rings under resting tension, vasopressin produced concentration-dependent, endotheliumindependent contractions. The vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP (10−8 M) displaced the control curve to vasopressin 19-fold to the right in a parallelmanner. The contractile response to vasopressinwas unaffected by L-NMMA or by indomethacin. Significance: Vasopressin causes constriction of human thyroid arteries by stimulation of V1 vasopressin receptors located on smooth muscle cells. These effects are not linked to the presence of an intact endothelium or to the release of nitric oxide or prostaglandins. The constriction of thyroid arteries may be particularly relevant in certain pathophysiological circumstances in which vasopressin is released in amounts that could interfere with the blood supply to the thyroid gland

Tuning morphological features of lead iodide by low pressure vapor phase deposition

Lead iodide (PbI2) is a semiconductor with extensive use as an active layer for X-ray detectors and as a precursor for perovskite solar cells. Here we present a low vacuum method to obtain very uniform PbI2 films with full substrate coverage. This method consists in the sublimation of PbI2 inside a hot zone and its transport by an Ar flow to a substrate held at a controlled temperature. Using scanning electron microscopy combined with focused ion beam and X-ray diffraction we studied the morphology and crystallographic structure of the PbI2 films with different deposition parameters: substrate and source evaporation temperature, deposition time and substrate material. At high substrate temperature (80 °C) and low evaporation temperature (310 °C) onto a glass sample, we obtained dense and smooth PbI2 films showing hexagonal crystals, or platelets, stacked parallel to the substrate. The choice of the substrate material has a significant impact on the film morphology yielding porous-like structures with voids within the films for some substrates. A bandgap Eg = 2.42 eV and Urbach energy EU = 34.7 meV were obtained by absorbance measurements, which are comparable to films evaporated in high vacuum. Photoluminescence studies showed a dependence of the emission energies on the crystal orientation of the platelets which grow differently depending on the deposition conditions. The results show the ability of the low pressure vapor phase deposition technique to obtain good film properties, suitable for sensors and optoelectronic devices.Fil: Koffman Frischknecht, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Soldera, Marcos Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Soldera, Flavio Andres. Universitat Saarland; AlemaniaFil: Troviano, Mauricio Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Carlos, Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, María Dolores. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Taretto, Kurt Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; Argentin

Adaptation and Validation of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form in Spanish Subjects

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic complication that negatively affects the quality of life (QoL) of diabetic patients. In Spain, there is no specifically designed and validated instrument to assess the QoL of patients with DFU. Our aim was to adapt the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF) questionnaire to a Spanish population and validate it. A prospective, observational design was used. The DFS-SF was administered by personal interview. The validated SF-36 and EQ-5D generic instruments were used as reference tools. The reliability, validity, and sensitivity to changes were assessed using standard statistical methods. A sample of 141 patients with DFU was recruited. The content validity was 3.46 on average (maximum score of 4). The internal consistency of the DFS-SF subscales showed a standardized Cronbach’s α range between 0.720 and 0.948. The DFS-SF domains showed excellent reproducibility measures (intraclass correlation coefficient from 0.77–0.92). The criterion validity was good with significant correlations between each DFS-SF subscale and its corresponding SF-36 and EQ-5D subscales (p < 0.001). However, the questionnaire structure was not validated (comparative fit index = 0.844, root mean square error of approximation = 0.095, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.093). The instrument showed high sensitivity to ulcer changes over time (p < 0.001). The adapted and validated Spanish version of the DFS-SF questionnaire has good psychometric properties and shows good sensitivity to ulcer changes, although the construct validity was not optimal. The adapted questionnaire will be a useful tool specifically to assess the QoL in subjects with diabetic foot ulcers in the clinical and research settings in Spain.CIBERDEM is an initiative from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Plan Nacional de I + D + I and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional). M.G.-C. held a predoctoral fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, FPU15/03005. This project was developed in the context of the Programme “Doctorat en Medicina de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona”, Autonomous University of Barcelona

Sugammadex, a neuromuscular blockade reversal agent, causes neuronal apoptosis in primary cultures.

Sugammadex, a γ-cyclodextrin that encapsulates selectively steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents, such as rocuronium or vecuronium, has changed the face of clinical neuromuscular pharmacology. Sugammadex allows a rapid reversal of muscle paralysis. Sugammadex appears to be safe and well tolerated. Its blood-brain barrier penetration is poor (< 3% in rats), and thus no relevant central nervous toxicity is expected. However the blood brain barrier permeability can be altered under different conditions (i.e. neurodegenerative diseases, trauma, ischemia, infections, or immature nervous system). Using MTT, confocal microscopy, caspase-3 activity, cholesterol quantification and Western-blot we determine toxicity of Sugammadex in neurons in primary culture. Here we show that clinically relevant sugammadex concentrations cause apoptotic/necrosis neuron death in primary cultures. Studies on the underlying mechanism revealed that sugammadex-induced activation of mitochondria- dependent apoptosis associates with depletion of neuronal cholesterol levels. Furthermore SUG increase CytC, AIF, Smac/Diablo and CASP-3 protein expression in cells in culture. Potential association of SUG-induced alteration in cholesterol homeostasis with oxidative stress and apoptosis activation occurs. Furthermore, resistance/sensitivity to oxidative stress differs between neuronal cell types