Resolvin D1 Halts Remote Neuroinflammation and Improves Functional Recovery after Focal Brain Damage Via ALX/FPR2 Receptor-Regulated MicroRNAs

Remote damage is a secondary phenomenon that usually occurs after a primary brain damage in regions that are distant, yet functionally connected, and that is critical for determining the outcomes of several CNS pathologies, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The understanding of remote damage-associated mechanisms has been mostly achieved in several models of focal brain injury such as the hemicerebellectomy (HCb) experimental paradigm, which helped to identify the involvement of many key players, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy. Currently, few interventions have been shown to successfully limit the progression of secondary damage events and there is still an unmet need for new therapeutic options. Given the emergence of the novel concept of resolution of inflammation, mediated by the newly identified ω3-derived specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators, such as resolvins, we reported a reduced ability of HCb-injured animals to produce resolvin D1 (RvD1) and an increased expression of its target receptor ALX/FPR2 in remote brain regions. The in vivo administration of RvD1 promoted functional recovery and neuroprotection by reducing the activation of Iba-1+ microglia and GFAP+ astrocytes as well as by impairing inflammatory-induced neuronal cell death in remote regions. These effects were counteracted by intracerebroventricular neutralization of ALX/FPR2, whose activation by RvD1 also down-regulated miR-146b and miR-219a-1-dependent inflammatory markers. In conclusion, we propose that innovative therapies based on RvD1-ALX/ FPR2 axis could be exploited to curtail remote damage and enable neuroprotective effects after acute focal brain damage

Intermittent theta-burst stimulation rescues dopamine-dependent corticostriatal synaptic plasticity and motor behavior in experimental parkinsonism. Possible role of glial activity.

Background: Recent studies support the therapeutic utility of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD), whose progression is correlated with loss of corticostriatal long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Glial cell activation is also a feature of PD that is gaining increasing attention in the field because astrocytes play a role in chronic neuroinflammatory responses but are also able to manage dopamine (DA) levels. Methods: Intermittent theta-burst stimulation protocol was applied to study the effect of therapeutic neuromodulation on striatal DA levels measured by means of in vivo microdialysis in 6-hydroxydopamine-hemilesioned rats. Effects on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity were studied through in vitro intracellular and whole-cell patch clamp recordings while stepping test and CatWalk were used to test motor behavior. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to analyze morphological changes in neurons and glial cells. Results: Acute theta-burst stimulation induced an increase in striatal DA levels in hemiparkinsonian rats, 80 minutes post-treatment, correlated with full recovery of plasticity and amelioration of motor performances. With the same timing, immediate early gene activation was restricted to striatal spiny neurons. Intense astrocytic and microglial responses were also significantly reduced 80 minutes following theta-burst stimulation. Conclusion: Taken together, these results provide a first glimpse on physiological adaptations that occur in the parkinsonian striatum following intermittent theta-burst stimulation and may help to disclose the real potential of this technique in treating PD and preventing DA replacement therapy-associated disturbances

Effect of two tillage systems on the abundance of soil-dwelling arthropods

En Argentina, la producción de cultivos mediante labranzas conservacionistas fue rápidamente adoptada por los productores durante la década del noventa. El tipo y grado de labranza producen modificaciones en el ambiente edáfico que influyen en el comportamiento, desarrollo y sobrevivencia de los artrópodos que habitan en el suelo. Evaluamos el efecto de dos tipos de labranza, labranza cero (SD) y labranza convencional (LC), sobre la densidad y actividad de los artrópodos que habitan en el suelo en distintos momentos, en dos cultivos de soja (vegetativo y reproductivo), un cultivo de maíz (reproductivo) y un rastrojo de soja. Utilizamos dos técnicas de muestreo, trampas de caída para artrópodos epígeos de la superficie del suelo y quadrat samples para artrópodos hipógeos. En general, la densidad de los artrópodos fitófagos-detritívoros y predadores, las arañas y las larvas fitófagas-detritívoras (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera) fue significativamente mayor en cultivos con SD. El tipo de labranza no afectó la actividad de la mayoría de los grupos de artrópodos de la superficie del suelo, pero la actividad de los predadores fue generalmente mayor en LC y la frecuencia de arañas fue superior en SD. La densidad de carábidos no fue afectada por el tipo de labranza, mientras que su actividad y especialmente la de Calosoma spp. fue mayor en LC. Las especies de carábidos mostraron diferencias en su respuesta al tipo de labranza. La tribu Pterostichini (Carabidae) predominó en SD y dentro de ella, Argutoridius bonariensis Dejean estuvo presente sólo en cultivos de soja con SD a través de quadrat samples. Selenophorus alternans Dejean (Carabidae: Harpalini) fue más abundante en LC por ambas técnicas de muestreo. Las diferencias documentadas para las distintas técnicas de muestreo empleadas demuestran la importancia de utilizar métodos relativos y absolutos para evaluar el efecto del manejo del suelo en agroecosistemas sobre las poblaciones de artrópodos. La abundancia relativa de las especies de carábidos colectadas en trampas de caída con respecto a muestras de suelo fue explicada en función del ritmo circadiano y el tamaño de las especies. La evaluación de todas las especies de artrópodos de un ensamble y su clasificación en grupos tróficos brindan información amplia, no sesgada y funcional sobre los efectos del manejo del suelo en agroecosistemas a largo plazo.Crop production by conservation tillage was readily adopted by farmers during the 1990's in Argentina. The type and degree of tillage cause modifications in the soil environment that affect the behavior, development and survival of soil-dwelling arthropods. The effect of conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) on density and activity of soil-inhabiting arthropods was evaluated on different dates, on two soybean crops (vegetative and reproductive stages), one maize crop (reproductive stage) and one soybean fallow. Two sampling methods, pitfall traps, with a preservative solution, for soil surface epigeous arthropods and quadrat samples for hypogeous arthropods, were used. In general, the density of phytophagous-detritivorous and predaceous arthropods, spiders and phitophagous-detritivorous larvae (Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera) was significantly higher in NT crops. The type of tillage did not affect the activity of most epigeous arthropods; but predator activity was generally higher in CT crops and spider frequency was superior in NT. Carabid density was not affected by the type of tillage, whereas their activity and particularly that of Calosoma spp. was greater under CT. Carabids species responded differently to both tillage systems. Pterostichini tribe (Carabidae) predominated in density in SD treatments, while its activity was low under both tillage systems. Argutoridius bonariensis Dejean (Carabidae: Ptrostichini) was only observed on NT soybean crops by quadrat samples. Selenophorus alternans Dejean (Carabidae: Harpalini) was more abundant under CT with both sampling methods. The different results obtained with different sampling methods, show the importance of using absolute and relative methods for assessing the effect of soil management in agroecosystems on arthropods populations. Relative abundance of carabids species in pitfall traps with respect to soil samples was explained by their sizes and circadian rhythms. The evaluation of all arthropods species of an ensemble and their classification in trophic groups provide unbiased, broad and functional information about the long time effects of soil management in agroecosystems

A multi-dimensional framework to evaluate the innovation potential of digital public services: A step towards building an Innovative Public Services Observatory in the EU

This report presents the main findings of a study conducted by KPMG under supervision of JRC and DIGIT as part of the “Innovative Public Services” (IPS) Action of the ISA² Programme. The main outcome of the research is an original multi-dimensional framework for evaluating the interoperability readiness of digital public services. The framework was conceptualised and tested in the context of desk and field research on available evidence to support European Public Administrations willing to embrace new digital technologies and deliver innovative public services according to the four layers of the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) and in alignment with the user centricity principles defined in the Tallinn Declaration (2017). The results of the research show that organisational and legal aspects not only need to support the digital transformation but they must be in its core as an essential part of the next EU Governments Interoperability Strategy, so to guarantee adoption of innovative public services and societal impact. The framework proposed in this report, and validated against a number of concrete cases and promising pilots in EU Member States, serve to evaluate the innovation potential of digital services in terms of their comprehensive interoperability and user-centricity dimensions. It thus pave the way to further assess the potential feasibility to set up an EU Innovative Public Services Observatory (IPSO) as part of the cooperation between the Commission and Member States within the context of the Digital Europe programme.JRC.B.6-Digital Econom

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric otolaryngology: a nationwide study

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly modified the work routine in healthcare; however, its impact on the field of paediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) has been rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric ORL. Methods: A questionnaire was developed by the Young Otolaryngologists of the Italian Society of ORL-Head and Neck Surgery (GOS). The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions related to workplace and personal paediatric ORL activities. The link was advertised on the official social media platforms and sent by e-mail to 469 Italian otolaryngologists. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 118 responders. During the pandemic, the main reduction was observed for surgical activity (78.8%), followed by outpatient service (16.9%). The conditions that were mostly impacted by a delayed diagnosis were respiratory infections in 45.8% of cases and sensorineural hearing loss in 37.3% of cases. Conclusions: Paediatric ORL was highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant reduction of surgical and outpatient activities and a delay in time-sensitive diagnosis. Therefore, the implementation of new strategies, such as telemedicine, is recommended

La salud bucal de tu bebé es tu sonrisa

Introducción: Nuestro proyecto se viene desarrollando en la “Casa del Refugio del ángel, un comedor comunitario del barrio de Tolosa, al que asisten madres gestantes y niños desde los tres meses de edad, de muy escasos recursos. En una propuesta anterior, en época de pandemia por covid, 19, nos habíamos interiorizado de la realidad y necesidades de los concurrentes a la institución, abordando la salud integral a través de la distribución de insumos comestibles y de higiene, folletos informativos para la prevención de enfermedades bucodentales. En esta nueva propuesta, nuestro objetivo fue promover la salud bucal en la población de embarazadas y niños hasta 2 años de edad, ya que pensamos que es necesario inculcar hábitos saludables desde que el niño se está gestando. Es el estos primeros mil días del bebé cuando se desarrollan potencialidades, se forman hábitos perdurables y se previenen enfermedades de la vida adulta.Facultad de Odontologí

Psychological treatments and psychotherapies in the neurorehabilitation of pain. Evidences and recommendations from the italian consensus conference on pain in neurorehabilitation

BACKGROUND: It is increasingly recognized that treating pain is crucial for effective care within neurological rehabilitation in the setting of the neurological rehabilitation. The Italian Consensus Conference on Pain in Neurorehabilitation was constituted with the purpose identifying best practices for us in this context. Along with drug therapies and physical interventions, psychological treatments have been proven to be some of the most valuable tools that can be used within a multidisciplinary approach for fostering a reduction in pain intensity. However, there is a need to elucidate what forms of psychotherapy could be effectively matched with the specific pathologies that are typically addressed by neurorehabilitation teams. OBJECTIVES: To extensively assess the available evidence which supports the use of psychological therapies for pain reduction in neurological diseases. METHODS: A systematic review of the studies evaluating the effect of psychotherapies on pain intensity in neurological disorders was performed through an electronic search using PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Based on the level of evidence of the included studies, recommendations were outlined separately for the different conditions. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 2352 results and the final database included 400 articles. The overall strength of the recommendations was medium/low. The different forms of psychological interventions, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, cognitive or behavioral techniques, Mindfulness, hypnosis, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Interpersonal Therapy, virtual reality interventions, various forms of biofeedback and mirror therapy were found to be effective for pain reduction in pathologies such as musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Central Post-Stroke pain, Phantom Limb Pain, pain secondary to Spinal Cord Injury, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating syndromes, diabetic neuropathy, Medically Unexplained Symptoms, migraine and headache. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological interventions and psychotherapies are safe and effective treatments that can be used within an integrated approach for patients undergoing neurological rehabilitation for pain. The different interventions can be specifically selected depending on the disease being treated. A table of evidence and recommendations from the Italian Consensus Conference on Pain in Neurorehabilitation is also provided in the final part of the pape

Los 1000 días para educar : Parte II

Los mil primeros días de la vida de un niño es el período transcurrido entre la concepción y los dos años de edad; esta etapa se la considera una “ventana de oportunidades” para el futuro desarrollo del niño, por lo que es el momento optimo para promover y estimular sus potencialidades así como para prevenir las distintas enfermedades que puedan desarrollarse en la vida adulta. Esta etapa es la ideal para estimular el buen uso de recursos preventivos, que le permitirá optimizar su crecimiento y mejorar su desarrollo en una sociedad; a nivel odontología disminuir la prevalencia de caries, estimular el crecimiento bucomaxilofacial y disminuir los malos habitos.Facultad de Odontologí

Molecular, pathological, radiological, and immune profiling of non-brainstem pediatric high-grade glioma from the HERBY phase II randomized trial

The HERBY trial was a phase II open-label, randomized, multicenter trial evaluating bevacizumab (BEV) in addition to temozolomide/radiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed non-brainstem high-grade glioma (HGG) between the ages of 3 and 18 years. We carried out comprehensive molecular analysis integrated with pathology, radiology, and immune profiling. In post-hoc subgroup analysis, hypermutator tumors (mismatch repair deficiency and somatic POLE/POLD1 mutations) and those biologically resembling pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma ([PXA]-like, driven by BRAF_V600E or NF1 mutation) had significantly more CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and longer survival with the addition of BEV. Histone H3 subgroups (hemispheric G34R/V and midline K27M) had a worse outcome and were immune cold. Future clinical trials will need to take into account the diversity represented by the term ‘‘HGG’’ in the pediatric population