Evaluation of neuroinflammation as modulator of tau aggregation in response to repetitive mild traumatic brain injury

The pathological misfolding and aggregation of hyper-phosphorylated tau (ptau) protein in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) is the main hallmark of a group of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. These include important disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Mounting evidence supports that the aggregation and deposition of misfolded proteins is an early event in the development of AD and CTE. Several studies uphold traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an important risk factor for both disorders, since there is a relationship between TBI severity and frequency, and the vulnerability to develop dementia. Importantly, individuals affected by TBI show elevated levels of ptau in cerebrospinal fluid and NFTs in specific brain areas. Although previous studies on tau mice subjected to TBI show increased ptau burden, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been explored. Besides, previous research neither recapitulate the effects of repetitive mild TBI (rmTBI), reported to lead to long-lasting neurological consequences. Acute and chronic inflammation are intimately associated to TBI events, but its role on tau aggregation over time remains unknown. Here, we analyze the neuroinflammatory response, at both short- and long-term, in transgenic tau mice after rmTBI. Our data suggest that rmTBI triggers microglia and astroglia activation and that they may be involved in the increase observed on tau pathology in concussed mice. This could indicate that neuroinflammation could have an active role in the increased risk to develop tauopathies after brain concussion.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Crosslinked electrospun zein-based food packaging coatings containing bioactive chilto fruit extracts

peer-reviewedIn this work, zein fibers loaded with phenolic-enriched extracts from pulp, seed and skin of orange chilto were collected on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) films through the electrospinning technique, for their potential use as bioactive internal coatings for food packaging applications. The zein fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The water stability of the zein fibers was improved by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde vapors. The encapsulation efficiency of all bioactive phenolic-enriched extracts was greater than 90%. Encapsulation in the zein fibers improved the thermostability of the extracts. Two food simulants (50% ethanol and 3% acetic acid) were used to evaluate the release of the extracts from the crosslinked zein fibers. It was observed that crosslinking delayed the release of phenolic compounds (rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and its derivates) in both solvents (80% released after 7 days of contact in 50% ethanol and 23 days in 3% acetic acid) and their antioxidant properties were kept. Therefore, this work demonstrates the potential of the developed zein-based encapsulation structures containing chilto extracts to be applied as antioxidant coatings in food packaging structures to contribute to the preservation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic food products

Late-life depression is able to accelerate learning and memory impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer´s disease

Clinical studies suggest that depression could be considered an important risk factor for the future development of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In fact, there is a strong association between late-life depression and AD. The age of AD onset has been shown to be accelerated in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with a history of depression, and women appear to be particularly more vulnerable to this condition. In addition, individuals with MCI who present depressive symptoms have an elevated burden of amyloid-beta (Aβ), the main toxic protein associated with Alzheimer's pathology, and a higher risk of developing AD compared to non-depressed MCI patients. Although it has been described that some transgenic models of AD can develop signs similar to depression in advanced stages, the induction of Alzheimer's pathology due to a depressive process has not been studied under experimental conditions to emulate late-life depression as a risk factor for AD. The objective of this study is to determine, by inducing unpredictable mild chronic stress (CUMS) in tau transgenic P301S mice, whether depression is a cause, rather than a consequence, of AD development. The results of our study indicate that the induction of CUMS in transgenic animals induces phenotypic changes related to a depressive state. Behavioral and histological studies suggest that depression-like induction can worse AD pathology. The findings generated in this project could provide evidence of depression as a risk factor for AD

The influence of history of severe periodontitis on estimated long-term marginal bone loss around implants restored with fixed segmented full-arch rehabilitation

The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term marginal bone level (MBL) of implants supporting fixed full-arch restoration in patients who had previously lost their dentition due to severe periodontitis. This retrospective study included 35 patients in whom 342 implants with internal tapered conical connections were placed. MBL was analyzed radiographically over time and a long-term estimation of MBL was calculated. A mixed linear model with abutment height, graft, diameter and location (maxilla/mandible) as factors and gender, age, implant length and prosthetic variables as covariates was used to evaluate the influence on MBL. MBL in these patients showed an estimator of predictions at 4108 days after loading of −0.307 mm, SE = 0.042. Only 0.15% of implants were radiographically affected with MBL of 3 mm or more. The mixed linear model results showed a main effect of the type of opposing dentition, gender, implant diameter, and abutment height. Particularly, an abutment height of 1 mm had associated larger MBL than the remaining heights. Thus, it can be concluded that dental implants restored with fixed segmented full-arch rehabilitation in patients with a history of severe periodontal disease do not suffer important marginal bone loss if some specific factors are considered, mainly the use of long transmucosal abutments (≥2 mm).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cystic fibrosis: A cross-sectional multicenter study in Spain. New waves, new knowledge

COVID-19; Pediatria; VacunacióCOVID-19; Pediatría; VacunaciónCOVID-19; Pediatrics; VaccinationIntroduction The association between viral infections and pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis (cwCF) is well established. However, the question of whether cwCF are at a higher risk of COVID-19 or its adverse consequences remains controversial. Methods We conducted an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study of cwCF infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) between March 2020 and June 2022, (first to sixth COVID-19 pandemic waves) in Spain. The study aimed to describe patients' basal characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 clinical manifestations and outcomes, and whether there were differences across the pandemic waves. Results During study time, 351 SARS-CoV2 infections were reported among 341 cwCF. Median age was 8.5 years (range 0–17) and 51% were female. Cases were unevenly distributed across the pandemic, with most cases (82%) clustered between November 2021 and June 2022 (sixth wave, also known as Omicron Wave due to the higher prevalence of this strain in that period in Spain). Most cwCF were asymptomatic (24.8%) or presented with mild Covid-19 symptoms (72.9%). Among symptomatic, most prevalent symptoms were fever (62%) and increased cough (53%). Infection occurring along the sixth wave was the only independent risk factor for being symptomatic. Just eight cwCF needed hospital admission. No multisystem inflammatory syndrome, persisting symptoms, long-term sequelae, or deaths were reported. Conclusions Spanish current data indicate that cwCF do not experience higher risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection nor worse health outcomes or sequelae. Changes in patients' basal characteristics, clinical courses, and outcomes were detected across waves. While the pandemic continues, a worldwide monitoring of COVID-19 in pediatric CF patients is needed

El juego didáctico como estrategia para fortalecer la competencia léxica en ingles de los estudiantes adultos de grado sexto del colegio miguel Antonio Caro

El presente proyecto centra la atención en la inclusión de juegos didácticos en la planeación de clase con el propósito de fortalecer la competencia léxica de los estudiantes adultos del Grado Sexto del Colegio Miguel Antonio Caro.This project focuses on the inclusion of educational games in planning class with the purpose of strengthening the lexical competence of adult learners Sixth Grade School Miguel Antonio Caro

Farmacovigilancia, Programa en Relación al Riesgo/ Beneficio con Respecto al Uso De Medicamentos Y Tratamientos Clínicos

Elaboración de un programa de Farmacovigilancia a un hospital de bajo nivel de complejidadDevelopment of a pharmacovigilance program for a hospital with a low level of complexit

Disrupted functional connectivity in adolescent obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Obesity has been associated with brain alterations characterised by poorer interaction between a hypersensitive reward system and a comparatively weaker prefrontal-cognitive control system. These alterations may occur as early as in adolescence, but this notion remains unclear, as no studies so far have examined global functional connectivity in adolescents with excess weight. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We investigated functional connectivity in a sample of 60 adolescents with excess weight and 55 normal weight controls. We first identified parts of the brain displaying between-group global connectivity differences and then characterised the extent of the differences in functional network integrity and their association with reward sensitivity. RESULTS: Adolescent obesity was linked to neuroadaptations in functional connectivity within brain hubs linked to interoception (insula), emotional memory (middle temporal gyrus) and cognitive control (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) (pFWE < 0.05). The connectivity between the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex was reduced in comparison to controls, as was the connectivity between the middle temporal gyrus and the posterior cingulate cortex and cuneus/precuneus (pFWE < 0.05). Conversely, the middle temporal gyrus displayed increased connectivity with the orbitofrontal cortex (pFWE < 0.05). Critically, these networks were correlated with sensitivity to reward (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that adolescent obesity is linked to disrupted functional connectivity in brain networks relevant to maintaining balance between reward, emotional memories and cognitive control. Our findings may contribute to reconceptualization of obesity as a multi-layered brain disorder leading to compromised motivation and control, and provide a biological account to target prevention strategies for adolescent obesity

Electrosprayed Chitosan Microcapsules as Delivery Vehicles for Vaginal Phytoformulations

The design of novel delivery systems to treat vaginal fungalinfections is a topic of high interest. Chitosan, being itselfantimicrobial and having good mucoadhesive properties, is an excellentcandidate as a delivery matrix for active compounds. In this work,chitosan microcapsules containing dry extracts of Argentinean medicinalplants with proved biological properties (Larrea divaricata, L.cuneifolia, L. nitida, Zuccagnia punctata and Tetraglochin andina) weredeveloped through electrospraying and compared with conventionally usedtablets containing the same extracts. Total phenolics(spectrophotometry), morphology and particle size (SEM), molecularorganization (FT-IR spectroscopy), water sorption capacity, release ofbioactive compounds (BC) and biological properties were assessed. Theencapsulation process did not degrade the BC, as antioxidant andantifungal capacity remained unchanged. The FT-IR analysis suggestedinteractions via hydrogen bonding or hydrophobic interactions between thechitosan and the extracts, which explained why the microcapsules kept theintegrity in slightly acidic media. Increased solubility of the extractswhen incorporated in the microcapsules was seen in simulated vaginalfluid, potentially increasing the bioavailability of BC in the vaginalenvironment. This work highlights the potential of the chitosan-baseddelivery systems for phytomedicines with antifungal and antioxidantactivity to be used in vulvovaginal candidiasis.Fil: Moreno, María Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Gómez Mascaraque, Laura Gómez. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos; EspañaFil: Arias, Myriam Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Zampini, Iris Catiana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Sayago, Jorge Esteban. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Liudis Leidy Pino. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: Schmeda Hirschmann, Guillermo. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: Lopez Rubio, Amparo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos; EspañaFil: Isla, Maria Ines. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Bioprospección y Fisiología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos; España. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentin

Improvement of cardiometabolic markers after fish oil intervention in young Mexican adults and the role of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in fish oil (FO) are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) that may induce changes in cardiometabolic markers. Variation in PPAR genes may influence the beneficial responses linked to FO supplementation in young adults. The study aimed to analyze the effect of FO supplementation on glucose metabolism, circulating lipids and inflammation according to PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A genotypes in young Mexican adults. 191 young, non-smoking subjects between 18 and 40 years were included in a one-arm study. Participants were supplemented with 2.7 g/day of EPA+DHA, during six weeks. Dietary analysis, body composition measurements and indicators for glucose metabolism, circulating lipids, and markers for inflammation were analyzed before and after intervention. An overall decrease in triglycerides (TG) and an increase in HS-ω3 index were observed in all subjects [-4.1 mg/dL, (SD:±51.7), P=.02 and 2.6%, (SD:±1.2), P\u3c.001 respectively]. Mean fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) were significantly decreased in all subjects [-0.547mlU/L, (SD:±10.29), P=.034 and-0.07%, (SD:±0.3), P\u3c.001 respectively], whereas there was no change in body composition, fasting glucose, adiponectin and inflammatory markers. Subjects carrying the minor alleles of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A had higher responses in reduction of TG and fasting insulin respectively. Interestingly, doses below 2.7 g/day (1.8 g/day) were sufficient to induce a significant reduction in fasting insulin and HbA1c% from baseline (P=.019 and P\u3c.001). The observed responses in triglycerides and fasting insulin in the Mexican population give further evidence of the importance of FO supplementation in young people as an early step towards the prevention of cardiometabolic disease. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02296385