Burning season effects on the short-term post-fire vegetation dynamics of a Mediterranean heathland

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Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome, Endothelial Function and Markers of Endothelialization. Changes after CPAP

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study tries to assess the endothelial function in vivo using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and several biomarkers of endothelium formation/restoration and damage in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome at baseline and after three months with CPAP therapy. DESIGN: Observational study, before and after CPAP therapy. SETTING AND PATIENTS: We studied 30 patients with apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) >15/h that were compared with themselves after three months of CPAP therapy. FMD was assessed non-invasively in vivo using the Laser-Doppler flowmetry. Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) and microparticles (MPs) were measured as markers of endothelial damage and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was determined as a marker of endothelial restoration process. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: After three month with CPAP, FMD significantly increased (1072.26 ± 483.21 vs. 1604.38 ± 915.69 PU, p< 0.005) cf-DNA and MPs significantly decreased (187.93 ± 115.81 vs. 121.28 ± 78.98 pg/ml, p<0.01, and 69.60 ± 62.60 vs. 39.82 ± 22.14 U/μL, p<0.05, respectively) and VEGF levels increased (585.02 ± 246.06 vs. 641.11 ± 212.69 pg/ml, p<0.05). These changes were higher in patients with more severe disease. There was a relationship between markers of damage (r = -0.53, p<0.005) but not between markers of damage and restoration, thus suggesting that both types of markers should be measured together. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy improves FMD. This improvement may be related to an increase of endothelial restoration process and a decrease of endothelial damage

Nebular abundances of southern symbiotic stars

We have calculated relative elemental abundances for a sample of 43 symbiotic stars. Helium abundances and the relative elemental abundances N/O, Ne/O, Ar/O were derived from new spectra collected in the optical range through low dispersion spectroscopy. The He ionic abundances were derived taking into account self-absorption effects in Balmer lines. We found that the symbiotic stars in the galactic bulge have heavy element abundances showing the same wide distribution as other bulge objects. In the galactic disk, the symbiotic stars follow the abundance gradient as derived from different kinds of objects.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, A&A - accepte

Impact of transient correction of increased adrenocortical activity in hypothalamo-damaged, hyperadipose female rats

Objective: To explore the effects of transient correction of enhanced corticoadrenal activity in monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)-damaged female rats on peripheral insulin sensitivity and in vitro retroperitoneal (RP) adipocyte function. Designs: A dose of 4 mg/g body weight (BW) of MSG or vehicle (CTR) was i.p. injected, once every 2 days, between days 2 and 10 of age, in female rats. Intact and 21 day-operated (sham or adrenal enucleation (AE)) rats from both (CTR and MSG) groups were used for experimentation on day 120 of age. Circulating levels of several hormones, in basal and after i.v. high-glucose load conditions, and RP adiposity morphology and function were then evaluated. Results: MSG rats developed increased adrenocortical function, hyperadiposity, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia and decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity. These characteristics were fully reversed after transient correction of corticoadrenal hyperactivity induced by AE. In addition, in vitro experimentation with isolated RP adipocytes indicated that cells from intact MSG animals displayed decreased sensitivity to insulin and dexamethasone stimulation of leptin secretion. Interestingly, adipocyte dysfunction in MSG rats was fully abrogated after AE-induced transient correction of insulinemia, leptinemia and adrenocortical activity. Importantly, the reversion of these metabolic abnormalities, induced by AE for 21 days, in MSG animals did occur, despite no significant changes in BW values. Conclusion: Our results support that the changes in adipocyte characteristics and peripheral insulin resistance, developed in this pseudo-obese female rat model, are mainly due to increased glucocorticoid production. Importantly, appropriate correction of the enhanced adrenocortical activity fully reversed these abnormal functions.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología CelularFacultad de Ciencias MédicasFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Percepción del estudiante de nivel superior hacia los problemas económicos de México: un estudio empírico en el puerto de Veracruz

The aim of this study is to know the perception of university students about economic situation of Mexico. The National Survey GEA-ISA was applied. This survey was previously used in a national study entitled: “Public opinion about economic crisis and Mexican government program”. The survey was administered to 195 university students of different bachelors from Universidad Cristóbal Colón in june 2016. The analysis shows that students perceive that macroeconomic environment is not going to improve soon, but it is getting worse.El propósito central del trabajo es conocer cuál es la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios hacia los problemas económicos del país. Se ocupó el cuestionario que utilizó la Encuesta Nacional GEA-ISA, quien llevó a cabo un sondeo en el 2008, al que denominó “Opinión ciudadana sobre la crisis económica y el programa propuesto por el gobierno mexicano”. La encuesta se aplicó en junio del 2016 en la Universidad Cristóbal Colón, Campus Calasanz, Veracruz, a 195 estudiantes de diversas licenciaturas. El análisis descriptivo arrojó información que hace evidente que los estudiantes no esperan que la situación familiar y macroeconómica del país mejore en el corto plazo, sino que por el contrario, consideran que éstas sufrirán un deterioro

Proteomic characterization of human coronary thrombus in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) initiates with intraluminal thrombosis and results in total occlusion of the coronary artery. To date, characterization of the coronary thrombus proteome in STEMI patients has not been yet accomplished. Therefore, we aimed to perform an in-depth proteomic characterization of the human coronary thrombus by means of three different approaches: 2-DE followed by mass spectrometry (MALDI MS/MS), 1-DE combined either with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in a MALDI TOF/TOF (LC-MALDI-MS/MS), or in a LTQ-Orbitrap (LC-ESI-MS/MS). This approach allowed us to identify a total of 708 proteins in the thrombus. Expression in coronary thrombi (n=20) of 14 proteins was verified, and the expression of fibrin and 6 cell markers (platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, T-cells and B-cells) quantified by selected reaction monitoring (SRM). A positive correlation of 5 proteins (fermitin homolog 3, thrombospondin-1, myosin-9, beta parvin and ras-related protein Rap-1b) with CD41 was found, pointing out the potential activation of a focal adhesion pathway within thrombus platelets. DIDO1 protein was found to correlate negatively with thrombus fibrin, and was found up-regulated in the plasma of these STEMI patients, which may constitute a starting point for further analyses in the search for biomarkers of thrombosis. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proteomic characterization of the human coronary thrombus may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in acute coronary syndrome, and thus pave the road for the identification of new therapeutic targets that may help addressing this and other thrombotic diseases. A novel methodology to characterize thrombus composition and expression of a sub-group of proteins is hereby described, which allowed linking protein expression with cellular and ECM matrix composition of the thrombus. Five proteins (fermitin homolog 3, thrombospondin-1, myosin-9, beta parvin and ras-related protein Rap-1b) co-express within the human coronary thrombus with CD41, pointing out the potential activation of a focal adhesion pathway within thrombus platelets during thrombus formation. Besides, the protein death-inducer obliterator 1, found to be expressed within the human coronary thrombus, has been proved to increase in the plasma of STEMI patients, which constitutes an important starting point for further analyses in the search for biomarkers of thrombosis.This work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI070537, PI11/02239), Fondos Feder, Redes temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa en Salud (RD12/0042/ 0071, RD06/0014/1015), and Fundación para la Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (FISCAM PI2008-08, PI2008-28, PI2008-52). These results are lined up with the Spanish initiative on the Human Proteome Project (SpHPP). The CNIC is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and the Fundacion Pro-CNIC. We would like to thank Dr. Gloria Alvarez-Llamas for her kind suggestions for the manuscript; Gemma Barroso from Proteomic Unit, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, for her help and dedication to this work, as well as Veronica Moral and Ana Gallardo from the same Unit, and TamaraSastre andCarmenBermudez for their technical support.S

Availability of Readable Online Spanish Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measures

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are useful instruments that give providers insight into patients’ experiences with disease by quantifying the symptoms that matter most to patients. Results of these questionnaires can help guide management in chronic rhinosinusitis. However, these tools are often developed for native English speakers, which disadvantages others, who already have a language barrier to care. The aim of this study is to evaluate accessibility and readability of Spanish PROMs used to evaluate rhinosinusitis. Methods: Three Spanish readability measures, Gilliam, Peña & Mountain; SOL; and Fernandez-Huerta were used to evaluate PROMs utilized for rhinosinusitis. PROMs with sixth-grade readability level or easier were considered to meet health literacy recommendations. Results: Four Spanish PROMs utilized in assessment of rhinosinusitis were identified and evaluated. Cuestionario Español de Calidad de Vida en Rinitis (ESPRINT-15) was the most readable PROM and met readability recommendations in two of three measures. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation met suggested levels in one measure. The remainder of readability scores were more difficult than recommended. Conclusion: PROMs are powerful clinical tools that help patients communicate their symptoms and self-advocate. For providers to gain accurate and useful information, these measures should be written at appropriate readability levels. Most Spanish PROMs used for assessment of rhinosinusitis were above recommended readability. Development of future PROMs should ensure appropriate readability levels to provide good patient-centered care for our primarily Spanish speaking patients

Impact of transient correction of increased adrenocortical activity in hypothalamo-damaged, hyperadipose female rats

Objective: To explore the effects of transient correction of enhanced corticoadrenal activity in monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)-damaged female rats on peripheral insulin sensitivity and in vitro retroperitoneal (RP) adipocyte function. Designs: A dose of 4 mg/g body weight (BW) of MSG or vehicle (CTR) was i.p. injected, once every 2 days, between days 2 and 10 of age, in female rats. Intact and 21 day-operated (sham or adrenal enucleation (AE)) rats from both (CTR and MSG) groups were used for experimentation on day 120 of age. Circulating levels of several hormones, in basal and after i.v. high-glucose load conditions, and RP adiposity morphology and function were then evaluated. Results: MSG rats developed increased adrenocortical function, hyperadiposity, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia and decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity. These characteristics were fully reversed after transient correction of corticoadrenal hyperactivity induced by AE. In addition, in vitro experimentation with isolated RP adipocytes indicated that cells from intact MSG animals displayed decreased sensitivity to insulin and dexamethasone stimulation of leptin secretion. Interestingly, adipocyte dysfunction in MSG rats was fully abrogated after AE-induced transient correction of insulinemia, leptinemia and adrenocortical activity. Importantly, the reversion of these metabolic abnormalities, induced by AE for 21 days, in MSG animals did occur, despite no significant changes in BW values. Conclusion: Our results support that the changes in adipocyte characteristics and peripheral insulin resistance, developed in this pseudo-obese female rat model, are mainly due to increased glucocorticoid production. Importantly, appropriate correction of the enhanced adrenocortical activity fully reversed these abnormal functions.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología CelularFacultad de Ciencias MédicasFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Cardiovascular-related proteomic changes in ECFCs exposed to the serum of COVID-19 patients

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection significantly affects the cardiovascular system, causing vascular damage and thromboembolic events in critical patients. Endothelial dysfunction represents one of the first steps in response to COVID-19 that might lead to cardiovascular complications and long-term sequelae. However, despite the enormous efforts in the last two years, the molecular mechanisms involved in such processes remain poorly understood. Herein, we analyzed the protein changes taking place in endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) after the incubation with the serum from individuals infected with COVID-19, whether asymptomatic or critical patients, by application of a label free-quantitative proteomics approach. Specifically, ECFCs from healthy individuals were incubated ex-vivo with the serum of either COVID-19 negative donors (PCR-/IgG-, n:8), COVID-19 asymptomatic donors at different infective stages (PCR+/ IgG-, n:8and PCR-/IgG+, n:8), or hospitalized critical COVID-19 patients (n:8), followed by proteomics analysis. In total, 590 proteins were differentially expressed in ECFCs in response to all infected serums. Predictive analysis highlighted several proteins like CAPN5, SURF4, LAMP2 or MT-ND1, as highly discriminating features between the groups compared. Protein changes correlated with viral infection, RNA metabolism or autophagy, among others. Remarkably, the angiogenic potential of ECFCs in response to the infected serums was impaired, and many of the protein alterations in response to the serum of critical patients were associated with cardiovascular-related pathologies.This study was supported by GLOBALCAJA-Ayuda COVID-19; and Fondo Supera COVID-19, funded by Banco Santander and CRUE universidades, Ref. IPSA-COVID-19, and the Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII (PI18-00427, PI20-00716), co-funded by European Regional Development “A way to make Europe”

Economic Feasibility of Passive Strate gies for Energy Efficient Envelopes of Mass-Built Housing in Hot -Dry Climate

The authors thank the Autonomous University of Baja California and the Master and Doctorate program in Architecture, Urbanism and Design (MyDAUD) for the support provided to carry out this study, the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) for the scholarship provided for the completion of master’s degree studies, as well as the RUBA construction company.The building and construction industry represents 36% of the world’s final energy use and 39% of carbon emissions, while the residential sector is responsible for 22% of total energy consumption and 17% of carbon emissions. Therefore, energy consumption reduction measures are required by this sector, without affecting the living conditions of its occupants. In Baja California, Mexico, the more commonly used construction systems in mass-built housing are concrete block walls and cast in place insulated reinforced concrete roof deck. These systems negatively affect comfort conditions, especially in hot summer periods, and therefore increase energy consumption, particularly in areas with an hot-dry climate, such as Mexicali, Baja California. The objective of this article is to determine the cost-benefit of two passive design strategies applied in the housing envelope, which are thermal insulation and ventilated facade. A commercial model of mass-built housing was taken as a benchmark case. Building energy simulations were carried out with the Design Builder® program, whereby the performance of the house was evaluated without passive design strategies (benchmark case) and with applied strategies, that is, variations in thickness and position of the materials that make up the layers of the walls and roof. Additionally, the net present value (NPV) criterion was used to obtain the costs and benefits of the design strategies. The results show the differences in cooling demand, indoor operative temperature, and the total costs, in Mexican pesos, of the application of the strategies; the results show that there are significant energy savings, which contribute to reducing carbon emissions to the environment and provide economic savings for the user