Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation produces a tissue recovery in hydrocephalic mice

In congenital hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulation is associated to ischemia/hypoxia, metabolic impairment, neuronal damage and astrocytic reaction, which cause significant mortality and life-long neurological complications. Currently, there are no effective therapies for congenital hydrocephalus. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) are considered as a potential therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases due to their ability for migrating and producing neuroprotector factors when they are transplanted. The aim of this research was to study the ability of BM-MSC to reach the degenerated regions and to detect their neuroprotector effects, using an animal model of congenital hydrocephalus, the hyh mouse. Fluorescent BM-MSC were analyzed by flow-cytometry and multilineage cell differentiation. BM-MSC were brain-ventricle injected into hyh mice. Wild-type and saline-injected hyh mice were used as controls. Inmunohistochemical, RT-PCR and High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning spectroscopy (HRMAS) analyses were carried out. After administration, integrated BM-MSC were identified inside the periventricular astrocyte reaction. They were detected producing glial-derived neuroprotector factor (GDNF), neural growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neuroprotector factor (BDNF). Tissue recovery was detected with a reduction of apoptotic cells in the periventricular walls and of the levels of glutamate, glutamine, taurine, and creatine, all of them markers of tissue damage in hydrocephalus.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. ISCIII PI15/00619 y FEDE

Brain tissue recovery in obstructive congenital hydrocephalus after intraventricular transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) are a potential therapeutic tool due to their ability for migrating and producing neuroprotector factors when transplanted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-time effects of a BM-MSC experimental therapy in the hyh mouse model with severe obstructive hydrocephalus. Methods: BM-MSC were characterized in vitro and then injected into the ventricles of hyh mice. Wild-type and saline-injected hyh mice were used as controls. Samples were studied by analyzing and comparing mRNA, protein and metabolites level expression in control and damaged tissue. Results: Undifferentiated BM-MSC were found to: i) spread into the periventricular astrocyte reaction region after four days post-injection, and, ii) be producing neuroprotector factors (GDNF and VEGF). Astrocytes located in periventricular edematous region increased their aquaporin-4 expression, as well as Slit2 expression (neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory molecule). There was also a significant reduction of osmolytes such as taurine and neuroexcytotoxic glutamate. Halved apoptotic cell death was detected in the periventricular walls. Conclusions: BM-MSC lead to recovery of the severe neurodegenerative conditions associated to congenital hydrocephalus mediated by reactive astrocytes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Supported by Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech, and PI15/0619 (ISCIII/FEDER)

Factores de absentismo a clases, referidos por los estudiantes del plan de formación innovado de la carrera de enfermería, durante el primer semestre año 2015

Tesis para optar al grado de magíster en educación en ciencias de la saludEl absentismo a clases es un problema a nivel universitario, lo que preocupa sobre todo cuando se enfrenta a los cambios que se han realizado en el ámbito curricular, un nuevo modelo que propone un aprendizaje centrado en el estudiante, con autonomía, compromiso y responsabilidad en su proceso de aprendizaje, situación que puede impactar no solo en el ámbito educacional sino también en el espacio social, económico y personal de los estudiantes. Esta investigación, a través de un cuestionario validado, indaga en los factores que refieren 106 estudiantes de enfermería del primer a tercer nivel, para no asistir a clases, considerando aspectos socios demográficos, los relacionados con la docencia que se imparte, la organización de los estudios y aspectos personales y familiares. De acuerdo a estos, se relacionan los principales resultados respecto al grupo de estudiantes que trabajan y no trabajan. Los resultados muestran que los principales factores de absistencia a clases son la sobrecarga de horario, que tienen que estudiar demasiado, la sobrecarga de informes por escrito, no duermen bien, necesitan tiempo para otros cursos y los aspectos metodológicos relacionados con la docencia que se imparte. De la relación realizada respecto al grupo de estudiantes que trabajan y no trabajan, se encuentra solamente una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, en la tabla número dos “no asisto a clases…se entregan demasiados contenidos”. Lo anterior será información relevante para futuras propuestas de mejora de este proceso educativo, y para continuar con investigaciones profundizando según resultados obtenidos. Palabras claves: absentismo, estudios universitarios, educación, sobrecarga académica.Absenteeism to classes is a problem at university level, which is especially worrying when faced with changes that have been made in the curriculum, a new model that proposes student-centered learning, with autonomy, commitment and responsibility in Its learning process, a situation that can impact not only in the educational field but also in the social, economic and personal space of students. This research, through a validated questionnaire, investigates the factors that refer 106 nursing students from the first to the third level, not attending classes, considering aspects demographic partners, those related to the teaching that is taught, the organization of Studies and personal and family aspects. According to these, the main results are related to the group of students who work and do not work. The results show that the main absenteeism factors are time overload, they have to study too much, written reports overload, do not sleep well, need time for other courses and the methodological aspects related to the teaching imparted . There is only one statistically significant difference in the relation between the group of students who work and do not work, in table number two "I do not attend classes because too many contents are given”. The foregoing will be relevant information for future proposals to improve this educational process, and to continue with research in depth according to results obtained. Keywords: absenteeism, university studies, education, academic overload

Novel Iron(II) Microporous Spin-Crossover Coordination Polymers with Enhanced Pore Size

In this Communication, we report the synthesis and characterization of novel Hofmann-like spin-crossover porous coordination polymers of composition {Fe­(L)­[M­(CN)₄]}·G [L = 1,4-bis­(4-pyridylethynyl)­benzene and M^II = Ni, Pd, and Pt]. The spin-crossover properties of the framework are closely related to the number and nature of the guest molecules included in the pores

Novel Iron(II) Microporous Spin-Crossover Coordination Polymers with Enhanced Pore Size

In this Communication, we report the synthesis and characterization of novel Hofmann-like spin-crossover porous coordination polymers of composition {Fe­(L)­[M­(CN)₄]}·G [L = 1,4-bis­(4-pyridylethynyl)­benzene and M^II = Ni, Pd, and Pt]. The spin-crossover properties of the framework are closely related to the number and nature of the guest molecules included in the pores

Tunable Dirac Electron and Hole Self-Doping of Topological Insulators Induced by Stacking Defects

Via density functional theory based calculations we show that self-doping of the surface Dirac cones in three-dimensional Bi₂X₃ (X = Se, Te) topological insulators can be tuned by controlling the sequence of stacking defects in the crystal. Twin boundaries inside the Bi₂X₃ bulk drive either n- or p-type self-doping of the (0001) topological surface states, depending on the precise orientation of the twin. The surface doping may achieve values up to 300 meV and can be controlled by the number of defects and their relative position with respect to the surface. Its origin relies on the spontaneous polarization generated by the dipole moments associated with the lattice defects. Our findings open the route to the fabrication of Bi₂X₃ surfaces with tailored surface charge and spin densities in the absence of external electric fields. In addition, in a thin film geometry two-dimensional electron and hole Dirac gases with the same spin-helicity coexist at opposite surfaces

Strong Cooperative Spin Crossover in 2D and 3D Fe^II–M^I,II Hofmann-Like Coordination Polymers Based on 2‑Fluoropyrazine

Self-assembling iron­(II), 2-fluoropyrazine (Fpz), and [M^II(CN)₄]^2– (M^II = Ni, Pd, Pt) or [Au^I(CN)₂]⁻ building blocks have afforded a new series of two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) Hofmann-like spin crossover (SCO) coordination polymers with strong cooperative magnetic, calorimetric, and optical properties. The iron­(II) ions, lying on inversion centers, define elongated octahedrons equatorially surrounded by four equivalent centrosymmetric μ₄-[M^II(CN)₄]^2– groups. The axial positions are occupied by two terminal Fpz ligands affording significantly corrugated 2D layers {Fe­(Fpz)₂([M^II(CN)₄]}. The Pt and Pd derivatives undergo thermal- and light-induced SCO characterized by <i>T</i>_1/2 temperatures centered at 155.5 and 116 K and hysteresis loops 22 K wide, while the Ni derivative is high spin at all temperatures, even at pressures of 0.7 GPa. The great stability of the high-spin state in the Ni derivative has tentatively been ascribed to the tight packing of the layers, which contrasts with that of Pt and Pd derivatives in the high- and low-spin states. The synthesis and structure of the 3D frameworks formulated {Fe­(Fpz)­[Pt­(CN)₄]}·1/2H₂O and {Fe­(Fpz)­[Au­(CN)₂]₂}, where Fpz acts as bridging ligand, which is also discussed. The former is high spin at all temperatures, while the latter displays very strong cooperative SCO centered at 243 K accompanied by a hysteresis loop 42.5 K wide. The crystal structures and SCO properties are compared with those of related complexes derived from pyrazine, 3-fluoropyridine, and pyridine