Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Intervention during Pregnancy on Maternal and Arterial and Venous Cord Serum Cytokines: The GESTAFIT Project

The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise-training program, from the 17th gestational week until delivery, on cytokines in maternal (at 17th and 35th gestational week, and at delivery) and arterial and venous cord serum. Fifty-eight Caucasian pregnant women (age: 33.5 +/- 4.7 years old, body mass index: 23.6 +/- 4.1kg/m(2)) from the GESTAFIT Project (exercise (n = 37) and control (n = 21) groups) participated in this quasi-experimental study (per-protocol basis). The exercise group followed a 60-min 3 days/week concurrent (aerobic-resistance) exercise-training from the 17th gestational week to delivery. Maternal and arterial and venous cord serum cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were assessed using Luminex xMAP technology. In maternal serum (after adjusting for the baseline values of cytokines), the exercise group decreased TNF-alpha (from baseline to 35th week, p = 0.02), and increased less IL-1 beta (from baseline to delivery, p = 0.03) concentrations than controls. When adjusting for other potential confounders, these differences became non-significant. In cord blood, the exercise group showed reduced arterial IL-6 and venous TNF-alpha (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively) and higher concentrations of arterial IL-1 beta (p = 0.03) compared to controls. The application of concurrent exercise-training programs could be a strategy to modulate immune responses in pregnant women and their fetuses. However, future research is needed to better understand the origin and clearance of these cytokines, their role in the maternal-placental-fetus crosstalk, and the influence of exercise interventions on them

Association study of rs1801282 PPARG gene polymorphism and immune cells and cytokine levels in a Spanish pregnant women cohort and their offspring

Background: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG ) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily functioning as transcription factors to regulate cellular differentiation, development and metabolism. Moreover, it has been implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism, as well as the maturation of monocytes/macrophages and the control of inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the Pro12Ala (rs1808212) PPARG gene polymorphism on immune molecular and cellular components in mothers and their offspring participating in the PREOBE study. Methods: DNA from maternal venous blood samples at 24, 34 and 40 gestational weeks, plus cord blood samples was extracted. Pro12Ala PPARG polymorphism genotyping was performed, and immune system markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Study findings revealed no effect of rs1808212 PPARG genotypes on innate immune parameters in mothers and their offspring; however, CD4 + /CD8 + ratio were decreased at 24 and 34 weeks in pregnant women carrying the CG (Pro12Ala) rs1808212 polymorphism, (p = 0,012 and p = 0,030; respectively). Only CD19 levels in peripheral blood were significantly higher at delivery in pregnant women carrying the CC (Pro12Pro) genotype (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in leukocytes and neutrophils maternal levels at 34 weeks of gestation, being lower in carriers of Pro12Ala genotype (p = 0.028 and p = 0.031, respectively). Conclusions: Results suggest that Pro12Ala PPARG polymorphism may have an effect on some cell and immune parameters in pregnant women during pregnancy and at time of delivery. However, newborn innate immune system does not seems to be influenced by PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism in cord blood.Andalusian Ministry of Innovation and Science, Junta de Andalucía, Excellence Project P06-CTS-02341Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness BFU2012-40254-C03-01Abbott Laboratories, Granada, Spai

Identificación de riesgos por desastres naturales en las cuencas hidrográficas Matasnillo (Panamá) y Goascorán (Honduras), y su relación con el cambio climático utilizando Tecnologías de Información Geográfica

Honduras and Panama are characterized by intense and long-last in grain fall, storms, severe electrical shock, floods, wildfires, marine tubes, tsunamis, episodes of the presence of El Niño, La Niña and spills of hazardous substances. On the other hand, Global climate change model syndicate that both countries are subject to severe changes, such as increased temperature, drought, more intense precipitation, more frequent storms and rising average sea level. This work is carried out under the University Program for Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change in Central America (PRIDCA) coordinated by the Central American University Council (CSUCA) and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (COSUDE)- and where the National Autonomous University of Honduras and the International Maritime University of Panama, through an inter-university project decided, from the perspective of scientific and technological research, to develop strategies and actions to reduce risks of natural disasters in watersheds Rivers Matasnillo, Gulf of Panama, and the Goascorán River basin, Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras; and the relationship of climate change further comprising a transverse axis of involvement and owner ship of the process by the key players in the study areas, through the development of a methodology that enables the identification, analysis and classification of risk product identifying threats and vulnerabilities in the basins selected through the application of GIS technologies, as well as developing proposals and recommendations to minimize risks identified as high based on depth threat.Honduras y Panamá están caracterizados por precipitaciones intensas y de larga duración, tormentas, fuertes descargas eléctricas, inundaciones, incendios de masas vegetales, trompas marinas, tsunamis, episodios de la presencia de El Niño, La Niña y de derrames de sustancias peligrosas. El presente trabajo se desarrolla en el marco del Programa Universitario para la Gestión Integral del Riesgo de Desastres y Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Centroamérica(PRIDCA) coordinado por el Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano y financiado por la Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y la Cooperación -COSUDE-, y donde la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras y la Universidad Marítima Internacional de Panamá a través de un proyecto interuniversitario han decidido desde una perspectiva de investigación científica y tecnológica, establecer estrategias y acciones para la reducción de riesgos de desastres naturales en las cuencas hidrográficas de los Ríos Matasnillo, Golfo de Panamá, y la cuenca del Río Goascorán, Golfo de Fonseca, Honduras; y la relación del cambio climático que además comprenda un eje transversal de involucramiento y apropiación del proceso por parte de los actores claves en las zonas de estudio, mediante el desarrollo de una metodología que facilite la identificación, el análisis y la clasificación de riesgos producto de la identificación de amenazas y vulnerabilidades en el área de las cuencas seleccionadas a través de la aplicación de tecnologías de Información Geográfica, elaborando además propuestas y recomendaciones para minimizar riesgos identificados como altos en base a profundidad de la amenaza

Knee osteoarthritis and periarticular structure quantified by ultrasound. A case-control study

Background Assessment of pain and physical function is complex in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), as standard criteria are lacking.A previous study examining correlations between functional capacity and pain (WOMAC) and anthropometric characteristics and periarticular knee structure (quantified by ultrasound imaging) in females with knee OA found increased quadriceps muscle density was associated with higher functional disability and pain scores, suggesting that not only joint wear and symptom severity are involved and more objective measures are necessary..

Quisquis: A new design for anonymous cryptocurrencies

Despite their usage of pseudonyms rather than persistent identifiers, most existing cryptocurrencies do not provide users with any meaningful levels of privacy. This has prompted the creation of privacy-enhanced cryptocurrencies such as Monero and Zcash, which are specifically designed to counteract the tracking analysis possible in currencies like Bitcoin. These cryptocurrencies, however, also suffer from some drawbacks: in both Monero and Zcash, the set of potential unspent coins is always growing, which means users cannot store a concise representation of the blockchain. Additionally, Zcash requires a common reference string and the fact that addresses are reused multiple times in Monero has led to attacks to its anonymity. In this paper we propose a new design for anonymous cryptocurrencies, Quisquis, that achieves provably secure notions of anonymity. Quisquis stores a relatively small amount of data, does not require trusted setup, and in Quisquis each address appears on the blockchain at most twice: once when it is generated as output of a transaction, and once when it is spent as input to a transaction. Our result is achieved by combining a DDH-based tool (that we call updatable keys) with efficient zero-knowledge arguments

Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, induces numerous undesirable effects, including memory impairments, anxiety, and dependence. Conversely, THC also has potentially therapeutic effects, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, and neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms that dissociate these responses are still not known. Using mice lacking the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, we revealed that the analgesic and amnesic effects of THC are independent of each other: while amnesia induced by THC disappears in the mutant mice, THC can still promote analgesia in these animals. In subsequent molecular studies, we showed that in specific brain regions involved in memory formation, the receptors for THC and the 5-HT2A receptors work together by physically interacting with each other. Experimentally interfering with this interaction prevented the memory deficits induced by THC, but not its analgesic properties. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which the beneficial analgesic properties of THC can be dissociated from its cognitive side effects

Paclitaxel Plus Cetuximab as Induction Chemotherapy for Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Unfit for Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy

ObjectivesInduction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by definitive treatment is an accepted non-surgical approach for locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). However, ICT remains a challenge for cisplatin-unfit patients. We evaluated paclitaxel and cetuximab (P-C) as ICT in a cohort of LA-HNSCC patients unfit for cisplatin. Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of patients with newly diagnosed LA-HNSCC considered unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy (age >70 and/or ECOG >= 2 and/or comorbidities) treated with weekly P-C followed by definitive radiotherapy and cetuximab (RT-C) between 2010 and 2017. Toxicity and objective response rate (ORR) to ICT and RT-C were collected. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine baseline predictors of OS and PFS. ResultsA total of 57 patients were included. Grade 3-4 toxicity rate to ICT was 54.4%, and there was a death deemed treatment-related (G5). P-C achieved an ORR of 66.7%, including 12.3% of complete responses (CR). After P-C, 45 patients (78.9%) continued with concomitant RT-C. Twenty-six patients (45.6%) achieved a CR after definitive treatment. With a median follow-up of 21.7 months (range 1.2-94.6), median OS and PFS were 22.9 months and 10.7 months, respectively. The estimated 2-year OS and PFS rates were 48.9% and 33.7%, respectively. Disease stage had a negative impact on OS (stage IVb vs. III-IVa: HR = 2.55 [1.08-6.04], p = 0.03), with a trend towards worse PFS (HR = 1.92 [0.91-4.05], p = 0.09). Primary tumor in the larynx was associated with improved PFS but not OS (HR = 0.45 [0.22-0.92], p = 0.03, and HR = 0.69 [0.32-1.54], p = 0.37, respectively). ConclusionP-C was a well-tolerated and active ICT regimen in this cohort of LA-HNSCC patients unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. P-C might represent a valid ICT option for unfit patients and may aid patient selection for definitive treatment

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum