57 research outputs found
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and ubiquitin-proteasome system impairment in natural scrapie
Chronic accumulation of misfolded proteins such as PrPSc can alter the endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis triggering the unfolded protein response (UPR). In this pathogenic event, the molecular chaperones play an important role. Several reports in humans and animals have suggested that neurodegeneration is related to endoplasmic reticulum stress in diseases caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins. In this study, we investigated the expression of three endoplasmic reticulum stress markers: PERK (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase), BiP (binding immunoglobulin protein), and PDI (Protein Disulfide Isomerase). In addition, we evaluated the accumulation of ubiquitin as a marker for protein degradation mediated by the proteasome. These proteins were studied in brain tissues of sheep affected by scrapie in clinical and preclinical stages of the disease. Results were compared with those observed in healthy controls. Scrapie-infected sheep showed significant higher levels of PERK, BiP/Grp78 and PDI than healthy animals. As we observed before in models of spontaneous prion disease, PDI was the most altered ER stress marker between scrapie-infected and healthy sheep. Significantly increased intraneuronal and neuropil ubiquitinated deposits were observed in certain brain areas in scrapie-affected animals compared to controls. Our results suggest that the neuropathological and neuroinflammatory phenomena that develop in prion diseases cause endoplasmic reticulum stress in brain cells triggering the UPR. In addition, the significantly higher accumulation of ubiquitin aggregates in scrapie-affected animals suggests an impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in natural scrapie. Therefore, these proteins may contribute as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for prion diseases
SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on a Spanish mink farm: epidemiological, molecular, and pathological studies
Farmed minks have been reported to be highly susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and may represent a risk to humans. In this study, we describe the first outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred on a mink farm in Spain, between June and July 2020, involving 92,700 animals. The outbreak started shortly after some farm workers became seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Minks showed no clinical signs compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout the outbreak. Samples from 98 minks were collected for histopathological, serological, and molecular studies. Twenty out of 98 (20.4%) minks were positive by RT-qPCR and 82 out 92 (89%) seroconverted. This finding may reflect a rapid spread of the virus at the farm with most of the animals overcoming the infection. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 was detected by RT-qPCR in 30% of brain samples from positive minks. Sequencing analysis showed that the mink sequences were not closely related with the other mink SARS-CoV-2 sequences available, and that this mink outbreak has its probable origin in one of the genetic variants that were prevalent in Spain during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave. Histological studies revealed bronchointerstitial pneumonia in some animals. Immunostaining of viral nucleocapsid was also observed in nasal turbinate tissue. Farmed minks could therefore constitute an important SARS-CoV-2 reservoir, contributing to virus spread among minks and humans. Consequently, continuous surveillance of mink farms is needed
CaracterizaciĂłn de huertos urbanos y periurbanos de Xalapa de EnrĂquez, Veracruz
La necesidad de adquirir alimentos de forma adecuada y sana ha llevado a buscar y fortalecer alternativas para su producciĂłn; en las ciudades se practica la agricultura urbana y periurbana (AUyP) y Xalapa, Veracruz, MĂ©xico, es un ejemplo de ello. Desde el año 2013 se autogestiono la Red de Agricultura Urbana y Periurbana de Xalapa (RAUPX), en la cual se centrĂł el objetivo de la presente investigaciĂłn, que consistiĂł en caracterizar los huertos de la RAUPX, en funciĂłn de las variables: tamaño de huerto, diversidad (Ăndice de Shannon), presencia de artropofauna y prĂĄcticas de manejo fitosanitarias; con el fin de diagnosticar y aportar propuestas para mejorar el manejo integrado de plagas. Los resultados incluyen datos generales productor-huerto tales como rango de edad, nivel de estudios, superficie, familias botĂĄnicas representativas, presencia de artropofauna en relaciĂłn con las especies cultivadas y manejo de prĂĄcticas fitosanitarias de acuerdo con su complejidad. Las prĂĄcticas fitosanitarias que realizan los productores son de forma correctiva en vez de preventiva y estĂĄn moderadamente relacionadas con la presencia de plagas
On Vastness and Variability: Cultural Transmission, Historicity, and the Paleoindian Record in Eastern South America
Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia
BackgroundA heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly, related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC).MethodsA population-based case-control study was conducted. Children <18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorffâs spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained.ResultsA total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed. Of these, 408 (38.7%) were distributed across eight SCs detected. A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster. Similar results were noted for the remaining seven ones. Additionally, a proximity between SCs, electrical installations and petrochemical facilities was observed.ConclusionsThe identification of SCs in certain regions of GMC suggest the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL
4to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, TecnologĂa e InnovaciĂłn para la Sociedad. Memoria acadĂ©mica
Este volumen acoge la memoria acadĂ©mica de la Cuarta ediciĂłn del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, TecnologĂa e InnovaciĂłn para la Sociedad, CITIS 2017, desarrollado entre el 29 de noviembre y el 1 de diciembre de 2017 y organizado por la Universidad PolitĂ©cnica Salesiana (UPS) en su sede de Guayaquil.
El Congreso ofreciĂł un espacio para la presentaciĂłn, difusiĂłn e intercambio de importantes investigaciones nacionales e internacionales ante la comunidad universitaria que se dio cita en el encuentro. El uso de herramientas tecnolĂłgicas para la gestiĂłn de los trabajos de investigaciĂłn como la plataforma Open Conference Systems y la web de presentaciĂłn del Congreso http://citis.blog.ups.edu.ec/, hicieron de CITIS 2017 un verdadero referente entre los congresos que se desarrollaron en el paĂs.
La preocupaciĂłn de nuestra Universidad, de presentar espacios que ayuden a generar nuevos y mejores cambios en la dimensiĂłn humana y social de nuestro entorno, hace que se persiga en cada ediciĂłn del evento la presentaciĂłn de trabajos con calidad creciente en cuanto a su producciĂłn cientĂfica.
Quienes estuvimos al frente de la organizaciĂłn, dejamos plasmado en estas memorias acadĂ©micas el intenso y prolĂfico trabajo de los dĂas de realizaciĂłn del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, TecnologĂa e InnovaciĂłn para la Sociedad al alcance de todos y todas
Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests
Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the worldâs tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the worldâs tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests.</p
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and lowâmiddle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of âsingle-useâ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for lowâmiddle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both highâ and lowâmiddleâincome countries
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