Nutrition and adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus: Does what you eat help you remember?

Neurogenesis is a complex process by which neural progenitor cells (NPCs)/neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferate and differentiate into new neurons and other brain cells. In adulthood, the hippocampus is one of the areas with more neurogenesis activity, which is involved in the modulation of both emotional and cognitive hippocampal functions. This complex process is affected by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including nutrition. In this regard, preclinical studies performed in rats and mice demonstrate that high fats and/or sugars diets have a negative effect on adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). In contrast, diets enriched with bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, as well as intermittent fasting or caloric restriction, can induce AHN. Interestingly, there is also growing evidence demonstrating that offspring AHN can be affected by maternal nutrition in the perinatal period. Therefore, nutritional interventions from early stages and throughout life are a promising perspective to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases by stimulating neurogenesis. The underlying mechanisms by which nutrients and dietary factors affect AHN are still being studied. Interestingly, recent evidence suggests that additional peripheral mediators may be involved. In this sense, the microbiota-gut-brain axis mediates bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain and could act as a link between nutritional factors and AHN. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize, the most recent findings related to the influence of nutrition and diet in the modulation of AHN. The importance of maternal nutrition in the AHN of the offspring and the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the nutrition-neurogenesis relationship have also been included.Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga, Spain. Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain. UGC Salud Mental, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain. Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos 'José Mataix', Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain

Sex-Specific Variations in Spatial Reference Memory Acquisition: Insights from a Comprehensive Behavioral Test Battery in C57BL/6JRj Mice.

Sex differences in declarative memory are described in humans, revealing a female or a male advantage depending on the task. Specifically, spatial memory (i.e., spatial navigation) is typically most efficient in men. This sexual dimorphism has been replicated in male rats but not clearly in mice. In this study, sex differences in spatial memory were assessed in thirty-six C57BL/6 J mice (Janvier Labs; i.e., C57BL/6JRj mice), a widely used mouse substrain. Both male and female mice (12 weeks-old) were subjected to standard behavioral paradigms: the elevated plus maze, the open field test, the novel object and place tests, the forced swimming test, and the water maze test for spatial navigation. Across assessment, no sex differences were found in measures of locomotor activity, emotional and behavioral responses, and object and place recognition memories. In the water maze, male mice were faster in learning the platform location in the reference memory training and used more spatial strategies during the first training days. However, both sexes reached a similar asymptotic performance and performed similarly in the probe trial for long-term memory consolidation. No sex differences were found in the cued training, platform inversion sessions, or spatial working memory sessions. Hippocampal expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor was similar in both sexes, either in basal conditions or after performing the behavioral training battery. Importantly, female mice were not more variable than males in any measure analyzed. This outcome encourages the investigation of sex differences in animal models and the usefulness of including female mice in behavioral research.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga/CBUA. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Spain Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universidad de Málaga, Spain Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain Departamento de Nutrición y Bromatología, Universidad de Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, Spain Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos 'José Mataix', Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spai

Validez del Ages & Stages questionnaires para predecir el desempeño cognitivo en los primeros años de educación escolar

ResumenIntroducciónEl Ages and Stages questionnaires (ASQ) fue validado en nuestro país para el tamizaje del desarrollo psicomotor. El objetivo es evaluar la validez del ASQ para predecir un menor rendimiento cognitivo en los primeros años de educación escolar.Pacientes y métodoEstudio de pruebas diagnósticas en una muestra de niños de nivel socioeconómico medio alto evaluados previamente con ASQ a los 8, 18 y/o 30 meses, y luego con la Escala de inteligencia para niños de Wechsler-tercera edición (WISC-III) entre los 6 y 9 años de edad. Cada evaluación con ASQ se contabilizó en forma independiente. La Escala de WISC-III fue estandarizada para la muestra, considerando rendimiento bajo cuando el puntaje total estaba bajo una desviación estándar de la media.ResultadosSe incluyeron 123 niños, correspondientes a 174 evaluaciones ASQ (42 de 8; 55 de 18; 77 de 30 meses de edad). El área bajo la curva ROC fue 80,7%, siendo superior a los 8 meses (98,0%) que a los 18 y 30 meses (78,1 y 79,3%, respectivamente). Considerando distintos criterios de corte con ASQ se obtuvo sensibilidad baja (27,8% a 50,0%), pero especificidad elevada (78,8% a 96,2%); el valor predictivo positivo varió entre 21,4% y 45,5%, mientras que el valor predictivo negativo fue 92,0-93,2%.ConclusiónEl ASQ tiene baja sensibilidad pero excelente especificidad para predecir un menor rendimiento cognitivo durante los primeros años de educación escolar, siendo una buena alternativa para monitorizar el desarrollo psicomotor de niños que se atienden en el sector privado de salud de nuestro país.AbstractIntroductionThe Ages and Stages questionnaires (ASQ) has been recently validated in our country for developmental screening. The objective of this study is evaluate the validity of ASQ to predict low cognitive performance in the early years of schooling.Patients and methodDiagnostic test studies conducted on a sample of children of medium-high socioeconomic level were evaluated using ASQ at least once at 8, 18 and/or 30 months old, and later, between 6 and 9 years old, reevaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-third edition (WISC-III). Each ASQ evaluation was recorded independently. WISC-III was standardized, considering underperformance when the total score were under -1 standard deviationResults123 children, corresponding to 174 ASQ assessments (42 of them were 8 months old, 55 were 18 months and 77 were 30 months of age) were included. An area under the ROC curve of 80.7% was obtained, showing higher values at 8 months (98.0%) compared to 18 and 30 months old (78.1 and 79.3%, respectively). Considering different ASQ scoring criteria, a low sensitivity (27.8 to 50.0%), but a high specificity (78.8 to 96.2%) were obtained; the positive predictive value ranged between 21 and 46%, while the negative value was 92.0-93.2%.ConclusionASQ has low sensitivity but excellent specificity to predict a low cognitive performance during the first years of schooling, being a good alternative to monitor psychomotor development in children who attend the private sector healthcare in our country

A behavioral test battery only reveals Sex-Specific Differences in Spatial Reference Memory Acquisition in C57BL/6JRj Mice

Sex disparities in declarative and spatial memory exist in humans, favoring either gender depending on the task. This trend is observed in rats but less so in mice. In our study with C57BL/6JRj mice, we conducted various tests and found no gender differences in locomotion, emotions, or object recognition. However, in the water maze task, males learned faster but both genders reached similar long-term memory levels. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression showed no significant gender variability in free-cycling female mice. This emphasizes the need to consider sex-based differences in animal models and include female mice in behavioral research.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

UNA EXPERIENCIA DE ARTICULACIÓN ENTRE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DEL SUR Y LAS ESCUELAS DE NIVEL MEDIO DE BAHÍA BLANCA Y SU ZONA DE INFLUENCIA.

En los últimos años es una preocupación común la problemática de la deserción en los primeros años de la universidad. La Universidad Nacional del Sur no permanece ajena a la misma. Esta preocupación llevó a la implementación de distintas acciones entre las cuales se encuadra la realización, desde el año 2003, del proyecto de Articulación Universidad- polimodal. En el presente trabajo se describirán los objetivos, actividades planteadas y las acciones desarrolladas hasta el momento actual en el marco del Proyecto de “Articulación entre la Universidad Nacional del Sur y las escuelas de nivel medio de Bahía Blanca y su zona de influencia”, el cual se enmarca en el “Programa Apoyo a la Articulación Universidad – Escuela Media II” del Ministerio de Educación, Técnica y Tecnología – Secretaría de Políticas Universitarias

Silver nanoparticles produced by laser ablation and re-irradiation are effective preventing peri-implantitis multispecies biofilm formation

Implant-associated infection due to biofilm formation is a growing problem. Given that silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have shown antibacterial effects, our goal is to study their effect against multispecies biofilm involved in the development of peri-implantitis. To this purpose, Ag-NPs were synthesized by laser ablation in de-ionized water using two different lasers, leading to the production of colloidal suspensions. Subsequently, part of each suspension was subjected to irradiation one and three times with the same laser source with which it was obtained. Ag-NPs were immobilized on the surface of titanium discs and the resultant materials were compared with unmodified titanium coupons. Nanoparticles were physico-chemically analysed to determine their shape, crystallinity, chemical composition, and mean diameter. The materials were incubated for 90 min or 48 h, to evaluate bacterial adhesion or biofilm formation respectively with Staphylococcus aureus or oral mixed bacterial flora composed of Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veionella dispar, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Ag-NPs help prevent the formation of biofilms both by S. aureus and by mixed oral bacterial flora. Nanoparticles re-irradiated three times showed the biggest antimicrobial effects. Modifying dental implants in this way could prevent the development of peri-implantitis.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2019/23Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PID2020-117900RB-I00Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. EQC2018-004315-PInterreg Atlantic Area | Ref. Bluehuman EAPA_151/201

Phylogeny and phylogeography of a recent HIV-1 subtype F outbreak among men who have sex with men in Spain deriving from a cluster with a wide geographic circulation in Western Europe

This work received support from the Dirección General de Farmacia, Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad, Government of Spain, grant EC11-272; European Network of Excellence EUROPRISE (Rational Design of HIV Vaccines and Microbicides), grant LSHP-CT-2006-037611; European Research Infrastructures for Poverty Related Diseases (EURIPRED). Seventh Framework Programme: FP7-Capacities-infrastructures-2012-1, grant agreement 312661; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Evaluación, and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Plan Nacional I + D + I, through project RD12/0017/0026; Consellería de Sanidade, Government of Galicia, Spain (MVI 1291/08); and the Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud, Basque Country, Spain (MVI-1255-08). Marcos Pérez-Losada was supported by a DC D-CFAR Research Award from the District of Columbia Developmental Center for AIDS Research (P30AI087714) and by an University Facilitating Fund award from George Washington University. Aurora Fernández-García is supported by CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.We recently reported the rapid expansion of an HIV-1 subtype F cluster among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the region of Galicia, Northwest Spain. Here we update this outbreak, analyze near full-length genomes, determine phylogenetic relationships, and estimate its origin. For this study, we used sequences of HIV-1 protease-reverse transcriptase and env V3 region, and for 17 samples, near full-length genome sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses were performed via maximum likelihood. Locations and times of most recent common ancestors were estimated using Bayesian inference. Among samples analyzed by us, 100 HIV-1 F1 subsubtype infections of monophyletic origin were diagnosed in Spain, including 88 in Galicia and 12 in four other regions. Most viruses (n = 90) grouped in a subcluster (Galician subcluster), while 7 from Valladolid (Central Spain) grouped in another subcluster. At least 94 individuals were sexually-infected males and at least 71 were MSM. Seventeen near full-length genomes were uniformly of F1 subsubtype. Through similarity searches and phylogenetic analyses, we identified 18 viruses from four other Western European countries [Switzerland (n = 8), Belgium (n = 5), France (n = 3), and United Kingdom (n = 2)] and one from Brazil, from samples collected in 2005?2011, which branched within the subtype F cluster, outside of both Spanish subclusters, most of them corresponding to recently infected individuals. The most probable geographic origin and age of the Galician subcluster was Ferrol, Northwest Galicia, around 2007, while the Western European cluster probably emerged in Switzerland around 2002. In conclusion, a recently expanded HIV-1 subtype F cluster, the largest non-subtype B cluster reported in Western Europe, continues to spread among MSM in Spain; this cluster is part of a larger cluster with a wide geographic circulation in diverse Western European countries.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance through Regular Genomic Sequencing in Spain: The RELECOV Network

Millions of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences have been generated to date. However, good quality data and adequate surveillance systems are required to contribute to meaningful surveillance in public health. In this context, the network of Spanish laboratories for coronavirus (RELECOV) was created with the main goal of promoting actions to speed up the detection, analyses, and evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 at a national level, partially structured and financed by an ECDC-HERA-Incubator action (ECDC/GRANT/2021/024). A SARS-CoV-2 sequencing quality control assessment (QCA) was developed to evaluate the network’s technical capacity. QCA full panel results showed a lower hit rate for lineage assignment compared to that obtained for variants. Genomic data comprising 48,578 viral genomes were studied and evaluated to monitor SARS-CoV-2. The developed network actions showed a 36% increase in sharing viral sequences. In addition, analysis of lineage/sublineage-defining mutations to track the virus showed characteristic mutation profiles for the Delta and Omicron variants. Further, phylogenetic analyses strongly correlated with different variant clusters, obtaining a robust reference tree. The RELECOV network has made it possible to improve and enhance the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain. It has provided and evaluated genomic tools for viral genome monitoring and characterization that make it possible to increase knowledge efficiently and quickly, promoting the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain

Diverse Large HIV-1 Non-subtype B Clusters Are Spreading Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Spain

In Western Europe, the HIV-1 epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is dominated by subtype B. However, recently, other genetic forms have been reported to circulate in this population, as evidenced by their grouping in clusters predominantly comprising European individuals. Here we describe four large HIV-1 non-subtype B clusters spreading among MSM in Spain. Samples were collected in 9 regions. A pol fragment was amplified from plasma RNA or blood-extracted DNA. Phylogenetic analyses were performed via maximum likelihood, including database sequences of the same genetic forms as the identified clusters. Times and locations of the most recent common ancestors (MRCA) of clusters were estimated with a Bayesian method. Five large non-subtype B clusters associated with MSM were identified. The largest one, of F1 subtype, was reported previously. The other four were of CRF02_AG (CRF02_1; n = 115) and subtypes A1 (A1_1; n = 66), F1 (F1_3; n = 36), and C (C_7; n = 17). Most individuals belonging to them had been diagnosed of HIV-1 infection in the last 10 years. Each cluster comprised viruses from 3 to 8 Spanish regions and also comprised or was related to viruses from other countries: CRF02_1 comprised a Japanese subcluster and viruses from 8 other countries from Western Europe, Asia, and South America; A1_1 comprised viruses from Portugal, United Kingom, and United States, and was related to the A1 strain circulating in Greece, Albania and Cyprus; F1_3 was related to viruses from Romania; and C_7 comprised viruses from Portugal and was related to a virus from Mozambique. A subcluster within CRF02_1 was associated with heterosexual transmission. Near full-length genomes of each cluster were of uniform genetic form. Times of MRCAs of CRF02_1, A1_1, F1_3, and C_7 were estimated around 1986, 1989, 2013, and 1983, respectively. MRCA locations for CRF02_1 and A1_1 were uncertain (however initial expansions in Spain in Madrid and Vigo, respectively, were estimated) and were most probable in Bilbao, Spain, for F1_3 and Portugal for C_7. These results show that the HIV-1 epidemic among MSM in Spain is becoming increasingly diverse through the expansion of diverse non-subtype B clusters, comprising or related to viruses circulating in other countries.This work was funded through Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural (AESI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, project “Estudios sobre vigilancia epidemiológica molecular del VIH-1 en España,” PI16CIII/00033; Red de Investigación en SIDA (RIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Plan Nacional I+D+I, project RD16ISCIII/0002/0004; scientific agreements with Consellería de Sanidade, Government of Galicia (MVI 1004/16) and Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud, Government of Basque Country (MVI 1001/16); European Research Infrastructures for Poverty Related Diseases (EURIPRED). Seventh Framework Program: FP7-Capacities-infrastructures-2012-1, grant agreement 312661; and Dirección General de Farmacia, Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad, Government of Spain (grant EC11-272).S

Effectiveness and safety of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies in patients over 65 years: a real-life multicentre analysis of 162 patients

Background Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies have shown notable effectiveness and tolerability in migraine patients; however, data on their use in elderly patients is still lacking, as clinical trials have implicit age restrictions and real-world evidence is scarce. In this study, we aimed to describe the safety and effectiveness of erenumab, galcanezumab and fremanezumab in migraine patients over 65 years old in real-life. Methods In this observational real-life study, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 18 different headache units in Spain was performed. Migraine patients who started treatment with any anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody after the age of 65 years were included. Primary endpoints were reduction in monthly migraine days after 6 months of treatment and the presence of adverse effects. Secondary endpoints were reductions in headache and medication intake frequencies by months 3 and 6, response rates, changes in patient-reported outcomes and reasons for discontinuation. As a subanalysis, reduction in monthly migraine days and proportion of adverse effects were also compared among the three monoclonal antibodies. Results A total of 162 patients were included, median age 68 years (range 65-87), 74.1% women. 42% had dyslipidaemia, 40.3% hypertension, 8% diabetes, and 6.2% previous cardiovascular ischaemic disease. The reduction in monthly migraine days at month 6 was 10.17.3 days. A total of 25.3% of patients presented adverse effects, all of them mild, with only two cases of blood pressure increase. Headache and medication intake frequencies were significantly reduced, and patient-reported outcomes were improved. The proportions of responders were 68%, 57%, 33% and 9% for reductions in monthly migraine days >= 30%,>= 50%,>= 75% and 100%, respectively. A total of 72.8% of patients continued with the treatment after 6 months. The reduction in migraine days was similar for the different anti-CGRP treatments, but fewer adverse effects were detected with fremanezumab (7.7%). Conclusions Anti-CGRP mAbs are safe and effective treatments in migraine patients over 65 years old in real-life clinical practice