Cognitive Plasticity in Foraging Vespula germanica Wasps

Vespula germanica (F.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is a highly invasive social wasp that exhibits a rich behavioral repertoire in which learning and memory play a fundamental role in foraging. The learning abilities of these wasps were analyzed while relocating a food source and whether V. germanica foragers are capable of discriminating between different orientation patterns and generalizing their choice to a new pattern. Foraging wasps were trained to associate two different stripe orientation patterns with their respective food locations. Their response to a novel configuration that maintained the orientation of one of the learned patterns but differed in other aspects (e.g. width of stripes) was then evaluated. The results support the hypothesis that V. germanica wasps are able to associate a particular oriented pattern with the location of a feeder and to generalize their choice to a new pattern, which differed in quality, but presented the same orientation

An effective intervention can contribute to enhancing social integration while reducing perceived stress in children

La presente investigación evalúa si una intervención que involucra prácticas basadas en la atención plena, actividades socio afectivas e instancias sociocognitivas puede fomentar actitudes prosociales y relaciones sociales positivas y reducir el estrés percibido en los niños. El estudio se realizó con 44 niños (20 niñas and 24 niños) de entre 6 y 8 años (M= 7.25 años, DS= 0.43), y siguió un diseño cuasi experimental con dos momentos de medición (antes y después de la intervención). Analizamos los cambios relativos en los niveles de integración social, altruismo universal y estrés percibido. Nuestros resultados revelaron que los niños que participaron en la intervención mostraron una mejora en las pruebas de integración social y altruismo universal; es decir, los niños eligieron más compañeros como compañeros de juego y rechazaron a menos de ellos, al tiempo que evidenciaron mayores actitudes prosociales. Asimismo, se observó una disminución en los índices de estrés percibido luego de la intervención.This investigation evaluates whether an intervention involving mindfulness-based practices, socio-affective activities, and socio-cognitive instances can foster prosocial attitudes and positive social relationships and reduce perceived stress in The study was conducted with 44 children (20 girls and 24 boys) aged between 6 and 8 (M= 7.25 years, SD= 0.43), and followed a quasi experimental wait list design with two measurement time points (pre and post intervention). We analyzed relative changes in social integration, universal altruism and perceived stress levels. Our results revealed that children who participated in the intervention showed an enhancement in social integration and universal altruism tests, and a decrease in the perceived stress indices. That is, children chose more peers as playmates and rejected fewer of them, while evidencing more prosocial attitudes. Our findings suggest that this kind of intervention can contribute to fostering social integration and prosociality while promoting children’s health and wellbeing from an early age.Fil: Carro Regalado, Natalia Denisse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: D'adamo, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Práticas de integração corpo-mente como promotoras de estados emocionais saudáveis

Introducción: recientes investigaciones provenientes de diversos campos emergentes como la psiconeuroinmunología,la medicina integrativa o la epigenética han dado cuenta de la estrecha vinculaciónentre los estados emocionales y la salud. El objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención basadaen la realización de prácticas de integración cuerpo-mente sobre la regulación emocional. Materiales y métodos: en 102 participantes, de entre 34 y 65 años de edad, se analizaron cambios en la Escala de Afectividad Positiva y Negativa (panas), antes y después de participar en la intervención propuesta, que se realizó durante ocho encuentros de seis horas de duración cada uno, a lo largo de cuatro meses. Resultados: se encontró un aumento en la afectividad positiva y una disminución en la afectividad negativaluego de la intervención. El índice de afectividad (i. e. afectividad positiva/afectividad negativa) se incrementó de una relación 2:1 a una relación 3:1. Esta última proporción ha sido asociada con estados saludables. Conclusiones: el estudio contribuye a demostrar el beneficio que brindan las prácticas de integración cuerpo-mente en la regulación emocional y la afectividad positiva. Esto podría propiciar un mayor bienestar psicofísico individual y colectivo.Introduction: Recent research from various emerging fields, such as psychoneuroimmunology, integrative medicine, and epigenetics, showed a close link between emotional states and health. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention based on mind–body integration practices in emotional regulation. Materials and Methods: We evaluated changes in the positive and negative affectivity scale in 102 participants before and after the intervention, which was performed during eight meetings lasting 6 h each, for 4 months. Results: An increase in positive affectivity and a decrease in negative affectivity were found after the intervention. The affectivity index (i.e., positive affectivity/negative affectivity) increased from a 2:1 ratio to a 3:1 ratio. This latter ratio has been associated with healthy states. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that mind–body integration practices can confer to emotional regulation and positive affectivity. These beneficial effects could improve psychophysical well-being at both the individual and collective levels.Introdução: pesquisas recentes provenientes de vários campos emergentes, como a psiconeuroimunologia, medicina integrativa e epigenética, mostram a estreita ligação entre os estados emocionais e a saúde. O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar a eficácia de uma intervenção baseada na realização de práticas de integração corpo-mente, na regulação emocional. Materiais e métodos: em 102 participantes, entre 34 e 65 anos, foram analisadas as mudanças na escala de afetividade positiva e negativa (panas) antes e após a participação na intervenção proposta, que foi realizada durante 8 encontros de 6 horas de duração cada, durante 4 meses. Resultados: houve um aumento da afetividade positiva e diminuição da afetividade negativa após a intervenção. O índice de afetividade (ou seja, afetividade positiva/afetividade negativa) aumentou, passando de uma relação de 2:1 para uma relação de 3:1, esta última proporção tem sido associada a estados saudáveis. Conclusões: o presente estudo contribui para demonstrar o benefício proporcionado pelas práticas de integração corpo-mente na regulação emocional e na afetividade positiva. Isso poderia propiciar um maior bem-estar psicofísico a nível individual e coletivo.Fil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: D'adamo, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentin

Peri-procedural brain lesions prevention in CAS (3PCAS). Randomized trial comparing CGuard™ stent vs. wallstent

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate peri-procedural incidence of new diffusion-weighted-magneticresonance- imaging (DWMRI) brain lesions in CAS patients treated by carotid mesh stent (CGuard™) or closed-cell stent (Wallstent™). Methods: Consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis ≥ 70% were submitted to preoperative DWMRI scan, to exclude the presence of preoperative silent cerebral lesions. Patients were randomized to CGuard orWallstent. DWMRI was performed immediately after the intervention and at 72-hour postoperatively. Moreover, pre and postoperative Mini-Mental-State-Examination Test (MMSE) and aMontreal-Cognitive-Assessment (MoCA) test were conducted, and S100β and NSE neurobiomarkers were measured at 5-time points (preoperatively, 2, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively). Results: From January 2015 to October 2016, sixty-one consecutive eligible patients were submitted to preoperative DWMRI scan. Three patients were excluded because of preoperative silent cerebral lesions. In 29 CGuard patients, 1 developed a minor stroke and 8 silent newlesionswere observed in the 72 h-DWMRI (31%): 4 lesions were ipsilateral, and 4 lesions were contra or bilateral. In 29 Wallstent patients, 7 clinically-silent new lesions were found in the 72 h-DWMRI (24.1%; p = 0.38). In 4 cases lesions were ipsilateral and in 3 cases contra or bilateral. S100B values doubled at 48 h in 24 patients, and among them 12 presented new DWMRI lesions. 48-h S100B increase was significantly related to 72-h DWMRI lesions (p= 0.012). Conclusions: In our experience both stents showed an acceptable rate of subclinical neurological events with no significant differences at 72-hour DWMRI between groups. Bilateral/contralateral lesions suggest that periprocedural neurological damage may have extra-carotid sources

Ion Channels Involvement in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Inherited and sporadic mutations in genes encoding for brain ion channels, affecting membrane expression or biophysical properties, have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by epilepsy, cognitive and behavioral deficits with significant phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Over the years, the screening of a growing number of patients and the functional characterization of newly identified mutations in ion channels genes allowed to recognize new phenotypes and to widen the clinical spectrum of known diseases. Furthermore, advancements in understanding disease pathogenesis at atomic level or using patient-derived iPSCs and animal models have been pivotal to orient therapeutic intervention and to put the basis for the development of novel pharmacological options for drug-resistant disorders. In this review we will discuss major improvements and critical issues concerning neurodevelopmental disorders caused by dysfunctions in brain sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and ligand-gated ion channels

Ayudar ayuda

En este artículo las autoras describen investigaciones que han demostrado que el comportamiento pro-social y la empatía pueden contribuir al bienestar psicofísico, disminuyendo niveles de estrés crónico y mejorando la respuesta inmune. Basadas en esta evidencia y con el fin de promover estas capacidades en niñas y niños, desarrollaron un programa que consiste en realizar, en el ambiente diario de los chicos, junto a sus maestras, actividades lúdicas grupales que favorecen la auto-percepción, la colaboración empática y la toma de perspectiva. Observamos que, al participar de estas experiencias, las niñas y niños amplían sus lazos sociales, aumentando la inclusión y disminuyendo el rechazo entre pares. Encontraron además un aumento en las actitudes solidarias y una reducción del estrés crónico. Estos resultados muestran como la colaboración empática puede aprenderse y desarrollarse en la escuela, beneficiando así la salud y las relaciones sociales.Fil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: D'adamo, Paola. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto Patagónico de Estudios de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Carro Regalado, Natalia Denisse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

pH dependence of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir5.1, and localization in renal tubular epithelia

The physiological role of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir5.1, is poorly understood, as is the molecular identity of many renal potassium channels. In this study we have used Kir5.1-specific antibodies to reveal abundant expression of Kir5.1 in renal tubular epithelial cells, where Kir4.1 is also expressed. Moreover, we also show that Kir5.1/Kir4.1 heteromeric channel activity is extremely sensitive to inhibition by intracellular acidification and that this novel property is conferred predominantly by the Kir5.1 subunit. These findings suggest that Kir5.1/Kir4.1 heteromeric channels are likely to exist in vivo and implicate an important and novel functional role for the Kir5.1 subunit.peer-reviewe

UNA ENSEÑANZA PARA EL CUIDADO DE LA VIDA: Propuestas para integrar los contenidos conceptuales y sensibles en la práctica de la educación ambiental

En un mundo cambiante y complejo se hace imperioso compartir y experimentar la educación ambiental, integrando los conocimientos conceptuales con la dimensión sensible de nuestro estar en el mundo. A través de este artículo, intentamos desplegar algunos diálogos posibles y compartir puntos de vista sobre la experiencia en el campo de la enseñanza y de la investigación con niñas y niños, focalizando en la potencia del cuerpo a la hora de conocer, y poniendo en primer plano la sensibilidad, las emociones y la empatía, ese ámbito que hoy se define como “afectividad ambiental”

Novel phenotype associated with a mutation in the KCNA1(Kv1.1) gene

Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is an autosomal dominant K+ channelopathy which manifests with short attacks of cerebellar ataxia and dysarthria, and may also show interictal myokymia. Episodes can be triggered by emotional or physical stress, startle response, sudden postural change or fever. Here we describe a 31-year-old man displaying markedly atypical symptoms, including long-lasting attacks of jerking muscle contractions associated with hyperthermia, severe migraine, and a relatively short-sleep phenotype. A single nucleotide change in KCNA1 (c.555C>G) was identified that changes a highly conserved residue (p.C185W) in the first transmembrane segment of the voltage-gated K+ channel Kv1.1. The patient is heterozygous and the mutation was inherited from his asymptomatic mother. Next generation sequencing revealed no variations in the CACNA1A, CACNB4, KCNC3, KCNJ10, PRRT2 or SCN8A genes of either the patient or mother, except for a benign variant in SLC1A3. Functional analysis of the p.C185W mutation in KCNA1 demonstrated a deleterious dominant-negative phenotype where the remaining current displayed slower activation kinetics, subtle changes in voltage-dependence and faster recovery from slow inactivation. Structural modeling also predicts the C185W mutation to be functionally deleterious. This description of novel clinical features, associated with a Kv1.1 mutation highlights a possibly unrecognized relationship between K+ channel dysfunction, hyperthermia and migraine in EA1, and suggests that thorough assessments for these symptoms should be carefully considered for all patients affected by EA1.peer-reviewe