ACTIVATION OF THE HYPOTHALAMIC– PITUITARY–ADRENAL AXIS INDUCES THE DIFFERENTIAL RELEASE OF PRO– INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN BALB/C MICE

Physiological processes are associated with interactions between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, which communicate through neurotransmitters, hormones and cytokines. The key to this communication is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis which can be activated by stress and pro–inflammatory cytokines. We have investigated the effects of acute and chronic stress on the release of pro–inflammatory cytokines through activation of the HPA axis. Accordingly, BALB/c mice were exposed to acute stress through the single application of bi–frontal electrical stimulation (ESa, 20V/10 mA/0.05s) and the effect produced by a single i.p. dose of Lipopolysacharide (LPS) (250 μg/100g). Chronic stress was (ESc) induced by applying the electrical stimulus to the animals in the same way for 7 consecutive days, as well as the effects of ascending LPS administration over 7 days (35–250 μg/100g i.p./day). Following stimulation, the levels of pro–inflammatory cytokines and corticosterone were quantified by ELISA. Unlike LPS that provoked an increase in TNF–α, IL–1β, IL–6, and corticosterone levels, acute electrical stress did not induce any change in the levels of pro–inflammatory cytokines or corticosterone. In contrast, chronic ESc stress produced an increase in the levels of TNF–α, while in the animals treated with LPS the IL–6 levels increased. These data suggest that the response of the HPA axis to stress depends on the duration, intensity and etiology of the stress agent, also suggest a suitable model for the evaluation of drugs with potential effect on inflammatory stress

Effect of torrefaction temperature on properties of Patula pine

The objective of this work was to study the effect of torrefaction temperature on properties of patula pine (Pinus patula) wood that could be of interest for further thermochemical processing. Torrefaction temperature was varied from 200 to 300 °C for 30 minutes using a batch spoon type reactor. Raw and torrefied materials were characterized for proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetry, and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Results showed that torrefied pine has greater higher heating value and chemical exergy due to the reduction of O/C and H/C ratios. Compared with raw biomass, the material torrefied at 200 and 250 °C did not present significant changes  in chemical composition and thermal behavior. Conversely, material torrefied at 300 °C did show important changes in both chemical composition and thermal behavior. Py-GC/MS results suggested that the main constituents of biomass, i.e., hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, suffer a progressive thermal degradation with increase in torrefaction temperature

ACTIVATION OF THE HYPOTHALAMIC– PITUITARY–ADRENAL AXIS INDUCES THE DIFFERENTIAL RELEASE OF PRO– INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN BALB/C MICE

Physiological processes are associated with interactions between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, which communicate through neurotransmitters, hormones and cytokines. The key to this communication is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis which can be activated by stress and pro–inflammatory cytokines. We have investigated the effects of acute and chronic stress on the release of pro–inflammatory cytokines through activation of the HPA axis. Accordingly, BALB/c mice were exposed to acute stress through the single application of bi–frontal electrical stimulation (ESa, 20V/10 mA/0.05s) and the effect produced by a single i.p. dose of Lipopolysacharide (LPS) (250 μg/100g). Chronic stress was (ESc) induced by applying the electrical stimulus to the animals in the same way for 7 consecutive days, as well as the effects of ascending LPS administration over 7 days (35–250 μg/100g i.p./day). Following stimulation, the levels of pro–inflammatory cytokines and corticosterone were quantified by ELISA. Unlike LPS that provoked an increase in TNF–α, IL–1β, IL–6, and corticosterone levels, acute electrical stress did not induce any change in the levels of pro–inflammatory cytokines or corticosterone. In contrast, chronic ESc stress produced an increase in the levels of TNF–α, while in the animals treated with LPS the IL–6 levels increased. These data suggest that the response of the HPA axis to stress depends on the duration, intensity and etiology of the stress agent, also suggest a suitable model for the evaluation of drugs with potential effect on inflammatory stress

Actividad extracurricular en el ámbito de la Ingeniería para la competencia genérica de comunicación escrita

El objetivo de este trabajo es describir una actividad formativa extracurricular para la competencia de comunicación escrita, que puede ser fácilmente reproducida en otros centros y universidades. Para ello, en este trabajo se indica el marco en el que se pueden desarrollar las competencias genéricas y se analiza brevemente la actividad propuesta a través de sus resultados de aprendizaje, y cómo estos favorecen e influyen en otras competencias genéricas como la capacidad creativa y el aprendizaje para toda la vida.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Experimental study and calculation of the electron transfer coefficients on the dissolution behavior of chitosan in organic acids

Chitosan (CH) consists of water-insoluble N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucosamine molecules and has a higher solubility at a pH below six. This studyevaluated the solubility of chitosan in solutions of organic acids for the formation of films. HyperChemTMsoftware was used to perform the quantum analysis. In the experimental trials, the total soluble mass (TSM) and the viscosity of the solutions were measured by capillary viscometer. The chitosan filmswere made by the plate melting method, and the filmcharacteristics were evaluated. A quantum simulation suggested that lactic acid (LA) has a greater stability to react with chitosan. It was then verified experimentally that LA is a better solvent for chitosan due to the increase in its viscosity. The chemical interaction between CH and LA in solution favors the polymerization of films with better physical properties. We thereforeconclude that the uniformity in the formation of films of this polymer depends on the chemical interaction between the CH and the acid and not on the degree of solubility of the polymer

CAR T cell therapy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: Insights from mathematical models

Immunotherapies use components of the patient immune system to selectively target cancer cells. The use of CAR T cells to treat B-cell malignancies --leukaemias and lymphomas-- is one of the most successful examples, with many patients experiencing long-lasting complete responses to this therapy. This treatment works by extracting the patient's T cells and adding them the CAR group, which enables them to recognize and target cells carrying the antigen CD19+, that is expressed in these haematological tumors. Here we put forward a mathematical model describing the time response of leukaemias to the injection of CAR T-cells. The model accounts for mature and progenitor B-cells, tumor cells, CAR T cells and side effects by incorporating the main biological processes involved. The model explains the early post-injection dynamics of the different compartments and the fact that the number of CAR T cells injected does not critically affect the treatment outcome. An explicit formula is found that provides the maximum CAR T cell expansion in-vivo and the severity of side effects. Our mathematical model captures other known features of the response to this immunotherapy. It also predicts that CD19+ tumor relapses could be the result of the competition between tumor and CAR T cells analogous to predator-prey dynamics. We discuss this fact on the light of available evidences and the possibility of controlling relapses by early re-challenging of the tumor with stored CAR T cells

(Serie: Conservación y Manejo de Áreas Naturales Protegidas del Altiplano Mexicano)

El Programa de Manejo del Área Natural Protegida Parque Estatal Otomí – Mexica es un instrumento de planeación incluyente, dinámico, flexible y congruente con lo que establece el Código para la Biodiversidad del Estado de México (CBEM) y la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente (LGEEPA), teniendo como propósito cumplir con los objetivos de su decreto.El Programa de Manejo del Área Natural Protegida Parque Estatal Otomí – Mexica es un instrumento de planeación incluyente, dinámico, flexible y congruente con lo que establece el Código para la Biodiversidad del Estado de México (CBEM) y la Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente (LGEEPA), teniendo como propósito cumplir con los objetivos de su decreto.Gobierno del Estado de México Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México Colegio de Ciencias Geográficas del Estado de México, A. C

Disparate miRNA expression in serum and plasma of patients with acute myocardial infarction: a systematic and paired comparative analysis

Despite the promising value of miRNAs in the diagnostic and prognostic of cardiovascular disease (CVD), recent meta-analyses did not support their potential. Methodological variances in studies may interfere with miRNA profle and afect their results. This study determines if the blood starting material is a source of variance in miRNA profle by performing a paired comparison in plasma and serum of the expression of primary miRNAs associated with CVD. Circulating miRNA yield was similar in both plasma and serum, although a signifcant increase was observed in patients with Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) compared to control volunteers. When normalized by the expression of miR-484, diferent patterns of miRNA expression between serum and plasma. Although NSTEMI modifed the expression of miR-1 and miR-208 in both serum and plasma, plasma displayed a higher variance than serum (Levene's test p<0.01). For miR-133a and miR-26a, diferences were only detected in serum (p=0.0240), and conversely, miR-499a showed diferences only in plasma of NSTEMI (p=0.001). Interestingly, miR-21 showed an opposite pattern of expression, being increased in serum (2−ΔΔCt : 5.7, p=0.0221) and decreased in plasma (2−ΔΔCt : 0.5, p=0.0107). Plasma and serum exhibit diferent patterns of circulating miRNA expression in NSTEMI and suggest that results from studies with diferent starting material could not be comparable

Geno-and cytotoxicity induced on Cyprinus carpio by aluminum, iron, mercury and mixture thereof.

Metals such as Al, Fe and Hg are used in diverse anthropogenic activities. Their presence in water bodies is due mainly to domestic, agricultural and industrial wastewater discharges and constitutes a hazard for the organisms inhabiting these environments. The present study aimed to evaluate geno- and cyto- toxicity induced by Al, Fe, Hg and the mixture of these metals on blood of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. Specimens were exposed to the permissible limits in water for human use and consumption according to the pertinent official Mexican norm [official Mexican norm NOM-127-SSA1-1994] Al (0.2 mg L 1), Fe (0.3 mg L 1), Hg (0.001 mg L 1) and their mixture for 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Bio- markers of genotoxicity (comet assay and micronucleus test) and cytotoxicity (caspase-3 activity and TUNEL assay) were evaluated. Significant increases relative to the control group (po0.05) were observed in all biomarkers at all exposure times in all test systems; however, damage was greater when the metals were present as a mixture. Furthermore, correlations between metal concentrations and biomarkers of geno- and cytotoxicity were found only at certain exposure times. In conclusion, Al, Fe, Hg and the mixture of these metals induce geno- and cytotoxicity on blood of C. carpio.CONACyT-Mexico, Project 18154