Circuit-selective cell-autonomous regulation of inhibition in pyramidal neurons by Ste20-like kinase

Maintaining an appropriate balance between excitation and inhibition is critical for neuronal information processing. Cortical neurons can cell-autonomously adjust the inhibition they receive to individual levels of excitatory input, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We describe that Ste20-like kinase (SLK) mediates cell-autonomous regulation of excitation-inhibition balance in the thalamocortical feedforward circuit, but not in the feedback circuit. This effect is due to regulation of inhibition originating from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, while inhibition via somatostatin-expressing interneurons is unaffected. Computational modeling shows that this mechanism promotes stable excitatory-inhibitory ratios across pyramidal cells and ensures robust and sparse coding. Patch-clamp RNA sequencing yields genes differentially regulated by SLK knockdown, as well as genes associated with excitation-inhibition balance participating in transsynaptic communication and cytoskeletal dynamics. These data identify a mechanism for cell-autonomous regulation of a specific inhibitory circuit that is critical to ensure that a majority of cortical pyramidal cells participate in information coding

Participation in biocultural diversity conservation : insights from five Amazonian examples

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MThe past three decades have seen the emergence of myriads of initiatives focused on conserving, revitalizing, and maintaining Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) as part of biocultural approaches to conservation. However, the extent to which these efforts have been participatory has been often overlooked. In this chapter, we focus on five prominent ILK conservation initiatives in the Amazon Basin to examine the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in ILK conservation. Our review illustrates several examples of ILK conservation initiatives offering substantial opportunities for meaningful IPLC participation over the long term. Overall, our case studies suggest that the development of robust and inclusive decision-making processes is essential to optimize IPLC participation in ILK conservation, thereby increasing the legitimacy of these initiatives. Our review is not an exhaustive account of the breadth and depth of all initiatives promoting participatory biocultural conservation in this region, but it illustrates that there are many strategies that can help foster IPLC engagement and lead the participatory turn in biocultural conservation

Revision of Tympanopleura Eigenmann (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with description of two new species

The Neotropical catfish genus Tympanopleura, previously synonymized within Ageneiosus, is revalidated and included species are reviewed. Six species are recognized, two of which are described as new. Tympanopleura is distinguished from Ageneiosus by having an enlarged gas bladder not strongly encapsulated in bone; a prominent pseudotympanum consisting of an area on the side of the body devoid of epaxial musculature where the gas bladder contacts the internal coelomic wall; short, blunt head without greatly elongated jaws; and smaller adult body size. Species of Tympanopleura are distinguished from each other on the basis of unique meristic, morphometric, and pigmentation differences. Ageneiosus melanopogon and Tympanopleura nigricollis are junior synonyms of Tympanopleura atronasus. Tympanopleura alta is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura brevis. A lectotype is designated for T. brevis. Ageneiosus madeirensis is a junior synonym of Tympanopleura rondoni. Tympanopleura atronasus, T. brevis, T. longipinna, and T. rondoni are relatively widespread in the middle and upper Amazon River basin. Tympanopleura cryptica is described from relatively few specimens collected in the upper portion of the Amazon River basin in Peru and the middle portion of that basin in Brazil. Tympanopleura piperata is distributed in the upper and middle Amazon River basin, as well as in the Essequibo River drainage of Guyana

Ulcera de Mooren bilateral: una catástrofe no anunciada. Reporte de caso

Introducción: La úlcera de Mooren presenta una baja incidencia a nivel mundial, siendo aún más raros los casos de presentación bilateral. Por ello se presenta este caso con fines académicos, al ser una patología corneal rara, que requiere de manejo interdisciplinario, ya que incluso podría comprometer la vida del paciente.Objetivo: Describir el caso clínico de un paciente con Úlcera de Mooren bilateral.Diseño del estudio: Reporte de casoResumen del caso: Se reporta un caso de un paciente de 35 años, quien consulta con dolor ocular asociado a una lesión corneal periférica superficial en su ojo derecho. Se llega al diagnóstico luego de un adecuado examen clínico y de laboratorio descartando los principales diagnósticos diferenciales, se inicia tratamiento el cual no es satisfactorio y un año después consulta con iguales síntomas en su ojo izquierdo.Conclusión: La úlcera de Mooren es una patología corneal, poco frecuente, dolorosa, de probable etiología autoinmune, sin embargo existen factores predisponentes que pueden desencadenarla. Requiere de manejo interdisciplinario, siendo el pilar del tratamiento los inmunomoduladores, y la combinación de tratamiento médico y quirúrgico, siempre con el fin de preservar la estructura y función ocular

Design of a batch reactor with a capacity to produce 1 ton / biochar day from empty fruit bunch and sludge wasted from the process of obtaining palm oil.

Colombia es el cuarto productor de palma de aceite globalmente y es el primero en el continente americano produciendo en el 2017 más de 1.600.000 toneladas. En el proceso de extracción del aceite crudo de palma se generan grandes cantidades de subproductos: racimos de frutos secos (RFV), fibras, lodos de piscinas de oxidación y cenizas. Aceites S.A. se encuentra interesada en la financiación de proyectos donde se aprovechen los subproductos de la producción del aceite de palma, con el fin de darles valor agregado para ser comercializados o reutilizados en la planta para generación de energía u otras aplicaciones. La carbonización hidrotermal (HTC) es un proceso termoquímico que convierte biomasa en biochar mediante la exposición de la mezcla biomasa-agua a altas condiciones de temperaturas y presión saturada por varias horas. El biochar producto de este proceso de carbonización es fácil de manejar, con buenas propiedades de deshidratación y al secarse adecuadamente alcanza poder calorífico elevados. Dicho producto puede ser implementado para el acondicionamiento de los suelos, material de combustión y demás aplicaciones ambientales, electroquímicas y catalíticas. La materia prima utilizada en la línea de proceso de HTC es raquis y lodos, los cuales son productos derivados de la producción de aceite de palma africana. El objetivo principal del proyecto es el diseño mecánico de un reactor por lotes para producción de 1 tonelada por día en una planta piloto de carbonización hidrotermal ubicada en la planta de producción de aceite de palma. El diseño del reactor se realiza de acuerdo con las recomendaciones e instrucciones del código ASME BPVC Sección VIII División 1. Con la ejecución del proyecto de diseño de la planta piloto de carbonización hidrotermal se busca establecer si es viable económica y técnicamente la implementación de un proceso de producción a escala industrial de biochar para el aprovechamiento de los subproductos de la extracción del aceite de palma.Colombia is the fourth producer of oil palm globally and is the first in the American continent producing more than 1,600,000 tons in 2017. In the process of extracting crude palm oil, large quantities of by-products are generated: empty fruit bunch (RFV), fibers, sludge from oxidation pools and ash. Oils S.A. is interested in financing projects that take advantage of the by-products of palm oil production, to give them added value to be commercialized or reused in the plant for power generation or other applications. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a thermochemical process that converts biomass into biochar by exposing the biomass-water mixture at high temperatures and saturated pressure for several hours. The biochar product of this carbonization process is easy to handle, with good dehydration properties and when dried properly it reaches high calorific value. Said product can be implemented for the conditioning of floors, combustion material and other environmental, electrochemical and catalytic applications. The raw material used in the HTC process line is empty fruit bunch (EFB) and sludge, which are products derived from the production of African palm oil. The main objective of the project is the mechanical design of a batch reactor for production of 1 ton per day in a pilot hydrothermal carbonization plant located in the palm oil production plant. The design of the reactor is carried out in accordance with the recommendations and instructions of the code ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1. With the execution of the design project of the hydrothermal carbonization pilot plant, it is sought to establish if it is economically and technically feasible to implement a process of production on an industrial scale of biochar for the exploitation of the by-products of the extraction of palm oil