Bases genéticas, moleculares y bioquímicas del envejecimiento auditivo ¿Qué nos enseñan los modelos experimentales

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) affects one in three people older than 65 years and is the most prevalent sensorineural deficit. This type of hearing loss precedes and accelerates the onset of cognitive impairment and is associated with an increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer disease. The onset and progression of ARHL is influenced by genetic factors, which are still poorly understood, and environmental factors, which in particular include exposure to excessive noise and ototoxic substances. At present, no effective drug treatments are available for ARHL prevention or treatment, and therefore research in this field is a priority. In the research field, animal models offer a crucial tool for i) identifying new genes associated with ARHL, ii) understanding the cellular and molecular basis of auditory ageing and iii) defining new therapeutic targets and evaluating candidate treatments.La presbiacusia afecta a una de cada tres personas mayores de 65 años y constituye el déficit neurosensorial más prevalente. Antecede a la aparición de la fragilidad cognitiva, la acelera y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de padecer enfermedades neurodegenerativas como la demencia o el Alzheimer. La aparición y evolución de la presbiacusia están influidas por factores genéticos, todavía poco conocidos, y ambientales, entre los que destacan la exposición a ruido excesivo o a sustancias ototóxicas. En la actualidad no disponemos de tratamientos farmacológicos eficaces para prevenir o tratar la presbiacusia, por lo que la investigación en este campo es prioritaria. En este contexto, los modelos animales son una herramienta esencial para: a) identificar nuevos genes de presbiacusia, b) comprender las bases celulares y moleculares del envejecimiento auditivo, y c) definir nuevas dianas terapéuticas y evaluar posibles tratamientos

Alergia a drogas de abuso

El Cannabis es la droga ilegal más consumida por los jóvenes. Es posible que la respuesta inmune y la toxicidad a las mismas estén relacionadas y que el organismo responda con un mecanismo tóxico-inmunológico.El cannabis posee alérgenos que provocan una respuesta inmune en el organismo y puede ser un importante alergeno en gente consumidora. Dada la exposición social, médica y ocupacional cada vez más frecuente a Cannabis sativa, se ha producido un aumento de la frecuencia de las reacciones alérgicas que, sin embargo, no se ha visto acompañada del deseado aumento de conocimiento sobre la reactividad IgE de alergenos a Cannabis. No obstante, recientemente hemos identificado la secuencia peptídica madura de la proteína de transferencia lipídica (LTP) y del estudio de la reactividad a IgE de un Can s3 recombinante (rCan s 3), ha sido posible sintetizar un ADN complementario a partir del ARN de hojas de Cannabis sativa L. spp sativa cv. Kompolti procedentes del jardín botánico de la Universidad de Bonn, que ha sido útil el el diagnóstico y prevención de la alergia a cannabis.En otro estudio extractos de Papaver somníferum se han utilizado el el diagnóstico de alergia a opioides.Due to the increasing social, medical, and occupational exposure to illicit drugs as cannabis and heroin, extracts from Cannabis sativa and Papaver somníferum were tested in allergic and drugs abusers people. The frequency of allergic reactions is growing but little is known about the IgE-reactivity of singledrugs allergens. To identify the mature peptide sequence of the lipid transfer protein (LTP) and to study the IgE-binding reactivity of a recombinant Can s 3 (rCan s 3), a cDNA was synthesized from total RNA of leaves from Cannabis sativa L. ssp. sativa cv. Kompolti obtained from the botanical garden of the University Bonn. The amplification of the LTP gene was performed with a primer mix deduced from published amino acid sequences.To determine the diagnostic accuracy of specific antibodies to morphine, codeine, rocuronium and oil body and aqueous fractions of Papaver somniferum seeds were used in the diagnosis and prevention of allergy to opioids

Near surface geophysical analysis of the Navamuño depression (Sierra de Béjar, Iberian Central System): Geometry, sedimentary infill and genetic implications of tectonic and glacial footprint

The geometric and genetic characterization of the Navamuño depression peatland system (Iberian Central System) is presented here using results from a geophysical survey. This depression is a ~30 ha pseudo-endorheic flat basin over granitic bedrock. Three geophysical techniques were used to map the subsurface geology, and identify and describe the infill sequence: shallow seismic refraction (SR), magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) and electrical resistivity measurements (VES and ERT). The three main geoelectrical layers (G1, G2, G3) identified in previous research, have also been identified in the present work. Using the data obtained in this new research we have been able to analyse these three geological layers in detail and reinterpret them. They can be grouped genetically into two sedimentary units: an ancient sedimentary body (G3), of unknown age and type, beneath an Upper Pleistocene (G2) and Holocene (G1) sedimentary infill. The facies distribution and geometry of the Upper Pleistocene was examined using the Sequence Stratigraphy method, revealing that the Navamuño depression was an ice-dammed in the last glacial cycle resulting in glaciolacustrine sedimentation. A highly permeable sedimentary layer or regolith exists beneath the glaciolacustrine deposits. Below 40 m depth, water content falls dramatically down to a depth of 80 m where unweathered bedrock may be present. The information obtained from geophysical, geological and geomorphological studies carried out in this research, enabled us to consider various hypotheses as to the origin of this depression. According to these data, the Navamuño depression may be explained as the result of a transtensional process from the Puerto de Navamuño strike-slip fault during the reactivation of the Iberian Central System (Paleogene-Lower Miocene, Alpine orogeny), and can be correlated with the pull-apart type basins described in these areas. The neotectonic activity of this fault and the icedammed processes in these areas during the Last Glacial Cycle (MIS2) were the main causes of recent sedimentary infill in this depression

Bases moleculares de la colonización de la raíz de aguacate utilizando la cepa modelo de biocontrol Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606.

La rizosfera de las plantas proporciona un ambiente rico en nutrientes que atrae de manera selectiva a la microbiota del suelo circundante. Algunos de los microorganismos que colonizan las raíces de las plantas ejercen un efecto beneficioso sobre estas, fomentando el crecimiento vegetal o brindándoles protección frente a diferentes agentes patógenos. De esta forma, la colonización bacteriana de la rizosfera es considerada como uno de los mecanismos principales para el establecimiento de las interacciones beneficiosas planta-bacteria, jugando un papel clave en el estado fitosanitario y la productividad de las plantas. Sin embargo, todavía existen muchos interrogantes sobre las bases moleculares que regulan esta interacción compleja. Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 (PcPCL1606) es una bacteria aislada de las raíces de la planta de aguacate que muestra una potente actividad antagonista y de control biológico frente a diferentes hongos fitopatógenos de suelo como Rosellinia necatrix y Fusarium oxysporum, así como una colonización eficiente de la raíz de aguacate. Con el objetivo de descifrar los determinantes genéticos responsables de la interacción de PcPCL1606 con la rizosfera del aguacate, se ha llevado a cabo la construcción de una librería de 10.000 mutantes mini-Tn5-gfp de la cepa silvestre. La capacidad de colonización de estos mutantes se ha analizado utilizando dos modelos vegetales diferentes, semillas de tomate y raíces de aguacate, centrándonos en aquellos mutantes que tienen afectada su capacidad de colonización. La caracterización de los mutantes mediante el análisis de fenotipos relevantes relacionados con el proceso de colonización, junto con la identificación de los genes interrumpidos, proporcionará información esencial para descifrar las bases moleculares de la colonización de la raíz de aguacate utilizando como modelo PcPCL1606.Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento, Convocatoria 2021. PID2021-123713OB-I00. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Evaluation of Glycerylphytate Crosslinked Semi- and Interpenetrated Polymer Membranes of Hyaluronic Acid and Chitosan for Tissue Engineering

In the present study, semi- and interpenetrated polymer network (IPN) systems based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan using ionic crosslinking of chitosan with a bioactive crosslinker, glycerylphytate (G1Phy), and UV irradiation of methacrylate were developed, characterized and evaluated as potential supports for tissue engineering. Semi- and IPN systems showed significant differences between them regarding composition, morphology, and mechanical properties after physicochemical characterization. Dual crosslinking process of IPN systems enhanced HA retention and mechanical properties, providing also flatter and denser surfaces in comparison to semi-IPN membranes. The biological performance was evaluated on primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the systems revealed no cytotoxic effect. The excellent biocompatibility of the systems was demonstrated by large spreading areas of hMSCs on hydrogel membrane surfaces. Cell proliferation increased over time for all the systems, being significantly enhanced in the semi-IPN, which suggested that these polymeric membranes could be proposed as an effective promoter system of tissue repair. In this sense, the developed crosslinked biomimetic and biodegradable membranes can provide a stable and amenable environment for hMSCs support and growth with potential applications in the biomedical field.The authors thanks to “La Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434), which supported Ana Mora-Boza (scholarship code LCF/BQ/ES16/11570018) and to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financial support (project RTC-2016-5451-1) and the Fundación Mutua Madrileña (project FMM-AP17196-2019). M. R. Aguilar and B. Vázquez-Lasa are members of the SusPlast platform (Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics towards a Circular Economy) from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

The Benzú rockshelter: a Middle Palaeolithic site on the North African coast

The rockshelter of Benzu ´ has a Middle–Upper Pleistocene stratigraphic sequence with ten levels, seven with evidence of human occupation. Speleothems have been dated by U/Th and the sedimentary levels by OSL and TL, showing that the sequence extends from 250 ka to 70 ka. In this paper, we summarise the results of geomorphology, chronostratigraphy and excavation, and provide preliminary results on the pollen, faunal and lithic remains. The location of the site on the North African coast of the Strait of Gibraltar offers the potential to throw light on contacts and relationships between prehistoric communities in North Africa and the South Iberian Peninsula, for whom the Strait may have served as a bridge rather than a barrier

Nuevo adorno-colgante grabado magdaleniense del yacimiento de Aizkoltxo (Mendaro, Gipuzkoa)

Engraved pendants are one of the most well-known ornaments used by hunter-gatherers during the Magdalenian. In this paper, we present a new pendant found in the cave of Aizkoltxo (Mendaro, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country). This object was carefully engraved with both figurative –a red deer hind and two aquatic zoomorphs– and non-figurative depictions –X-shaped motifs and simple lines– on a halved rib where a single perforation was produced bipolar drilling. It has been dated to the Final Magdalenian, a moment when the site was heavily used, judging by the abundance of lithics, osseous industry, and faunal remains found. The significance of this object does not lie in its uniqueness but in the similarities it has with others in the Cantabrian region (Valle and El Pendo) and southern France (Lortet, La Vache, Arancou, and Chaffaud). This is both because of the bone used, a rib, and the decoration it displays. The marine animals depicted point towards a commonality in the symbolic code of this chronological horizon, indicating ties between the different groups that lived in Western Europe between 16.500 and 13.000 cal BP.Los adornos-colgantes son uno de los ornamentos más utilizados por los cazadores recolectores durante el Magdaleniense. En este artículo presentamos uno nuevo recuperado de la cueva de Aizkoltxo (Mendaro, Gipuzkoa) grabado cuidadosamente con representaciones tanto figurativas –una cierva y dos zoomorfos marinos– como no figurativas –aspas y trazos simples– en una lámina de una costilla en la que se practicó una única perforación hecha por rotación bipolar. Ha sido datada en el Magdaleniense Final, un momento en el que el yacimiento fue muy frecuentado a juzgar por la abundancia de industria lítica, ósea y restos faunísticos localizados. La importancia de este objeto no radica en su singularidad sino en las similitudes que presenta con otros en la región cantábrica (Valle y El Pendo) y el sur de Francia (Lortet, La Vache, Arancou y Chaffaud). Esto se debe tanto al soporte, costilla, como a la decoración. Los animales marinos apuntan a afinidades en el código simbólico de esta cronología, indicando lazos entre los diferentes grupos que vivieron en Europa occidental entre hace 16.500 y 13.000 años cal BP

Allergic hypersensitivity to cannabis in patients with allergy and illicit drug users

Producción Científica: Cannabis is the illicit drug most widely used by young people in high-income countries. Allergy symptoms have only occasionally been reported as one of the adverse health effects of cannabis use. Objectives: To study IgE-mediated response to cannabis in drug users, atopic patients, and healthy controls. Methods: Asthmatic patients sensitised to pollen, and all patients sensitised to tobacco, tomato and latex, considered as cross-reacting allergens, were selected from a data base of 21,582 patients. Drug users attending a drug-rehabilitation clinic were also included. Controls were 200 non-atopic blood donors. Specific IgE determination, prick tests and specific challenge with cannabis extracts were performed in patients and controls

Papel de un clúster de genes con homología a un posible pili tipo IV en la biología y el control biológico de Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606

Comunicación a congreso en formato pósterLa cepa modelo Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1606 (PcPCL1606) es una bacteria asociada a la rizosfera de las plantas de aguacate. Esta rizobacteria muestra una marcada capacidad de antagonismo y control biológico frente a diferentes hongos fitopatógenos de suelo, incluido Rosellinia necatrix, agente causal de la podredumbre blanca radicular en cultivos de aguacate en el área Mediterránea. La actividad de control biológico viene mediada, principalmente, por la producción de la molécula antifúngica 2-hexil, 5-propil resorcinol (HPR). Además, HPR también interviene en procesos como la colonización de las raíces, la formación de biopelículas y las interacciones multitróficas en la rizosfera, lo que indica una actividad reguladora adicional. Datos previos obtenidos en un estudio transcriptómico para identificar los genes regulados por HPR, revelaron la inducción de un clúster de genes durante la interacción con la rizosfera de aguacate. Este clúster presenta homología con genes que codifican un posible pili tipo IV Flp/ Tad (por sus siglas en inglés Tight Adherence), descrito previamente por su implicación en la adhesión temprana. Para estudiar el papel de esta región génica en la biología de PcPCL1606, se construyó un mutante dirigido por deleción en los genes que codifican para la principal proteína estructural de este pili y se validó su fenotipo con respecto a la cepa silvestre. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian la importancia de este clúster de genes en la adhesión y la formación de la biopelícula, ambos procesos relacionados con el control biológico y la colonización de PcPCL1606 en las raíces de la planta de aguacate.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por las ayudas I+D+i del Programa Operativo FEDER Andalucía (UMA18-FEDERJA-046); y la Universidad de Málaga. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Late glacial and post-glacial deposits of the Navamuno peatbog (Iberian Central System): Chronology and paleoenvironmental implications

The Navamuno peatbog (Sierra de Bejar, western Spain) is a ~14 ha pseudo-endorheic depression with boundaries defined by a lateral moraine of the Cuerpo de Hombre paleoglacier and fault-line scarps on granite bedrock. The stratigraphy of the Navamu~no peatbog system is characterized here using borehole data to a depth of 20 m. An integrated interpretation from direct-push coring, dynamic probing boreholes and handheld auger drillings advances our knowledge of the Navamu~no polygenetic infill. Correlating this data with those obtained in other studies of the chronology and evolutionary sequence of the Cuerpo de Hombre paleoglacier has enabled us to establish the sequence of the hydrological system in the Navamuno depression. During the Late Pleistocene (MIS2), the depression was dammed by the Cuerpo de Hombre glacier and fed by its lateral meltwaters, and was filled with glaciolacustrine deposits. The onset of the Holocene in Navamuno is linked to a flat, fluviotorrential plain with episodes of local shallow pond/peat bog sedimentation. This evolutionary sequence is congruent with the age model obtained from available radiocarbon dating, obtaining 19 ages from ~800 cal yr BP (at depth 1.11 m) to ~16800 cal yr BP (at depth 15.90e16.0 m). Finally, the sedimentary record enabled interpretation of the environmental changes occurring in this zone during the late glacial (from the Older Dryas to the Younger Dryas) and postglacial (Holocene) stages, placing them within the paleoclimatic context of the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean regions