Extracellular nucleotides

En la presente revisión se analizan el origen, el metabolismo y las acciones de los nucleótidos extracelulares. La investigación en este campo ha revelado que estos compuestos ejercen acciones similares a las hormonas sobre varios tipos de células tras su unión a receptores específicos. Estos descubrimientos son de interés no solo para el mejor conocimiento de numerosos procesos biológicos en los que se encuentran implicados, sino que también abren nuevas e interesantes expectativas terapéuticas.In this review we analyze the origin, metabolism and actions of extracellular nucleotides. The research in this field has revealed that these compounds exert a hormone like effect in various cell types by interacting with specific receptors. These findings are of interest not on1y for a betler understanding of the numerous biological processes in which they are involved but also because they open new and interesting therapeutics expectatives

Epigenome wide association study in peripheral blood of pregnant women identifies potential metabolic pathways related to gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of developing metabolic disorders in both pregnant women and their offspring. Factors such as nutrition or the intrauterine environment may play an important role, through epigenetic mechanisms, in the development of GDM. The aim of this work is to identify epigenetic marks involved in the mechanisms or pathways related to gestational diabetes. A total of 32 pregnant women were selected, 16 of them with GDM and 16 non-GDM. DNA methylation pattern was obtained from Illumina Methylation Epic BeadChip, from peripheral blood samples at the diagnostic visit (26–28 weeks). Differential methylated positions (DMPs) were extracted using ChAMP and limma package in R 2.9.10, with a threshold of FDR |5|% and B >0. A total of 1.141 DMPs were found, and 714 were annotated in genes. A functional analysis was performed, and we found 23 genes significantly related to carbohydrate metabolism. Finally, a total of 27 DMPs were correlated with biochemical variables such as glucose levels at different points of oral glucose tolerance test, fasting glucose, cholesterol, HOMAIR and HbA1c, at different visits during pregnancy and postpartum. Our results show that there is a differentiated methylation pattern between GDM and non-GDM. Furthermore, the genes annotated to the DMPs could be implicated in the development of GDM as well as in alterations in related metabolic variables.Juan Rodes program from "Instituto de Salud Carlos III" JR20-00040Miguel Servet Type I program from the ISCIII-Madrid, Spain CP20/00066Ministerio de trabajo y economia social de Espana FI19/00178 POEJ-0039-18Junta de Andalucia RC-0008-2021Centros de Investigacion Biomedica en Red" (CIBER) of the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) CB06/03/0018Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI18/01175 PI21/01864)Junta de Andalucia PI-0283-2018 PI-0419-2019European Commissio

Epigenetic marks associated with gestational diabetes mellitus across two time points during pregnancy

An adverse intrauterine or periconceptional environment, such as hyperglycemia during pregnancy, can affect the DNA methylation pattern both in mothers and their offspring. In this study, we explored the epigenetic profile in maternal peripheral blood samples through pregnancy to find potential epigenetic biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as candidate genes involved in GDM development. We performed an epigenome-wide association study in maternal peripheral blood samples in 32 pregnant women (16 with GDM and 16 non-GDM) at pregnancy week 24–28 and 36–38. Biochemical, anthropometric, and obstetrical variables were collected from all the participants. The main results were validated in an independent cohort with different ethnic origin (European = 307; South Asians = 165). Two hundred and seventy-two CpGs sites remained significantly different between GDM and non-GDM pregnant women across two time points during pregnancy. The significant CpG sites were related to pathways associated with type I diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and secretion. Cg01459453 (SELP gene) was the most differentiated in the GDM group versus non-GDM (73.6 vs. 60.9, p = 1.06E−11; FDR = 7.87E−06). Three CpG sites (cg01459453, cg15329406, and cg04095097) were able to discriminate between GDM cases and controls (AUC = 1; p = 1.26E−09). Three differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were replicated in an independent cohort. To conclude, epigenetic marks during pregnancy differed between GDM cases and controls suggesting a role for these genes in GDM development. Three CpGs were able to discriminate GDM and non-GDM groups with high specificity and sensitivity, which may be biomarker candidates for diagnosis or prediction of GDM.Juan Rodes program from "Instituto de Salud Carlos III" JR20-00040Miguel Servet Type I program from the ISCIII-Madrid, Spain CP20/00066PFIS program FI19/00178Ministerio de trabajo y economia social de EspanaGarantia Juvenil program POEJ-0039-18Junta de Andalucia RC-0008-2021Centros de Investigacion Biome-dica en Red" (CIBER)Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) CB06/03/0018Spanish Government PI18/01175 PI21/01864Servicio Andaluz de Salud," PI-0283-2018 PI-0419-2019European Union (EU

A Reanalysis of the Ancient Mitochondrial DNA Sequences Recovered from Neandertal Bones

Recent reports analyzing mitochondrial DNA sequences from Neandertal bones have claimed that Neandertals and modern humans are different species. The phylogenetic analyses carried out in these articles did not take into account the high substitution rate variation among sites observed in the human mitochondrial D-loop region and also lack an estimation of the parameters of the nucleotide substitution model. The separate phylogenetic position of Neandertals is not supported when these factors are considered. Our analysis shows that Neandertal-Human and Human-Human pairwise distance distributions overlap more than what previous studies suggested. We also show that the most ancient Neandertal HVI region is the most divergent when compared with modern human sequences. However, the opposite would be expected if the sequence had not been modified since the death of the specimen. Such incongruence is discussed in the light of diagenetic modifications in ancient Neandertal DNA sequences.Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica de España (DGICYT). BIO-1999- 065-C02-0

Modelado y simulación basada en agentes de hábitos de compra e ingesta de alimentos, en entornos de monitorización no intrusiva

En este artículo se presenta una simulación de hábitos de compra e ingesta, en un entorno de monitorización no intrusivo. Se busca aumentar la eficacia de las actuaciones sobre los hábitos alimentarios. La simulación se usa para obtener datos equivalentes a los que proporcionaría un entorno domiciliario de inventariado de productos alimentarios, soportado por tecnología RFID; y determinar las condiciones de mínimo muestreo que mejoren la fiabilidad de los datos de ingesta, en comparación con los que se obtienen a través de los cuestionarios de seguimiento, que se emplean en la actual metodología de valoración de calidad de la dieta

El tentaero : boceto lírico dramático en un prólogo y tres cuadros

Copia digital. Valladolid : Junta de Castilla y León. Consejería de Cultura y Turismo, 201

Design and validation of a questionnaire for the evaluation of educational experiences in the metaverse in Spanish students (METAEDU)

The aim of this study is to design and validate an instrument that allows the evaluation of educational experiences and formative assessment in the metaverse from a holistic perspective. Hence, a research design based on the development of a scale has been used. Three hundred and sixty-two Spanish secondary school students participated in the study, selected through purposive sampling. The instrument created has been subjected to an analysis of content validity, validity by expert judgment, construct validity, and reliability. For data analysis, the SPSS and AMOS programs have been used. An exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis have been performed to determine the construct validity. In addition, the Cronbach's alpha has been calculated to verify the internal consistency of the tool. The results reveal several findings that position the resulting questionnaire as a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate educational experiences and practices in the metaverse. In short, this study has led to the development of a comprehensive evaluation tool at the service of educators or any institution interested in implementing its educational praxis within the metaverse, a field of research that has yet to be explored.GOAL! Teaching Methodology for the Transformation of Learning in the METAVERSE 2211

Identification of the best-performing novel microbial strains from naturally-aged graffiti for biocleaning research

Microorganisms that can act as biocleaning agents can potentially be isolated from existing graffiti. In this study, a total of 30 different isolates of bacteria, fungi and yeasts were obtained from black, blue, red and silver graffiti coatings exposed outdoors conditions for 10 years. An additional strain was obtained from samples of black powdered graffiti exposed under laboratory conditions for 5 years. Each of the isolates from the most prolific sources (i.e. red and silver graffiti coatings and black powdered graffiti) was evaluated alone and in combination with Tween® 20, to determine their potential as biocleaning agents, in test tube assays. Two strains isolated from the red graffiti coating (identified as "Candida parapsilosis") and one strain isolated from the black powered graffiti (identified as "Rhodococcus erythropolis") performed best alone. The quantity of live cells throughout the trials and biofilm formation indicated that both strains were able to utilize the paint as a substrate. When the microorganisms isolated were combined with Tween® 20, the quantity of live cells increased notably throughout the incubation time, and turbidity and graffiti discoloration were observed. Infrared spectroscopic examination revealed that "R. erythropolis" performed the best alone, while the addition of Tween® 20 to "C. parapsilosis" enhanced the oxidative degradation of the graffiti.Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad | Ref. IJCI-2017-3277Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2018/3

Moving toward Smart Cities: Evaluation of the Self-Cleaning Properties of Si-Based Consolidants Containing Nanocrystalline TiO2 Activated by Either UV-A or UV-B Radiation

This study evaluated the self-cleaning ability and durability of Si-based consolidants (an ethyl silicate consolidant and a consolidant based on nanosized silica) spiked with nanocrystalline TiO2 activated by either UV-A radiation (spectral region between 340 and 400 nm, and main peak at 365 nm) or UV-B radiation (spectral region between 270 and 420 nm, and main peak at 310 nm). Granite samples were coated with consolidant, to which nanocrystalline TiO2 was added at different concentrations (0.5, 1, and 3%, by wt.). Diesel soot was then applied to the coated surfaces, and the samples were exposed to UV-A or UV-B radiation for 1650 h. The surface color changes, relative to the color of untreated granite, were determined every 330 h by color spectrophotometry. Slight color changes indicated a recovery of the reference color due to the degradation of the soot. The final surfaces of both the untreated and treated surfaces were compared by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The main findings were that: (1) In general, the consolidant containing nanosized silica induced the most intense photocatalytic activity. In the more compact xerogel coating formed by the nanosized silica, more TiO2 nanoparticles were available to interact with the radiation. (2) For all consolidant mixtures, soot degradation remained constant or decreased over time, except with ethyl silicate with 0.5 wt % TiO2 (no self-cleaning capacity). (3) Soot degradation increased with the concentration of TiO2. (4) The UV-B radiation was the most effective in terms of soot degradation, except for the surface coated with the ethyl silicate and 3% wt. TiO2J.S. Pozo-Antonio was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain (grant IJCI-2017-32771). P. Sanmartín is grateful for the financial support from the Xunta de Galicia (grant ED431C 2018/32). This research was performed within the framework of the teaching innovation group ODS Cities and Citizenship from University of Vigo (Spain)S

Determinación de ácido quinolínico en corteza renal de rata

Se describe una modificación al método descrito por McDaniel y col. (8) para la determinación de ácido quinolínico en diferentes tejidos animales. El método consiste en la extracción con ácido perclórico, adsorción selectiva sobre carbón activado y descarboxilación hasta ácido nicotínico, que se mide colorimétricamente. Con este método se han medido las concentraciones de ácido qUinolínico en corteza renal tras la administración de triptófano a las ratas, encontrándose que ninguno de los valores es suficiente para producir una inhibición de la fosfoenolpiruvato carboxicinasa y por tanto de la capacidad gluconeogénica renal.We have described a method based on McDaniel's (8) for the determination of quinolinic acid in several animal tissues. The method consist in the extraction of quinolinic acid, selective adsortion on activated charco al and decarboxylation to nicotinic acid which have been measured by colorimetric reaction. With this method we have measured the concentrations of quinolinic acid in rat renal cortex after the tryptophan injection to rato We have found that anyone of values is enough to make an inhibition of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase activity and t he renal gluconeogenic capacity