Galanin and Neuropeptide Y Interaction Enhances Proliferation of Granule Precursor Cells and Expression of Neuroprotective Factors in the Rat Hippocampus: Role in depression and memory

Neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y1 receptor (Y1R) and galanin (GAL) receptor 2 (GALR2) interact in brain regions responsible for mood control and learning and memory processes, emphasizing the hippocampus. The current study assesses the sustained memory performance and antidepressive-like effects induced by GALR2 and NPYY1R agonists coadministration and their neurochemical hippocampal correlates. Object-in-place task and forced swimming test were conducted together with in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) to manifest the formation of GALR2/Y1R heteroreceptor complexes. We evaluated cell proliferation through a 5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and PCNA expression study within the hippocampus. The GalR2 agonist M1145 and GAL were demonstrated to act with the Y1R agonist to improve memory retrieval and antidepressive-like actions at 24 hours in both tasks, enhancing the cell proliferation in the DG of the hippocampus through BrdU and PCNA expression and the GALR2/Y1R heteroreceptor complexes upon agonist coactivation. Our results may provide the basis for developing heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores targeting Y1R-GALR2 heterocomplexes. It involves especially the neuronal precursor cells of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus for the novel treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or depression.Supported by the UMA18-FEDERJA-100 and Proyecto Jovenes Investigadores (B1-2019_04) and Proyecto Puente (B4-2021) UMA , Spain to MN. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Galanin and Neuropeptide Y Interaction Enhances Proliferation of Granule Precursor Cells and Expression of Neuroprotective Factors in the Rat Hippocampus with Consequent Augmented Spatial Memory

Dysregulation of hippocampal neurogenesis is linked to several neurodegenereative diseases, where boosting hippocampal neurogenesis in these patients emerges as a potential therapeutic approach. Accumulating evidence for a neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) interaction was shown in various limbic system regions at molecular-, cellular-, and behavioral-specific levels. The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the role of the NPY and GAL interaction in the neurogenic actions on the dorsal hippocampus. We studied the Y1R agonist and GAL effects on: hippocampal cell proliferation through the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the expression of neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic factors, and the survival of neurons and neurite outgrowth on hippocampal neuronal cells. The functional outcome was evaluated in the object-in-place task. We demonstrated that the Y1R agonist and GAL promote cell proliferation and the induction of neuroprotective factors. These effects were mediated by the interaction of NPYY1 (Y1R) and GAL2 (GALR2) receptors, which mediate the increased survival and neurites’ outgrowth observed on neuronal hippocampal cells. These cellular effects are linked to the improved spatial-memory effects after the Y1R agonist and GAL co-injection at 24 h in the object-in-place task. Our results suggest the development of heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores, targeting Y1R–GALR2 heterocomplexes, therefore acting on the neuronal precursor cells of the DG in the dorsal hippocampus for the novel therapy of neurodegenerative cognitive-affecting diseasesThis research was funded by the UMA18-FEDERJA-100 (Junta de Andalucía), Proyecto Jovenes Investigadores (B1-2019-04), Proyecto puente (B4-2021-06), Universidad de Málaga, Spain, to M.N. Swedish Medical Research Council, Sweden (62X-00715-50-3), to K.F., by Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist Byggmästare to K.F., and by Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02018-0286), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02019-0296), and Karolinska Institutet Forskningsstiftelser, Sweden, to D.O.B.-E. D.O.B.-E. belongs to the “Academia de Biólogos Cubanos” group, Cuba. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Comparative study of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) as a treatment for retinal dystrophies

Retinal dystrophies (RD) are major causes of familial blindness and are characterized by progressive dysfunction of photoreceptor and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of two pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based therapies. We differentiated RPE from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and transplanted them into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. Once differentiated, cells from either source of PSC resembled mature RPE in their morphology and gene expression profile. Following transplantation, both hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells maintained the expression of specific RPE markers, lost their proliferative capacity, established tight junctions, and were able to perform phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. Remarkably, grafted areas showed increased numbers of photoreceptor nuclei and outer segment disk membranes. Regardless of the cell source, human transplants protected retina from cell apoptosis, glial stress and accumulation of autofluorescence, and responded better to light stimuli. Altogether, our results show that hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells survived, migrated, integrated, and functioned as RPE in the RCS rat retina, providing preclinical evidence that either PSC source could be of potential benefit for treating RD

Ruling Frameworks and Fire Use‐Conflicts in Tropical Forests of Chiapas, Mexico: A Discourse Analysis

The use of fire within tropical forests to settle agriculture and livestock systems has long been causing a bottle-neck for governmental and environmental development agencies, especially in natural forested areas with local population. An international strategy followed since many years ago is the decree of special territories with vast forests as natural protected areas (NPA). In Mexico, environmental laws can run contrary to customs and practices of natural resource-dependent communities which still use fire to farm their lands as unique livelihood activity. The chapter examines two conflicting frameworks of resource management (forest and soil) and governance in a forest village’s efforts to comply with federal policies against fires in a NPA of Chiapas, Mexico. Forest and soil management is a key locus in California village, where governance structures come into conflict with hierarchical State power. Participatory workshops and semi-structured interviews were primary research instruments for data collection and discovery of community front and backstage. Ethnography and discourse analysis were used as main tools for the analysis of information. While the State leads the conservation efforts and limits cultural activities and local actions through coercive laws, the land use and resource-dependent communities defend their access rights, and they also determine how to individual or collectively manage fires in daily activities. Finding collective solutions with horizontal-dialogue strategies represent an important issue and a pending task for the development and preservation agencies focused on forested areas. Backstage dialogue is a tool for village self-preservation when livelihood strategies are at odds with protectionist conservation efforts

Biomass Accumulation and Carbon Storage in Pinus maximinoi, Quercus robur, Quercus rugosa, and Pinus patula from Village- Forests of Chiapas, Mexico

The Frailesca region (Chiapas, Mexico) presents a lack of forest studies and its environmental contribution. This chapter displays a first case study with preliminary research information regarding the identification of main forest trees and rural villages with best potential for biomass production and carbon storage management. Twenty two plots of 500 m2 were selected in 11 villages of the region, in order to identify the main and dominant forest trees species and then to estimate the biomass production and carbon storage in pine (Pinus maximinoi), oak (Quercus robur), holm oak (Quercus rugosa) and Mexican weeping pine (Pinus patula) species. This study shows that the largest accumulation of both biomass and carbon occurred in the pine forests and the lowest in the oak forests. Pine trees showed carbon storage of 516.75 Mg ha−1, followed by holm oaks, with 297.21 Mg ha−1; the species with the lowest value was oak, with 75.02 Mg ha−1. The forests of the 24 de Febrero villages had the highest potential for carbon storage. Deep studies are being conducted in relation to the aboveground biomass, carbon contents in trees stem, branches and leaves, and the relation to biomass dynamics and carbon stocks and other ecological aspects of village-forests

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Comparative study of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) as a treatment for retinal dystrophies

Retinal dystrophies (RD) are major causes of familial blindness and are characterized by progressive dysfunction of photoreceptor and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of two pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based therapies. We differentiated RPE from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and transplanted them into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. Once differentiated, cells from either source of PSC resembled mature RPE in their morphology and gene expression profile. Following transplantation, both hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells maintained the expression of specific RPE markers, lost their proliferative capacity, established tight junctions, and were able to perform phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. Remarkably, grafted areas showed increased numbers of photoreceptor nuclei and outer segment disk membranes. Regardless of the cell source, human transplants protected retina from cell apoptosis, glial stress and accumulation of autofluorescence, and responded better to light stimuli. Altogether, our results show that hESC- and hiPSC-derived cells survived, migrated, integrated, and functioned as RPE in the RCS rat retina, providing preclinical evidence that either PSC source could be of potential benefit for treating RD

Salmea scandens (Asteraceae) extracts inhibit the growth of Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria solani pathogens of tomato: Salmea scandens extracts inhibit the growth of tomato pathogens

Tomatoes are affected by fungi of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria, reducing the quantity and quality of the fruit.Since plant extracts are an alternative for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, the antifungal effect of Salmea scandens extracts was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria solani and the functional groups of the chemical constituents were identified.The aqueous extracts were obtained by three techniques (soxhlet, assisted ultrasound and maceration) and three solvents (water, acetone and ethyl ether), these were evaluated against F. oxysporum in poisoned medium and A. solani in tomato fruit. The functional groups were identified by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. The best extraction technique for S. scandenswas soxhlet with all three solvents. Maceration-acetone extracts at concentrations of 4000 and 5000 ppm showed increased antifungal activity against F. oxysporum and A. solani. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones and aromatic compounds as the possible responsible for the antifungal activity.S. scandensextracts have a high potential to be used as a preventive treatment in the control of F. oxysporum and A. solani. Highlights The highest mass/volume extraction efficiency yield was with the soxhlet technique using water as a solvent. Extracts obtained by maceration-acetone technique, caused the strongest Fusarium oxysporum inhibition. The maceration-acetone extract at 5000 ppm, showed higher inhibition of A. solani mycelial growth than the commercial fungicide Hymexazol.Tomatoes are affected by fungi of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria, reducing the quantity and quality of the fruit.Since plant extracts are an alternative for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, the antifungal effect of Salmea scandens extracts was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria solani and the functional groups of the chemical constituents were identified.The aqueous extracts were obtained by three techniques (soxhlet, assisted ultrasound and maceration) and three solvents (water, acetone and ethyl ether), these were evaluated against F. oxysporum in poisoned medium and A. solani in tomato fruit. The functional groups were identified by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. The best extraction technique for S. scandenswas soxhlet with all three solvents. Maceration-acetone extracts at concentrations of 4000 and 5000 ppm showed increased antifungal activity against F. oxysporum and A. solani. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones and aromatic compounds as the possible responsible for the antifungal activity.S. scandensextracts have a high potential to be used as a preventive treatment in the control of F. oxysporum and A. solani. Highlights The highest mass/volume extraction efficiency yield was with the soxhlet technique using water as a solvent. Extracts obtained by maceration-acetone technique, caused the strongest Fusarium oxysporum inhibition. The maceration-acetone extract at 5000 ppm, showed higher inhibition of A. solani mycelial growth than the commercial fungicide Hymexazol