Mitochondria in endothelial cells: Sensors and integrators of environmental cues

The involvement of angiogenesis in disease and its potential as a therapeutic target have been firmly established over recent decades. Endothelial cells (ECs) are central elements in vessel homeostasis and regulate the passage of material and cells into and out of the bloodstream. EC proliferation and migration are modified by alterations to mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics resulting from several signals and environmental cues, such as oxygen, hemodynamics, and nutrients. As intermediary signals, mitochondrial ROS are released as important downstream modulators of the expression of angiogenesis-related genes. In this review, we discuss the physiological actions of these signals and aberrant responses during vascular disorders.We thank M. M. Munoz-Hernandez and Dr Concepcion Jimenez for technical assistance, Keren Lopez Fernandez for the artwork in Fig. 1 and Simon Bartlett for English editing. This study was supported by MINECO: SAF2015-65633-R MSCA-COFUND-DP Doctoral programmes 2014. The CNIC is supported by MINECO and Pro-CNIC Foundation, and is a SO-MINECO (award SEV-2015-0505).S

Gremio, democracia y asociatividad: el Colegio de Periodistas de Chile ante los comunicadores de hoy.

La baja asociatividad que presenta el Colegio de Periodistas, plantea dudas respecto a la real vigilancia democrática e injerencia en la vida pública de un gremio debilitado. En efecto, la asociatividad de los profesionales es baja en comparación a gremios similares; registrando sólo un 2,9% del total de egresados en la Octava Región durante los últimos cinco años, cifra similar al resto del país. Esta realidad implica una responsabilidad de la propia entidad, por cuanto el colegio desconoce el creciente protagonismo de los periodistas en el ámbito organizacional y corporativo –de hecho un 64% de los profesionales de la región se desempeña en estas áreas-, existiendo una evidente despreocupación por cautivar y comprometer a aquéllos no vinculados al periodismo tradicional. En síntesis, la crisis de representatividad en que se encuentran los periodistas cuestiona su rol social, el carácter del Colegio y -más aún- la formación profesional misma.The low associability around Colegio de Periodistas, states serious doubts about the real democratic vigilance and influence into the public life of a weakened guild. In fact, the journalists’ associability is down compared to similar guilds, whit just a 2.9% to the total of graduates in the Eighth Region during last five years, similar quantity in the rest of the country. This reality implicates a responsibility from the Colegio de Periodistas, because the entity don’t know the journalists’ increasing leading into the organizational and corporative area – in fact, a 64% from the Eighth Region professionals work on these areas- showing an evident unconcern to charm and compromise to those non-linked at the traditional journalism. In summary, the journalists’ representatively crisis questions their social role, Colegio de Periodistas’ character and more over professional formation itself

Polarization Properties of the Solitons Generated in the Process of Pulse Breakup in Twisted Fiber Pumped by ns Pulses

Common optical fibers are randomly birefringent, and solitons formatting and traveling in them are randomly polarized. However, it is desirable to have solitons with a well-defined polarization. With pump relatively long pulses, the nonlinear effects of modulation instability (MI) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) are dominant at the initial stage of the process of supercontinuum (SC) generation; modulation instability results in pulse breakup and formation of short pulses that evolve finally to a bunch of solitons and dispersive waves. We do the research of the polarization of solitons formed by the pulse breakup process by the effect of modulation instability with pump pulses of nanoseconds in standard fiber (SMF-28) with circular birefringence introduced by fiber twist, and the twisted fiber mitigates the random linear birefringence. In this work, we found that polarization ellipticity of solitons is distributed randomly; nevertheless, the average polarization ellipticity is closer to the circular than the polarization ellipticity of the input pulse. In the experimental setup. 200 m of SMF-28 fiber twisted by 6 turns/m was used. We used 1 ns pulse to pump the fiber. The results showed that at circular polarization of the input pulse solitons at the fiber output have polarizations close to the circular, while in the fiber without twist, the soliton polarization was random

Delivery mode-associated gut microbiota in the first 3 months of life in a country with high obesity rates A descriptive study

Delivery methods during childbirth and their related gut microbiota profiles have important impacts on health later in life, they can contribute to the development of diseases such as obesity, whose highest prevalence rate is found among the Mexican child population. Coincidentally, Mexico has one of the highest global average annual rate increase in cesarean births (C-section). Since Mexico leads the world in childhood obesity, studying the relationship between childbirth delivery methods and gut microbiota profiles in this vulnerable population may be used to identify early risk factors for obesity in other developed and developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine the association between child delivery method and gut microbiota profiles in healthy Mexican newborns. Fecal samples of 57 term infants who participated in a randomized clinical trial in 2013 to study the safety ofAgavefructans in newborns, were used in this study. DNA samples were extracted and used to characterize the microbiota composition using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The samples were further divided based on childbirth delivery method, as well as early diet. Gut microbiota profiles were determined and analyzed using cluster analysis followed by multiple correspondence analysis. An unusual high abundance of Proteobacteria was found in the gut microbiota of all Mexican infants studied, regardless of delivery method. Feces from infants born by C-section had low levels of Bacteroidetes, high levels of Firmicutes, especiallyClostridiumandEnterococcus, and a strikingly high ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F:B). Profiles enriched in Bacteroidetes and low F:B ratios, were strongly associated with vaginal delivery. The profile of gut microbiota associated with feces from Mexican infants born by C-section, may be added to the list of boosting factors for the worrying obesity epidemic in Mexico

Polimorfizmy genu receptora witaminy D (TaqI oraz ApaI) oraz cyrkulacja osteokalcyny u pacjentów chorujących na cukrzycę typu 2 i osób zdrowych

  Introduction: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is encoded by the VDR gene. Several studies have supported that this gene is associated with diabetes. Heterodimer VDR/RXR functions as an enhancer of the BGLAP gene and increases the basal transcription rate of osteocalcin (OC) during osteoblast differentiation. OC is a regulator of glucose metabolism in mice. Moreover, OC level is decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although inversely correlated with serum glucose insulin and glycated haemoglobin, it is unclear whether OC reduction is caused by diabetes or plays a role in the pathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. In this study we analysed the association between TaqI and ApaI VDR gene polymorphisms and OC serum concentration in T2D subjects. Material and methods: Patients underwent clinical and nutritional assessment. Genomic DNA was extracted from leucocytes using a standard salting-out procedure. The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. ELISA was used to measure OC and insulin concentrations. Results: Association between TT genotype of TaqI polymorphism and low levels of OC was observed only in the population with overweight and obesity. No association between TaqI and ApaI polymorphisms and T2D was observed (p > 0.05). Furthermore, in T2D subjects, no correlation between ApaI and TaqI genotypes and age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), glucose, or OC was observed. Conclusions: The TT genotype of TaqI VDR gene polymorphism was correlated with low levels of OC in overweight and obese subjects. However, TaqI and ApaI VDR gene polymorphisms were not associated with T2D. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 329–333)    Wstęp: Receptor witaminy D (VDR) kodowany jest przez gen VDR. Kilka badań potwierdziło, że gen ten jest związany z cukrzycą. Heterodimer VDR/RXR funkcjonuje jako stymulator genu BGLAP i zwiększa podstawowy wskaźnik transkrypcji osteokalcyny (OC) podczas różnicowania osteoblastów. Osteokalcyna jest regulatorem metabolizmu glukozy u myszy. Ponadto, stężenie OC jest obniżone u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 (T2D). Pomimo odwrotnej korelacji między stężeniem OC a stężeniem glukozy i insuliny w surowicy, a także hemoglobiną glikowaną, nie jest wiadome czy obniżenie stężenia OC jest wywołane przez cukrzycę lub odgrywa rolę w patogenezie i/lub progresji choroby. W niniejszym badaniu autorzy przeanalizowali związek pomiędzy polimorfizmami genów VDR TaqI oraz ApaI, a także stężenie OC w surowicy u pacjentów z T2D. Materiał i metody: Pacjentów poddano ocenie klinicznej i żywieniowej. Genomowe DNA pobrano z leukocytów dzięki standardowej procedurze wysalania. Polimorfizmy genotypowano metodą PCR-RFLP. Testem ELISA zmierzono stężenia OC oraz insuliny. Wyniki: Związek pomiędzy genotypem TT polimorfizmu TaqI a niskim stężeniem OC zaobserwowano jedynie u populacji z nadwagą i otyłością. Nie wykazano związku pomiędzy polimorfizmami TaqI i ApaI oraz T2D (p > 0,05). Co więcej, u pacjentów z T2D nie wykazano korelacji pomiędzy genotypami ApaI i TaqI oraz wiekiem, płcią, wskaźnikiem masy ciała (BMI), glukozą lub OC. Wnioski: Genotyp TT polimorfizmu genu VDR TaqI jest skorelowany z niskim stężeniem OC u pacjentów z nadwagą i otyłością. Jednakże, polimorfizmy genu VDR TaqI i ApaI nie są związane z T2D. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 329–333)

Application of a Big Data Framework for Data Monitoring on a Smart Campus

At present, university campuses integrate technologies such as the internet of things, cloud computing, and big data, among others, which provide support to the campus to improve their resource management processes and learning models. Integrating these technologies into a centralized environment allows for the creation of a controlled environment and, subsequently, an intelligent environment. These environments are ideal for generating new management methods that can solve problems of global interest, such as resource consumption. The integration of new technologies also allows for the focusing of its efforts on improving the quality of life of its inhabitants. However, the comfort and benefits of technology must be developed in a sustainable environment where there is harmony between people and nature. For this, it is necessary to improve the energy consumption of the smart campus, which is possible by constantly monitoring and analyzing the data to detect any anomaly in the system. This work integrates a big data framework capable of analyzing the data, regardless of its format, providing effective and efficient responses to each process. The method developed is generic, which allows for its application to be adequate in addressing the needs of any smart campus

Critical Nitrogen and Nutritive Index in Cultivars of Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach) Morrone

Objective: to determine and compare the parameters of the nitrogen curve and the nutritive nitrogen index of cultivars of C. purpureus with and without nitrogen fertilization. Design / methodology / approach: Five cultivars of C. purpureus were evaluated, with or without fertilization, the dose was 141-43-20. The grass was harvested every 21 days with production of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N). Growth rates and Critical Nitrogen (Nc) were obtained. The negative power equation was used with its parameters Nc and the Nitrogen Decrease Coefficient (Cd). The Nutritive Nitrogen Index (INN) was obtained with the Nc parameter of each curve, divided by the N content of the cultivar in each sampling. The data were analyzed with a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 5 (cultivars) and 2 (with or without fertilization). Results: The results of the cultivars show a Nc of 2.6 and a Cd of 0.65 fertilized and 1.14 of Nc and 0.68 of Cd without fertilization, in turn all of them supplemented the amount of N for their soil growth. The INN for the fertilized cultivars was 0.8 with classification of excess and sufficient for the first 56 days. Limitations of the study / implications: The variables to determine the availability of water and the balance of N, soil-plant, would further expand the knowledge of these tools. Findings / conclusions: the parameters obtained such as Nc and INN help us to determine the nutritional status of forages.Objective: To determine and compare the parameters of the nitrogen curve and the nutritive nitrogen index of cultivars of Cenchrus purpureus with and without nitrogenous fertilization.Design/Methodology/Approach: Five cultivars of C. purpureus with or without fertilization were evaluated, and the dose was 141N-43P-20K. The grass was harvested every 21 d with production of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N). Growth rates and Critical Nitrogen (Nc) were obtained. The negative power equation with its parameters Nc and the Nitrogen Decrease Coefficient (Cd) were used. The Nutritive Nitrogen Index (NNI) was obtained with the Nc parameter of each curve, divided by the N content of the cultivar in each sampling. The data were analyzed with a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of five (cultivars) and two levels of fertilization. Results: Nc of 2.6 and a Cd of 0.65 fertilized, and 1.14 of Nc and 0.68 of Cd without fertilization, and in turn all of them supplemented the amount of N for their growth from soil. The NNI was 0.8 for the fertilized cultivars, with classification of excess and sufficient for the first 56 d. Study Limitations/Implications: Variables to determine the availability of water and the balance of soil-plant N could further expand the knowledge of these tools. Findings/Conclusions: Parameters obtained such as Nc and NNI help to determine nutritional status of the fodders

Diálogo de vivires y prácticas de resistencia en organizaciones sociales y educativas

Este trabajo surge de la problematización iniciada en el ProiPro: “Diálogo de saberes y educación”, que hoy tiene su continuidad en el proyecto “Diálogo de vivires y prácticas de resistencia en organizaciones sociales y educativas”. En ese proceso de investigación colectiva realizamos dos desplazamientos. El primero, de la categoría diálogo de saberes - abordada desde un plano de análisis teórico bibliográfico- a la de diálogo de vivires -donde se pone en juego la vida misma-; con este corrimiento fue posible tensionar el discurso con su anclaje en las experiencias. El segundo desplazamiento, de la categoría educación a la de prácticas de resistencia en organizaciones sociales y educativas. Si bien el concepto educación, nos permitió un acercamiento amplio a la temática; fue necesario sustituirlo por el de prácticas de resistencia, marginales a las de la academia pero existentes en nuestro contexto, porque aparecían recurrentemente en nuestros estudios. Al finalizar el trabajo, se plantean algunos interrogantes que se desprenden del proceso colectivo.Fil: Masi, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz Rodríguez, Laura Mariela. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Psicología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Navarro, Luciana Andrea. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Melto, Luciana María. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Enriquez, Pedro Gregorio. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Hodara, Ivana Edith. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Reveco, Cristian. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Vannucci, María Leticia. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, Sergio. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Arce, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas; Argentin

Un estudio de estereotipos de género en alumnado de secundaria en el marco de Proyecto Meitner

[ES] Este artículo presenta Proyecto Meitner como una acción de divulgación científica diseñada para abordar, entre otras cuestiones, la problemática de las mujeres en Física a través de las artes escénicas. Se presenta, también, un estudio de sesgos y estereotipos de género en ciencia realizado al alumnado de los centros de secundaria de la Comunitat Valenciana que participaron en dos sesiones matinales de la obra de teatro Proyecto Meitner. Se utilizó un cuestionario que rellenaron 134 estudiantes estudiantes antes de las funciones. Las respuestas revelan una perpetuación de los estereotipos asociados al personal científico, definido principalmente como muy inteligente, culto, occidental, hombre, mayor, solitario y con bata. Además, el alumnado encuestado cree que los chicos tienen mejores aptitudes que las chicas para las carreras universitarias aun cuando las capacidades en ambos casos son las mismas