Sex Hormones: Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Addiction

The brain is a complex organ in charge of regulating the homeostasis of our body and behaviors such as motivation, reward, memory, and movement control, between others. These behaviors are regulated by dopaminergic neurons, which can be modulated by several stimuli throughout the life of an individual. For example, early exposure to sex hormones or endocrine disruptors during critical period of neuronal development affects dopaminergic pathways permanently, producing some disorders such as drug addiction. On the other hand, current knowledge regarding neurodegeneration in Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases pointed out the neuroprotection that estradiol can exert, but contradictory information can also be found in the literature. To know the underlying mechanisms that are related to the above mentioned diseases will help to improve health policies and treatments development

Empleo de VANT para determinar fallas superficiales en pavimentos flexibles

The objective of this study is to evaluate the surface faults present in a flexible pavement of approximately 500 m  length through the use of UAV and to demonstrate the capacity of the images captured with it. This is an applied technological research and the quantitative approach was usedfor its development  The methodology focused on three stages, planning the study area, data collection and processing, and analysis of results. The sample was random, with 13 types of potholes and fissures. Data were obtained at an elevation of 40 meters high, capturing images every 2 seconds. The processing was done through photogrammetric software based on the SfM (Structure from Motion) algorithm. As a result, it is observed that the difference between measurements ranges from 0.17 to 5 cm. The standard deviation of the set of samples was 2.32 cm. The ability of UAV imaging for surface fault extraction was demonstrated. This system provides precise measurements of deterioration geometry, which  allows the improvement of road condition monitoring.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las fallas superficiales presentes en un pavimento flexible de aproximadamente 500 m de longitud mediante el uso de VANT y demostrar la capacidad de las imágenes capturadas. La investigación es de tipo aplicada tecnológica y el enfoque que se utilizó fue cuantitativo. La metodología se centró en tres etapas: inicialmente, la planificación de la zona de estudio, luego la recolección y procesamiento de datos, para culminar con el análisis de resultados. La muestra de estudio fue aleatoria, con 13 tipos de baches y fisuras sobre el pavimento. Los datos se obtuvieron a una elevación de 40 m capturando imágenes cada 2 s. El procesamiento se hizo a través de un software fotogramétrico basado en el algoritmo SfM. Como resultado, se aprecia que la diferencia entre las mediciones visuales y las obtenidas por SIG oscila entre 0,17 y 5 cm. La desviación estándar del conjunto de muestras fue de 2,32 cm. Se demostró la capacidad de la imagen capturada con VANT para la extracción de distintas fallas superficiales. Este sistema proporciona una medición detallada y precisa de la ruta de la carretera y de la geometría del bache, y, por lo tanto, mejora la eficiencia del monitoreo del estado de la carretera

Programming of Dopaminergic Neurons by Early Exposure to Sex Hormones: Effects on Morphine-Induced Accumbens Dopamine Release, Reward, and Locomotor Behavior in Male and Female Rats

Neonatal programming with sex hormones produces long-term functional changes in various tissues, including the brain. Previously, we demonstrated a higher content of dopamine and an increase in potassium-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens of adult rats exposed to estradiol valerate. On the other hand, sex hormones also affect the opioid system increasing the expression of the μ opioid receptor and β-endorphins. Here, we investigated if neonatal programming with sex hormones alters the response to morphine during adulthood in rats and predispose them to neurochemical, rewarding and behavioral activating effects. We examined the effects of neonatal exposure to a single dose of estradiol valerate or testosterone propionate on morphine-induced (5 mg/kg, i.v.) dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and morphine-induced (3 mg/kg, s.c.) locomotor activity and conditioned place preference when these rats were adults. Our results showed a significant increase in morphine-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens of rats that were exposed neonatally to estradiol compared with control rats. This effect was correlated with higher place preference and locomotor activity induced by morphine in adult rats neonatally exposed to estradiol valerate. However, the effect of morphine on dopamine release and behaviors was similar in rats treated with testosterone compared to control rats. Additionally, the expression of mu (μ) opioid receptor, dopamine receptor type 1 (D1) and dopamine receptor type 2 (D2) in the nucleus accumbens of adult rats was not different after treatment with sex hormones. Taken together, our results demonstrated an enhancement of pharmacological effects produced by morphine in rats neonatally programmed with estradiol valerate, suggesting that early exposure to sex hormones could represent a vulnerability factor in the development of addiction to opioid drugs such as morphine and heroin in adulthood

UFR2709, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, decreases ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring rats

Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), a heterogeneous family of pentameric acetylcholine-gated cation channels, have been suggested as molecular targets for the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence. Here, we examined the effect of the competitive nAChR antagonist UFR2709 on the alcohol consumption of high-alcohol-drinking UChB rats. UChB rats were given free access to ethanol for 24-h periods in a two-bottle free-choice paradigm and their ethanol and water intake were measured. The animals were i.p injected daily for 17 days with a 10, 5, 2.5 or 1 mg/kg dose of UFR2709. Potential confounding motor effects of UFR2709 were assessed by examining the locomotor activity of animals administered the highest dose of UR2709 tested (10 mg/kg i.p.). UFR2709 reduced ethanol consumption and ethanol preference and increased water consumption in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective dose of UFR2709 was 2.5 mg/kg, which induced a 56% reduction in alcohol consumption. Administration of UFR2709 did not affect the weight or locomotor activity of the rats, suggesting that its effects on alcohol consumption and preference were mediated by specific nAChRs

Empleo de VANT para determinar fallas superficiales en pavimentos flexibles

The objective of this study is to evaluate the surface faults present in a flexible pavement of approximately 500 m  length through the use of UAV and to demonstrate the capacity of the images captured with it. This is an applied technological research and the quantitative approach was usedfor its development  The methodology focused on three stages, planning the study area, data collection and processing, and analysis of results. The sample was random, with 13 types of potholes and fissures. Data were obtained at an elevation of 40 meters high, capturing images every 2 seconds. The processing was done through photogrammetric software based on the SfM (Structure from Motion) algorithm. As a result, it is observed that the difference between measurements ranges from 0.17 to 5 cm. The standard deviation of the set of samples was 2.32 cm. The ability of UAV imaging for surface fault extraction was demonstrated. This system provides precise measurements of deterioration geometry, which  allows the improvement of road condition monitoring.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las fallas superficiales presentes en un pavimento flexible de aproximadamente 500 m de longitud mediante el uso de VANT y demostrar la capacidad de las imágenes capturadas. La investigación es de tipo aplicada tecnológica y el enfoque que se utilizó fue cuantitativo. La metodología se centró en tres etapas: inicialmente, la planificación de la zona de estudio, luego la recolección y procesamiento de datos, para culminar con el análisis de resultados. La muestra de estudio fue aleatoria, con 13 tipos de baches y fisuras sobre el pavimento. Los datos se obtuvieron a una elevación de 40 m capturando imágenes cada 2 s. El procesamiento se hizo a través de un software fotogramétrico basado en el algoritmo SfM. Como resultado, se aprecia que la diferencia entre las mediciones visuales y las obtenidas por SIG oscila entre 0,17 y 5 cm. La desviación estándar del conjunto de muestras fue de 2,32 cm. Se demostró la capacidad de la imagen capturada con VANT para la extracción de distintas fallas superficiales. Este sistema proporciona una medición detallada y precisa de la ruta de la carretera y de la geometría del bache, y, por lo tanto, mejora la eficiencia del monitoreo del estado de la carretera