Wnt/β-catenin signaling stimulates the expression and synaptic clustering of the autism-associated Neuroligin 3 gene

Indexación: Scopus.Synaptic abnormalities have been described in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The cell-adhesion molecule Neuroligin-3 (Nlgn3) has an essential role in the function and maturation of synapses and NLGN3 ASD-associated mutations disrupt hippocampal and cortical function. Here we show that Wnt/β-catenin signaling increases Nlgn3 mRNA and protein levels in HT22 mouse hippocampal cells and primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. We characterized the activity of mouse and rat Nlgn3 promoter constructs containing conserved putative T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancing factor (TCF/LEF)-binding elements (TBE) and found that their activity is significantly augmented in Wnt/β-catenin cell reporter assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that endogenous β-catenin binds to novel TBE consensus sequences in the Nlgn3 promoter. Moreover, activation of the signaling cascade increased Nlgn3 clustering and co-localization with the scaffold PSD-95 protein in dendritic processes of primary neurons. Our results directly link Wnt/β-catenin signaling to the transcription of the Nlgn3 gene and support a functional role for the signaling pathway in the dysregulation of excitatory/inhibitory neuronal activity, as is observed in animal models of ASD.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-018-0093-y.pd

Land use and environmental factors affecting red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) hunting yields in southern Spain

The red-legged partridge is a small game species widely hunted in southern Spain. Its commercial use has important socioeconomic effects in rural areas where other agrarian uses are of marginal importance. The aims of the present work were to identify areas in Andalusia (southern Spain) where game yields for the red-legged partridge reach high values and to establish the environmental and land use factors that determine them. We analysed 32,134 annual hunting reports (HRs) produced by 6,049 game estates during the hunting seasons 1993/1994 to 2001/2002 to estimate the average hunting yields of red-legged partridge in each Andalusian municipality (n=771). We modelled the favourability for obtaining good hunting yields using stepwise logistic regression on a set of climatic, topographical, land use and vegetation variables that were available as digital coverages or tabular data applied to municipalities. Good hunting yields occur mainly in plain areas located in the Guadalquivir valley, at the bottom of Betic Range and in the Betic depressions. Favourable areas are related to highly mechanised, lowelevation areas mainly dedicated to intensive dry crops. The most favourable areas predicted by our model are mainly located in the Guadalquivir valley

Mobile phone: a tool that can serve as a support for the teaching of English in the public educational system in Costa Rica.

Esta monografía expone la utilidad del dispositivo móvil como una herramienta que puede servir de apoyo para la enseñanza del idioma inglés en el sistema público costarricense. El campo de interés de este trabajo está centrado en utilizar el teléfono móvil no solo como una fuente de información sino también como un recurso didáctico de apoyo a la docencia que integre el trabajo cooperativo, la autonomía, la autenticidad, la creatividad y el pensamiento crítico. Partiendo de los avances e iniciativas gubernamentales para implementar herramientas tecnologías en la clase de inglés, esta narración pretende proporcionar una metodología de integración práctica e innovadora para el docente de inglés en el sector público. Esta metodología se basa en los modelos modernos de integración de la Enseñanza de Lengua Asistida por Ordenador (ELAO) y su intención es ajustar la enseñanza del inglés a los avances tecnológicos actuales que se tienen a disposición, a los ambientes áulicos del sistema educativo público y a los intereses de la población estudiantil costarricense de hoy.This article presents the usefulness of the mobile device as a tool that can support the teaching of the English language in the Costa Rican public system. This paper aims on the use of the mobile phone not only as a source of information, but also as a didactic resource to integrate cooperative learning, self-autonomy, authenticity, creativity and critical thinking. Departing from the current governmental initiatives to implement technological tools in the English class, this work offers an integrative and innovative methodology for the English teacher in the public sector. This methodology focuses on the model of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) that intends to adjust and integrate to the available technological tools, classroom settings and students’ needs and interest

El teléfono móvil: ua herramienta que puede servir de apoyo para la enseñanza de inglés en el sistema educativo público costarricense

This article presents the usefulness of the mobile device as a tool that can support the teaching of the English language in the Costa Rican public system. This paper aims on the use of the mobile phone not only as a source of information, but also as a didactic resource to integrate cooperative learning, self-autonomy, authenticity, creativity and critical thinking. Departing from the current governmental initiatives to implement technological tools in the English class, this work offers an integrative and innovative methodology for the English teacher in the public sector. This methodology focuses on the model of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) that intends to adjust and integrate to the available technological tools, classroom settings and students’ needs and interest.Esta monografía expone la utilidad del dispositivo móvil como una herramienta que puede servir de apoyo para la enseñanza del idioma inglés en el sistema público costarricense. El campo de interés de este trabajo está centrado en utilizar el teléfono móvil no solo como una fuente de información sino también como un recurso didáctico de apoyo a la docencia que integre el trabajo cooperativo, la autonomía, la autenticidad, la creatividad y el pensamiento crítico. Partiendo de los avances e iniciativas gubernamentales para implementar herramientas tecnologías en la clase de inglés, esta narración pretende proporcionar una metodología de integración práctica e innovadora para el docente de inglés en el sector público. Esta metodología se basa en los modelos modernos de integración de la Enseñanza de Lengua Asistida por Ordenador (ELAO) y su intención es ajustar la enseñanza del inglés a los avances tecnológicos actuales que se tienen a disposición, a los ambientes áulicos del sistema educativo público y a los intereses de la población estudiantil costarricense de hoy

Portion control tableware differentially impacts eating behaviour in women with and without overweight

Portion control tableware has been described as a potentially effective approach for weight management, however the mechanisms by which these tools work remain unknown. We explored the processes by which a portion control (calibrated) plate with visual stimuli for starch, protein and vegetable amounts modulates food intake, satiety and meal eating behaviour. Sixty-five women (34 with overweight/obesity) participated in a counterbalanced cross-over trial in the laboratory, where they self-served and ate a hot meal including rice, meatballs and vegetables, once with a calibrated plate and once with a conventional (control) plate. A subsample of 31 women provided blood samples to measure the cephalic phase response to the meal. Effects of plate type were tested through linear mixed-effect models. Meal portion sizes (mean ± SD) were smaller for the calibrated compared with the control plate (served: 296 ± 69 vs 317 ± 78 g; consumed: 287 ± 71 vs 309 ± 79 g respectively), especially consumed rice (69 ± 24 vs 88 ± 30 g) (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). The calibrated plate significantly reduced bite size (3.4 ± 1.0 vs 3.7 ± 1.0 g; p < 0.01) in all women and eating rate (32.9 ± 9.5 vs 33.7 ± 9.2 g/min; p < 0.05), in lean women. Despite this, some women compensated for the reduced intake over the 8 h following the meal. Pancreatic polypeptide and ghrelin levels increased post-prandially with the calibrated plate but changes were not robust. Plate type had no influence on insulin, glucose levels, or memory for portion size. Meal size was reduced by a portion control plate with visual stimuli for appropriate amounts of starch, protein and vegetables, potentially because of the reduced self-served portion size and the resulting reduced bite size. Sustained effects may require the continued use of the plate for long-term impact

The Effect of Pre-Harvest Application of Pectic Oligosaccharides and Abscisic Acid on Technological Ripening and Anthocyanin Profile of ‘Syrah’ Must and Grapes Grown in a Warm Climate

The progressive increase of environmental temperature as a consequence of climate change is a challengefor the wine industry. Elevated temperatures during grape ripening affect the development of grape skincolor by inhibiting the synthesis of pigments and promoting their degradation, which causes an imbalancein the chromatic quality of must and red wine. The application of pectic oligosaccharides (POs) and abscisicacid (ABA) triggers the phenylpropanoid pathway and increases the color index in grapes. Since the atharvestpigments and phenolic compounds are determinant for wine quality, this work addressed the preharvestapplication of POs and ABA as an in-field strategy for improving the quality of Syrah must andgrapes grown in a warm climate. The color development, physicochemical parameters, phenolic content,and pigments in berries and must were evaluated. Results showed POs and ABA improved berry colordevelopment and anthocyanin content during ripening. Musts from POs-treated berries exhibited thehighest phenols concentration and the most intense color, related to higher chroma values and anthocyanincontent, particularly delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin 3-glucosides, while ABA improved must tonalityby reducing the hue angle. In summary, POs and ABA application at veráison, differentially modulatedthe technological ripening of Syrah grapes and can be an alternative to conventional agrochemicals topreserve the quality of musts elaborated from grapes grown in warm climates, by increasing the content ofphenolic compounds and enhancing berry skin color development through the differential accumulationof anthocyanins

Development and validation of a new methodological platform to measure behavioral, cognitive, and physiological responses to food interventions in real time

To fully understand the causes and mechanisms involved in overeating and obesity, measures of both cognitive and physiological determinants of eating behavior need to be integrated. Effectively synchronizing behavioral measures such as meal micro-structure (e.g., eating speed), cognitive processing of sensory stimuli, and metabolic parameters, can be complex. However, this step is central to understanding the impact of food interventions on body weight. In this paper, we provide an overview of the existing gaps in eating behavior research and describe the development and validation of a new methodological platform to address some of these issues. As part of a controlled trial, 76 men and women self-served and consumed food from a buffet, using a portion-control plate with visual stimuli for appropriate amounts of main food groups, or a conventional plate, on two different days, in a random order. In both sessions participants completed behavioral and cognitive tests using a novel methodological platform that measured gaze movement (as a proxy for visual attention), eating rate and bite size, memory for portion sizes, subjective appetite and portion-size perceptions. In a sub-sample of women, hormonal secretion in response to the meal was also measured. The novel platform showed a significant improvement in meal micro-structure measures from published data (13 vs. 33% failure rate) and high comparability between an automated gaze mapping protocol vs. manual coding for eye-tracking studies involving an eating test (ICC between methods 0.85; 90% CI 0.74, 0.92). This trial was registered at Clinical Trials.gov with Identifier NCT03610776

Gravity modeling of the lithosphere in the Calatrava Volcanic Province (Spain): geodynamic implications

The origin of the intraplate volcanism in the Calatrava Volcanic Province (CVP) is controversial. On the basis of its geochemical signature it has been ascribed to an “aborted” rift, implying lithospheric thinning. However, the volcanism occurred during the generalized Cenozoic NW−SE-oriented compressive tectonic regime. On the other hand, on the basis of evidence for its deep-seated origin, it has been linked to the existence of a baby-plume detached from an active megaplume below the Canary-Azores Islands and the western Mediterranean. In order to understand better the aforementioned geodynamic scenarios for the origin of the CVP, we address here the study of the lithosphere in the CVP and its vicinity by means of gravity analysis and 2+1/2D modeling. Gravity modeling results do not support the rifting model adopted for the intraplate volcanism occurred in the CVP because the crust shows a constant thickness. Density models suggest the existence of a sub-crustal, anomalous low-density block that could be underplated magmatic material at the base of the crust, suggesting that only a minor part of it intruded up into the crust and erupted. The localized magmatism of the CVP can be related to the combination of two factors: one active, the gentle folding of the Iberian lithosphere and associated uplifting of the Variscan basement due to the NW-directed transmission of compressive stresses in the upper plate yielded by the subduction/collision in the south Iberian margin. The formation of the lithospheric folding in the Calatrava region results in a decrease of the pressure beneath the swell of the antiform that is likely to bring about basaltic magmatism below the swell; and one passive, the existence of a Variscan right-lateral shear band, which yields a weakened  crust that facilitates the ascent of the magmatic materials. The relatively small volume, but large extension, of the volcanic outcrops could be associated with the preferential ascent of the magmas along the weakened crust of this NW−SE-trending Variscan shear band.El origen del volcanismo intraplaca en la Provincia Volcánica de Calatrava (CVP) es controvertido. En base a su signatura geoquímica se ha atribuido a la formación de un rift “abortado”, implicando un adelgazamiento litosférico. Sin embargo, el volcanismo se desarrolló durante un régimen tectónico compresivo orientado NW-SE que fue generalizado en la región de Calatrava durante el Cenozoico. Por otro lado, en base a las evidencias de su origen profundo, se le ha relacionado con la existencia de una mini-pluma desconectada de una mega-pluma activa debajo de los archipiélagos de Canarias y Azores, y en el Mediterráneo occidental. Con el propósito de contribuir a la discriminación entre los escenarios geodinámicos mencionados para el origen del volcanismo se ha abordado aquí el estudio de la litosfera en la CVP y en las zonas próximas mediante el análisis gravimétrico y la modelación 2+1/2D. Los modelos gravimétricos no apoyan el modelo de rifting adoptado para el volcanismo intraplaca ocurrido en la CVP porque el espesor de la corteza es cuasi-constante. Los modelos siguieren la existencia de un cuerpo anómalo sub-cortical de baja densidad que podría ser material magmático acrecionado y almacenado en la base de la corteza indicando que sólo una parte menor habría intruido en la corteza y producido erupciones. El volcanismo localizado de la CVP se puede relacionar con la combinación de dos factores: a) Un factor activo correspondiente a un amplio plegamiento de la litosfera (corteza) Ibérica y el consiguiente levantamiento asociado del basamento varisco debido a la transmisión hacia el NW de los esfuerzos compresivos en la placa superior de la subducción/colisión miocena en el margen meridional Ibérico. La formación del anticlinal a escala cortical en la región de Calatrava ha producido la disminución de la presión en el intrados del anticlinal y ha originado probablemente el magmatismo basáltico; b) Un factor pasivo correspondiente a la existencia de una banda de cizalla con dirección próxima a NW-SE, heredada de la deformación varisca, que localiza una zona de debilidad cortical favorecedora del ascenso del magmatismo