Beneficial effects of melatonin on liver fibrosis: A systematic review of current biological evidence

[EN] Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible response to either acute or chronic cellular injury froma wide variety of etiologies, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellularmatrix resulting in liver dysfunction and cirrhosis. Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine), the main product secreted by the pineal gland, is a multitaskingindolamine with important physiological functions such as anti‐inflammatory andantioxidant actions, modulation of circadian rhythms, and immune system enhance-ment. Among the numerous biological activities of melatonin, its antifibrotic effectshave received increasingly more attention. In this study, we performed a systematicreview of publications of the last 10 years evaluating the mechanisms of action ofmelatonin against liver fibrosis. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO(CRD42022304744). Literature research was performed employing PubMed,Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases, and after screening, 29 articleswere included. Results from the selected studies provided denoted the usefulactions of melatonin on the development, progression, and evolution of liver fibrosis.Melatonin antifibrotic effects in the liver involved the reduction of profibrogenicmarkers and modulation of several cellular processes and molecular pathways,mainly acting as an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent. In addition, theindolamine influenced different molecular processes, such as hepatocyte apoptosis,modulation of autophagy and mitophagy, restoration of circadian rhythms, andmodulation of microRNAs, among others. Although some limitations have beenfound regarding variability in the study design, the findings here summarized displaythe potential role of melatonin in ameliorating the development of liver fibrosis andits possible progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinomaS

COVID-19-related collapse of transplantation systems: A heterogeneous recovery?

The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has pushed healthcare systems to the limit worldwide. Hospital resources have been compromised, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). Regarding that, some nephrologists have alerted about the potential shortages of our ability to deliver kidney replacement therapy to all patients who need it (1). Simultaneously, two reports have highlighted the collapse of organ transplantation figures in several countries such as France (91%), the US (51%) and Spain (87%), mainly due to a reduction in the number of transplants from deceased donors

Teaching and Research of Academics in Mexico: Preferences and dedication according to the international survey APIKS

The objective of this paper is to analyze the preferences and time of dedication to teaching and research activities of different types of academics from Mexico who have been exposed, unequally, to public and institutional policies oriented mainly to stimulate and recognizes cientific productivity and, to a lesser extent, teaching. Based on the results of the international survey Academic Profession in the Knowledge-based Society (APIKS) answered by 4,631 academics from 127 higher education institutions (HEIs), changes are noted in terms of preference and dedication of full-time scholars to the activities they perform, compared to the previous survey, in accordance with the aspirations to receive the benefits of public policy programs that are aimed at this population. This preference for research has also permeated those hired as part-time professor, and it was even identified that 7% of this type of academic has recognition as a researcher.To carry out the project in Mexico, financial support was received from PADES 2019 from the Undersecretary of Higher Education of the country

Calculation of Response matrix of a BSS with 6LiI scintillator

The response matrix of a Bonner sphere spectrometer was calculated using MCNP 4C and MCNPX 2.4.0 codes. As thermal neutron detector a 0.4 cm £; 0.4 cm 6LiI which is located at the center of a set of polyethylene spheres. The response was calculated for 0, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12 inches-diameter polyethylene spheres for neutrons whose energy goes from 2.50E(-8) to 100 MeV. The response matrix was calculated for 23 neutron energies, the response functions were energy-interpolated to 51 neutron energies and were compared with a matrix response reported in the literature, in this comparison both response matrices are in agreement. The main differences were found in the bare detector and are attributed to the irradiation conditions and cross sections, for the other detectors the differences are due to the cross sections libraries

Evaluación de técnicas ionoméricas mediante pruebas de microfiltración

Objectives: An in vitro study which was assessed by testing the appropriate microfiltration protocol using a conventional ionomer cement with sandwich technique in Black’s cavities class I. Methods: 60 human premolars, which underwent standardized cavities. These were randomly divided into 4 groups of 15 teeth each: G1 had IVC Ketac Molar Easymix and G3 had Ionofil Plus respectively to the edge of the cavity and then to wear them in 24 hours, leaving 1mm cavity base and subsequently using phosphoric acid on both enamel and dentin. In G2 and G4 both were simultaneously conditioned with polyacrylic on dentin and phosphoric acid on enamel, followed by washing, drying and 1mm placement of IVC Ionofil Plus and Ketac Molar Easymix respectively. All groups received two layers of adhesive OneCoat S Bond Coltene, light cured for 30 seconds, finally Brillant Coltene resin was applied in an incremental technique polymerizing each layer for 20 seconds. After final polishing of the dental restorations, the premolars became subjected to 10,800 cycles of thermocycling for future placement in methylene blue and measuring the microfiltration with the use of a stereo microscope. Results: There were no differences in the number of steps, but did indicate a minimal discrepancy as to the material used, whereas Ketac Molar Easymix showed a lower degree of filtration. The results were corroborated with SEM images. Conclusions: The analysis made it possible to determine no difference between the two  ionomer materials placed using a closed sandwich technique in one or two stepsObjetivo: Evaluar mediante pruebas de microfiltración el protocolo adecuado de uso del cemento ionomérico convencional en técnica sándwich, en cavidades del tipo clase I de Black. Material y Método: Se emplearon 60 dientes premolares humanos, a los que se les realizó cavidades estandarizadas. Estos fueron divididos de manera aleatoria en 4 grupos de 15 dientes cada uno, en el G1 y G3 se colocó IVC Ketac Molar Easymix y Ionofil Plus respectivamente hasta el borde de la cavidad. Posteriormente acondicionando con ácido fosfórico en esmalte y dentina. En el G2 y G4 se acondicionó simultáneamente con ácido poliacrílico y fosfórico, dentina y esmalte respectivamente seguidos de lavado, secado y colocación de 1mm de IVC Ketac Molar Easymix y Ionofil Plus respectivamente. Todos los grupos recibieron dos capas de adhesivo OneCoat Bond S Coltene, fotopolimerizándolas durante 30 segundos. Finalmente se aplicó resina Brillant Coltene en una técnica incremental polimerizando 20 segundos cada capa

La Plataforma de Tortosa (Cuenca catalana) durante el Jurásico Medio: unidades litoestratigráficas, paleogeografía y ciclos ambientales

El presente trabajo constituye una guía de campo de un transecto de la Plataforma de Tortosa, en dirección SW-NE, desde el Estrecho de Beceite hacia las proximidades del Alto de Tarragona. Los afloramientos situados en las proximidades de Alfara, Tivenys, Llaberia y Cap Salou permiten reconocer las sucesivas unidades litoestratigráficas, así como las variaciones de espesor y facies en los distintos sectores, facilitando la reconstrucción paleogeográfica y secuencial de la Cuenca Catalana para este intervalo temporal, entre el Toarciense y el Oxfordiense. Los materiales del Jurásico Medio en la Cuenca Catalana forman una potente sucesión carbonática que sobrepasa los 350 m de potencia, y muestran una fuerte reducción de espesor hacia el norte (área de Llaberia) y el nordeste (el llamado Alto de Tarragona). Estos materiales han sido estudiados a partir de los datos de superficie (más de 30 perfiles estratigráficos) y de subsuelo (más de 30 sondeos petrolíferos). Se han reconocido tres formaciones que habían sido previamente definidas: la Fm. Sant Blai, preferentemente carbonatada (Toarciense inferior a Bajociense inferior), la Fm. Cardó, preferentemente margosa (Bajociense inferior a Bajociense superior), y la Fm. La Tossa, formada por calizas y dolomías (Bajociense superior a Calloviense medio). En la Fm. Sant Blai se distingue a su vez cinco miembros estratigráficamente sucesivos. Por encima de la Fm. La Tossa se desarrolla la Fm. Serra de la Creu, formada por calizas bioclásticas y peloidales (Oxfordiense medio a superior). Las variaciones de facies y de espesor son indicativas de que la sedimentación estuvo controlada por fracturas de basamento, que condicionaron el desarrollo de diversas plataformas carbonáticas así como sucesivos cambios relativos del nivel del mar. No obstante, las discontinuidades de mayor amplitud, localizadas en el Aaleniense (Biozona Murchisonae), en el límite Batboniense - Calloviense (Biozona Discus) y en el límite Calloviense - Oxfordiense, se encuentran también en la Cuenca Ibérica y fueron debidas a factores alocíclicos. Las profundidades relativas de estas áreas de plataforma epicontinental alcanzaron valores mínimos durante el desarrollo de estas tres discontinuidades mencionadas, que localmente pudieron corresponder a episodios prolongados de exposición subaérea. Los máximos valores batimétricos se alcanzaron durante el Bajociense superior (Biocrón Niortense) y durante el Oxfordiense medio (biocronos Schilli y Rotoides). Durante estos intervalos de máxima profundización relativa se registraron las únicas evidencias de colonización generalizada de la Cuenca Catalana por poblaciones de ammonites

Guía del Patrimonio Geológico de la Reserva de la Biosfera del Alto Bernesga

p. 1-237Conscientes del enorme valor de la Gea del Alto Bernesga, los autores proponemos un acercamiento a este territorio desde sus cimientos: el sustrato geológico que lo soporta físicamente y le da forma. Y lo hacemos describiendo el terreno, observando sus peculiaridades e interpretando las señales acuñadas en rocas y relieves, unas señales que nos permiten conocer el pasado de nuestras tierras y comprender el porqué de su forma actual. La visión naturalista que queremos transmitir no estaría completa si no aludiéramos también a la interacción entre los seres humanos y las rocas, una relación de milenios que ha dejado su profunda huella en el paisaje actual

A Multiple-Choice Maze-like Spatial Navigation Task for Humans Implemented in a Real-Space, Multipurpose Circular Arena.

Spatial navigation is a key aspect of human behavior and it is still not completely understood. A number of experimental approaches exist, although most of the published data in the last decades have relied on virtual maze on-screen simulation or not-completely freely moving 3D devices. Some interesting recent developments, such as circular mazes, have contributed to analyze critical aspects of freely moving human spatial navigation in real space, although dedicated protocols only allow for simple approaches. Here, we have developed both specifically designed and home-assembled hardware equipment, and a customized protocol for spatial navigation evaluation in freely moving humans in a real space circular arena. The spatial navigation protocol poses an imitation of a real-space multiple-choice path maze with cul-de-sac and instances of non-linear movement. We have compared the results of this system to those of a number of validated, both virtual and real, spatial navigation tests in a group of participants. The system composed by hardware, the test protocol, and dedicated measure analysis designed in our laboratory allows us to evaluate human spatial navigation in a complex maze with a small and portable structure, yielding a highly flexible, adaptable, and versatile access to information about the subjects’ spatial navigation abilities.P.M. was funded by a predoctoral fellowship (FPI) grant, PRE2020/093032, from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; E.C. was funded by a predoctoral fellowship (FPI) grant, BES-2017/080415, from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; P.T. was funded by a predoctoral fellowship (FPU) grant, 18/00069, from the Ministerio de Universidades. This research received no other external specific funding