Insulin Induces Relaxation and Decreases Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Vasoconstriction in Human Placental Vascular Bed in a Mechanism Mediated by Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels and L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathways

Insulin induces relaxation in umbilical veins, increasing the expression of human amino acid transporter 1 (hCAT-1) and nitric oxide synthesis (NO) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Short-term effects of insulin on vasculature have been reported in healthy subjects and cell cultures; however, its mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of acute incubation with insulin on the regulation of vascular tone of placental vasculature. HUVECs and chorionic vein rings were isolated from normal pregnancies. The effect of insulin on NO synthesis, L-arginine transport, and hCAT-1 abundance was measured in HUVECs. Isometric tension induced by U46619 (thromboxane A analog) or hydrogen peroxide (HO) were measured in vessels previously incubated 30 min with insulin and/or the following pharmacological inhibitors: tetraethylammonium (KCa channels), iberiotoxin (BKCa channels), genistein (tyrosine kinases), and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase). Insulin increases L-arginine transport and NO synthesis in HUVECs. In the placenta, this hormone caused relaxation of the chorionic vein, and reduced perfusion pressure in placental cotyledons. In vessels pre-incubated with insulin, the constriction evoked by HO and U46619 was attenuated and the effect on HO-induced constriction was blocked with tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin, but not with genistein, or wortmannin. Insulin rapidly dilates the placental vasculature through a mechanism involving activity of BKCa channels and L-arginine/NO pathway in endothelial cells. This phenomenon is related to quick increases of hCAT-1 abundance and higher capacity of endothelial cells to take up L-arginine and generate NO

2011-2012 UNLV McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program Table of Contents Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Statements: Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach McNair Scholars Institute Staf

Characterization of Developmental Pathway of Natural Killer Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro

In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is often used to study hematopoiesis. However, the differentiation pathway of lymphocytes, in particular natural killer (NK) cells, from ES cells is still unclear. Here, we used a multi-step in vitro ES cell differentiation system to study lymphocyte development from ES cells, and to characterize NK developmental intermediates. We generated embryoid bodies (EBs) from ES cells, isolated CD34(+) EB cells and cultured them on OP9 stroma with a cocktail of cytokines to generate cells we termed ES-derived hematopoietic progenitors (ES-HPs). EB cell subsets, as well as ES-HPs derived from EBs, were tested for NK, T, B and myeloid lineage potentials using lineage specific cultures. ES-HPs derived from CD34(+) EBs differentiated into NK cells when cultured on OP9 stroma with IL-2 and IL-15, and into T cells on Delta-like 1-transduced OP9 (OP9-DL1) with IL-7 and Flt3-L. Among CD34(+) EB cells, NK and T cell potentials were detected in a CD45(−) subset, whereas CD45(+) EB cells had myeloid but not lymphoid potentials. Limiting dilution analysis of ES-HPs generated from CD34(+)CD45(−) EB cells showed that CD45(+)Mac-1(−)Ter119(−) ES-HPs are highly enriched for NK progenitors, but they also have T, B and myeloid potentials. We concluded that CD45(−)CD34(+) EB cells have lymphoid potential, and they differentiate into more mature CD45(+)Lin(−) hematopoietic progenitors that have lymphoid and myeloid potential. NK progenitors among ES-HPs are CD122(−) and they rapidly acquire CD122 as they differentiate along the NK lineage

Characterization in vitro and in vivo of a pandemic H1N1 influenza virus from a fatal case

Pandemic 2009 H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza viruses caused mild symptoms in most infected patients. However, a greater rate of severe disease was observed in healthy young adults and children without co-morbid conditions. Here we tested whether influenza strains displaying differential virulence could be present among circulating pH1N1 viruses. The biological properties and the genotype of viruses isolated from a patient showing mild disease (M) or from a fatal case (F), both without known co-morbid conditions were compared in vitro and in vivo. The F virus presented faster growth kinetics and stronger induction of cytokines than M virus in human alveolar lung epithelial cells. In the murine model in vivo, the F virus showed a stronger morbidity and mortality than M virus. Remarkably, a higher proportion of mice presenting infectious virus in the hearts, was found in F virus-infected animals. Altogether, the data indicate that strains of pH1N1 virus with enhanced pathogenicity circulated during the 2009 pandemic. In addition, examination of chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) genotype, recently reported as involved in severe influenza virus disease, revealed that the F virus-infected patient was homozygous for the deleted form of CCR5 receptor (CCR5Δ32).Funding Statement: This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Programa especial de investigación sobre la gripe pándemica GR09/0023, GR09/0040, GR09/0039) and Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S

El ecoturismo como alternativa socioeconómica en la parroquia rural Carlos Concha Torres”

Bone Zuniga, Roxy Pamela; "El ecoturismo como alternativa socioeconómica en la parroquia rural Carlos Concha Torres” ;(ix) 89 p. : Tesis previa obtención del título de Ingeniera en Administración de Empresas Hoteleras y Turísticas. 2014El presente estudio es una aproximación del aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales que existe en la Parroquia Carlos Concha y en las parroquias aledañas, teniendo presente que desde algún tiempo la gran mayoría de los habitantes en las parroquias rurales por desconocimiento de las potencialidades Eco turísticas que tienen a su alrededor, tienden a emigrar a otros sectores de la provincia en busca de mejores días y encontrar fuentes de ingresos que le permita una mejor calidad de vida. Es importante que la gente que habita en la Parroquia Carlos Concha tenga presente que es elemental aprovechar los recursos naturales siempre y cuando no perjudique al ecosistema. La conservación del medio ambiente debe considerarse como un sistema de medidas sociales, socioeconómicas y técnico-productivas dirigidas a la utilización racional de los mismos. Los recursos naturales son los elementos y fuerzas de la naturaleza que el hombre puede utilizar y aprovechar. Estos recursos representan fuentes de riqueza para la explotación económica. Por ello el desarrollo del anteproyecto de tesis en esta zona es importante para poder identificar las distintas actividades eco turísticas que se pueden realizar en estos lugares y así lograr que haya más visitantes. Considerando que en el cantón no se ha desarrollado la experiencia planificada del ecoturismo y es una oportunidad para demostrarle a la gente que en Esmeraldas no solo se puede practicar el turismo de sol y Playa, si no brindar nuevas alternativas turísticas. El medio natural de la Parroquia Carlos Concha, prevé el entorno necesario para el mejoramiento de la economía de las familias que habitan en el sector siempre y cuando se conserve la flora y fauna que existe en el lugar; además Carlos Concha cuenta con un bosque húmedo tropical no visitado que está dentro de la reserva Ecológica Mache-Chindul. La implementación de las actividades de ecoturismo en la Parroquia Carlos Concha, servirá de provecho para la gente que habita en este lugar evitaría que emigren a buscar fuentes de trabajo a otros lugares

Aging, Senescence, and Dementia

The underlying processes occurring in aging are complex, involving numerous biological changes that result in chronic cellular stress and sterile inflammation. One of the main hallmarks of aging is senescence. While originally the term senescence was defined in the field of oncology further research has established that also microglia, astrocytes and neurons become senescent. Since age is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, it is reasonable to argue that cellular senescence might play a major role in Alzheimer's disease. Specific cellular changes seen during Alzheimer's disease are similar to those observed during senescence across all resident brain cell types. Furthermore, increased levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins such as IL-6, IGFBP, TGF-beta and MMP-10 have been found in both CSF and plasma samples from Alzheimer's disease patients. In addition, genome-wide association studies have identified that individuals with Alzheimer's disease carry a high burden of genetic risk variants in genes known to be involved in senescence, including ADAMIO, ADAMTS4, and BIN1. Thus, cellular senescence is emerging as a potential underlying disease process operating in Alzheimer's disease. This has also attracted more attention to exploiting cellular senescence as a therapeutic target. Several senolytic compounds with the capability to eliminate senescent cells have been examined in vivo and in vitro with notable results, suggesting they may provide a novel therapeutic avenue. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge of cellular senescence and discussed the evidence of senescence in various brain cell types and its putative role in inflammaging and neurodegenerative processes

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor alterations in patients with suicide risk: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor levels (BDNF) have been investigated in the context of hormonal and endocrine biomarkers of suicide risk. Cross-sectional studies have compared BDNF between patients with versus without suicide risk. Several studies have found lower BDNF levels in patients with suicide risk compared to patients without, while few studies did not report significant differences. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze data to examine differences for (plasma and serum) BDNF levels between patients with versus without suicide risk. The primary outcomes will be measured as the mean or standardized mean differences for peripheral serum or plasma blood concentrations of BDNF. Further analyses will encompass subgroup analyses and meta-regression assessing the impact of factors such as age, sex, body mass index, diagnosis, psychotropic medications, symptom severity and publication year. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal

Evolucion de la presencia de las variables de gestion en las empresas de Talca : 1995-2000.

101 p.Esta memoria centra su estudio en las variables de gestion, pretende visualizar la evolución de estas variables a traves del tiempo comparndo en 2 momentos el año 1995 y el año 2000, estableciendo similitudes y diferencias para ambos años. De esta manera, el objetivo general es analizar la "evolución de la presencia de las variables de gestión"; y como objetivos específicos se determinaron las variables de gestion, el grado de presencia de estas en las empresas de la muestra para los momentos 1995 y 2000, y por último se determinó el comportamiento de ellas