Estradiol Stimulates Vasodilatory and Metabolic Pathways in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

Vascular effects of estradiol are being investigated because there are controversies among clinical and experimental studies. DNA microarrays were used to investigate global gene expression patterns in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to 1 nmol/L estradiol for 24 hours. When compared to control, 187 genes were identified as differentially expressed with 1.9-fold change threshold. Supervised principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the differences between control and estradiol-treated samples. Physiological concentrations of estradiol are sufficient to elicit significant changes in HUVEC gene expression. Notch signaling, actin cytoskeleton signaling, pentose phosphate pathway, axonal guidance signaling and integrin signaling were the top-five canonical pathways significantly regulated by estrogen. A total of 26 regulatory networks were identified as estrogen responsive. Microarray data were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR in cardiovascular meaning genes; cyclooxigenase (COX)1, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH)2, phospholipase A2 group IV (PLA2G4) B, and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase were up-regulated by estradiol in a dose-dependent and estrogen receptor-dependent way, whereas COX2, DDAH1 and PLA2G4A remained unaltered. Moreover, estradiol-induced COX1 gene expression resulted in increased COX1 protein content and enhanced prostacyclin production. DDAH2 protein content was also increased, which in turn decreased asymmetric dimethylarginine concentration and increased NO release. All stimulated effects of estradiol on gene and protein expression were estrogen receptor-dependent, since were abolished in the presence of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. This study identifies new vascular mechanisms of action by which estradiol may contribute to a wide range of biological processes

An example of Space Engineering Education in Spain: a master in space based on Project-Based Learning (PBL)

This work describes the successful education experience for five years of space engineering education at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain. The MSc. in Space Systems (MUSE, Máster Universitario en Sistemas Espaciales) is a 2-year and 120-ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) master program organized by the Microgravity Institute ‘Ignacio Da Riva’ (IDR/UPM), a research institute of UPM with extensive experience in the space sector. The teaching methodology is oriented to Project Based Learning (PBL), taking advantage of the IDR/UPM Institute experience. The main purposes are to share the IDR/UPM knowledge with the students and promote their collaboration with several space scientific institutions, both national and international. In the present work, the most relevant characteristics of this master program are described, highlighting the importance of the student’s participation in actual missions. In addition, to offer practical cases in all aspects of satellite development, the IDR/UPM decided to create its own satellite development program, the UPMSats. The latest, the UPMSat-2, is an educational, scientific, and in-orbit technological demonstration microsatellite (50 kg-class) that was launched in September 2020 on-board a Vega launcher (VV-16 flight). MUSE students have participated in all phases of the mission, from design to integration, calibration, and testing, and (at present) in-orbit operation. The construction of a microsatellite, although it exceeds in time the academic duration of the master, has proven to be a very interesting and versatile tool for PBL education, since it provides practical cases at all levels of development. Furthermore, the continuity of the project encourages graduated students to continue their education with a Ph.D. and the collaboration of master and doctoral students. These reasons have made MUSE one of the most successful academic programs in space systems engineering in Spain, with high employment rates in the most prestigious space engineering institution

Apatite mineralization process from silicocarnotite bioceramics: mechanism of crystal growth and maturation

A mechanism for the formation and crystallization processes of bone-like apatite grown on non-stoichiometric silicocarnotite (SC) is here proposed. Single-phase SC powders and ceramics were obtained from fixed mixtures of hydroxyapatite and bioactive glass 45S5. The bioactive behavior of SC was assessed by immersion in Hank´s solution at different times. Afterward, a systematic theoretical-experimental study of the structural properties at the micro and nanoscale using TEM was performed and correlated with SEM, EDX, XRD, and Raman techniques to determine the apatite mineralization process from the SC phase. The initial stage of apatite formation from SC was identified as the hydration and further polymerization of silanol groups, resulting in a silica-based hydrogel, which plays a critical role in the ionic exchange. As a result of the adsorption of ionic species from the medium into the silica-based hydrogel, the precipitation of crystalline apatitic structures starts through the emergence of newly formed SC nanocrystals, which act as a template for the crystallization process of a substituted apatite with SC-like structure. Then, due to the polymorphism between SC and HAp structures, the apatite layer retains the SC periodic arrangement following an epitaxial-like growth mechanism. Identification of the apatite layer formation mechanism is critical to understand its physical and chemical properties, which controls the long-term dissolution/precipitation rate of bioactive materials and their performance in the biological environment

The UPMSat-2 Satellite: an academic project within aerospace engineering education

Today, project-based learning is a well-known methodology in engineering education. In the IDR/UPM Institute of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), different lines of research have been developed to involve students into projects related to aerodynamics (both theoretical and experimental), fluid dynamics on low gravity, and space science (heat transfer).Although these lines of research were initially related to the Ph.D. programs integrated within the academic plan of the university, the increasing interest among the bachelor and master students on research and projects linked to the most advanced engineering techniques, prompted the IDR/UPM academic staff to offer some specific projects to these students as their final degree thesis. In the present work, the UPMSat-2 satellite project is analyzed as an academic tool to involve different groups of students into a big project,encouraging them not only to develop specific skills in relation to a single subsystem of the satellite, but also to harmonize their work with the results from other groups of students working on other different subsystems.The different groups of students were directed by the professors of the IDR/UPM Institute. These students being mainly from two different degrees at UPM: Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering and Master’s Degree in Space Systems (MUSE). The main difference between these two groups being the amount of work carried out to fulfill the degree requirements. For the Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, a 300-hour average project is required, whereas for the Master’s Degree in Space Systems this limit increases to 450 hours. Taking into account the aforementioned figures, the importance of having motivated students is crucial. In this sense, a project like the UPMSat-2 has revealed itself as a formidable way to gather students and professors around a common engineering task. It should be pointed out that this kind of satellite, a 50-kg spacecraft, allows a more complex engineering management when compared to the cubesats (that is, engineering operations such as testing, integration or harnessing are closer to the ones related to commercial or military aircraft). Besides, as the UPMSat-2 is used as a platform to qualify space technologies for engineering enterprises (Iberespacio, Bartington, SSVB, Tecnobit, Arquimea…), students are in contact with commercial enterprises from the space sector, this fact being also important in order to increase their motivation. In the present work the educational benefits of the UPMSat-2 program in relation to the Master’s Degree in Space Systems (MUSE) are thoroughly described, some examples of the projects carried out by the students being summarized. satellite design, space technology, project-based learning, active learning

The Bacterial Mucosal Immunotherapy MV130 Protects Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Improves COVID-19 Vaccines Immunogenicity

COVID-19-specific vaccines are efficient prophylactic weapons against SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, boosting innate responses may represent an innovative way to immediately fight future emerging viral infections or boost vaccines. MV130 is a mucosal immunotherapy, based on a mixture of whole heat-inactivated bacteria, that has shown clinical efficacy against recurrent viral respiratory infections. Herein, we show that the prophylactic intranasal administration of this immunotherapy confers heterologous protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in susceptible K18-hACE2 mice. Furthermore, in C57BL/6 mice, prophylactic administration of MV130 improves the immunogenicity of two different COVID-19 vaccine formulations targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, inoculated either intramuscularly or intranasally. Independently of the vaccine candidate and vaccination route used, intranasal prophylaxis with MV130 boosted S-specific responses, including CD8+-T cell activation and the production of S-specific mucosal IgA antibodies. Therefore, the bacterial mucosal immunotherapy MV130 protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection and improves COVID-19 vaccines immunogenicity.CF was supported by AECC Foundation (INVES192DELF) and is currently funded by the Miguel Servet program (ID: CP20/00106) (ISCIII). IH-M receives the support of a fellowship from la Caixa Foundation (ID 100010434, fellowship code: LCF/BQ/IN17/11620074) and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 713673. AJ-C is a postgraduate fellow of the City Council of Madrid at the Residencia de Estudiantes (2020–2021). GD is supported by an European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Long-term fellowship (ALTF 379-2019). This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. Project number 892965. OL and JA-C acknowledge Comunidad de Madrid (Tec4Bio-CM, S2018/NMT-4443, FEDER). Work in OL laboratory was funded by CNIO with the support of the projects Y2018/BIO4747 and P2018/NMT4443 from Comunidad de Madrid and co-funded by the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. The CNIO is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). Work at CNB and CISA is funded by the Spanish Health Ministry, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Fondo COVID-19 grant COV20/00151, and Fondo Supera COVID-19 (Crue Universidades-Banco Santander) (to JG-A). Work in the DS laboratory is funded by the CNIC; by the European Research Council (ERC-2016-Consolidator Grant 725091); by Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-108157RB); by Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3733 Immunothercan-CM); by Fondo Solidario Juntos (Banco Santander); by a research agreement with Inmunotek S.L.; and by Fundació La Marató de TV3 (201723). The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the MICINN, and the Pro CNIC Foundation.Peer reviewe

Nut production in Bertholletia excelsa across a logged forest mosaic: implications for multiple forest use

Although many examples of multiple-use forest management may be found in tropical smallholder systems, few studies provide empirical support for the integration of selective timber harvesting with non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction. Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) is one of the world’s most economically-important NTFP species extracted almost entirely from natural forests across the Amazon Basin. An obligate out-crosser, Brazil nut flowers are pollinated by large-bodied bees, a process resulting in a hard round fruit that takes up to 14 months to mature. As many smallholders turn to the financial security provided by timber, Brazil nut fruits are increasingly being harvested in logged forests. We tested the influence of tree and stand-level covariates (distance to nearest cut stump and local logging intensity) on total nut production at the individual tree level in five recently logged Brazil nut concessions covering about 4000 ha of forest in Madre de Dios, Peru. Our field team accompanied Brazil nut harvesters during the traditional harvest period (January-April 2012 and January-April 2013) in order to collect data on fruit production. Three hundred and ninety-nine (approximately 80%) of the 499 trees included in this study were at least 100 m from the nearest cut stump, suggesting that concessionaires avoid logging near adult Brazil nut trees. Yet even for those trees on the edge of logging gaps, distance to nearest cut stump and local logging intensity did not have a statistically significant influence on Brazil nut production at the applied logging intensities (typically 1–2 timber trees removed per ha). In one concession where at least 4 trees ha-1 were removed, however, the logging intensity covariate resulted in a marginally significant (0.09) P value, highlighting a potential risk for a drop in nut production at higher intensities. While we do not suggest that logging activities should be completely avoided in Brazil nut rich forests, when a buffer zone cannot be observed, low logging intensities should be implemented. The sustainability of this integrated management system will ultimately depend on a complex series of socioeconomic and ecological interactions. Yet we submit that our study provides an important initial step in understanding the compatibility of timber harvesting with a high value NTFP, potentially allowing for diversification of forest use strategies in Amazonian Perù

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Página 298 con error de impresiónEstudio cariológico en dos especies de Serránidos del Mediterráneo (Peces: PerciformesRelaciones morfométricas de Atherina boyeri Risso (Pisces: Atherinidae) de la laguna de Zoñar (Córdoba, España)Contribución al conocimiento de la biometríay osteología de Barbus barbus bocagei, Steindachner, 1866 (Pisces: CyprinidaeLa actividad de la salamandra, Salamandra salamandra (L.), en Galicia.Estudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España.1. BiometríaEstudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España. II. AlimentaciónBiología de la reproducción de Rana iberica Boulenger 1879 en zonas simpátridas con Rana temporaria Linneo, 1758Nuevos datos sobre la distribución geográfica de Lacerta monticola cantabrica Mertens, 1929. (Sauria, lacertidae).Datos sobre Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 (Saurio: lacertidae)en el oeste del Sistema Central.Nueva especie de Anolis (lacertilia, Iguanidae) para CubaEtograma cuantificado del cortejo en Falco naumannOntogénesis del comportamiento predador en Falco naumanniContaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacional de Doñana. 1. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados y mercurio en anseriformes y gruiformesReproducción del críalo (Clamator glandarius) en Sierra Morena CentraNidificación de Picus viridis en taludes de arcilla en Ramblas de Guadix (Granada)Comportamiento del calamón Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) en Doñana, Marismas del GuadalquiviBiología y ecología de la malvasía (Oxyura leucocephala) en Andalucía.On the differential diet of Carnivora in islands:a method for analysing it and a particular case.Notas sobre la distribución pasada y actual del meloncillo Herpestes ichneumon (L.) en la Península IbéricaEstructuración de las interacciones en una camada de lobos (Canís lupus)Nuevos datos sobre la distribución del Cottus gobio L. (pisces, cottidae) en EspañaSobre la alimentación de Callopistes maculatus (Reptilia,teiidaeObservación de Lacerta lepida depredando un nido de Alectoris rufaNueva cita del galápago leproso Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812) en los pirineosPrimera cita de Psammodromus hispanicus (Fitzinger) para GaliciaSobre la presencia de Gallotia (=Lacerta) atlantica (Peters y Doria, 1882) en Gran CanariaNota sobre las Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 de las zonas del norte de GaliciaPrimeras notas herpetológicas de la provincia de Soria.Datos sobre selección de hábitat y ecología alimenticia del porrón pardo (Aythya nyroca)Probable nueva área de cría del pechiazul (Luscinia svecica cyanecula) en el sistema central. PerisPredación de Falco peregrinus y Falco subbuteo sobre quirópterosResultados de la producción de Oxyura leucocephala en el año 1981 en las lagunas de Zóñar y el rincónAnálisis de la dieta de Tyto alba en un medio árido antropógeno de los alrededores de Almería¿Son Eudocimus ruber y E. albus distintas especies?EL Estornino pinto (Sturnus vulgaris) en Canarias: nueva especie nidifiante en el archipiélagoDatos sobre la alimentación otoñal del cárabo (Strix aluco) en la sierra de CádizObservación primaveral de rapaces y otras aves en el páramo del estado de Mérida (Venezuela).Murciélago hematófago (Desmodus rotundus) parasitando a un chigüire (Hidrochoerus hydrochaeris)Observaciones sobre la reproducción del zacatuche o teporinho Romerolagus diazi (Mammalia: lagomorpha)Estudio electroforético de hemoglobinas y esterasas sanguíneas en Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Chiroptera: rhinolophidae) y de hemoglobinas en Tadaria taeniotis (chiroptera: molossidae)Peer reviewe

Validación de la entrevista diagnóstica para estudios genéticos (DIGS) en Colombia.

An interview tool, Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS 3.0), was translated into Spanish for application in studies of psychiatric disorders in Colombia. Two Spanish translations of the original English version of DIGS were prepared and back-translated into English. A review committee verified the linguistic and cultural equivalence of the translations. The evaluator and test-retest reliability were assessed calculating Cohen's kappa for samples of 65 and 91 patients respectively. DIGS proved valid in both appearance and content. The confidence interval (C.I.) was excellent for schizophrenia (kappa = 0.81, C.I. 95% = 0.68-0.93), bipolar disorder (kappa = 0.87, C.I. 95% = 0.75-0.99), major depressive disorder (kappa = 0.86, C.I. 95% = 0.70-1.00), and for a normal diagnosis (kappa = 0.65, C.I. 95% = 0.41-0.89); it was good for other psychiatric diagnosis (kappa = 0.65, C.I. 95% = 0.41-0.89) and poor for schizoaffective disorder (kappa = 0.37, C.I. 95% = -0.02-0.76). Test-retest reliability was excellent for all diagnoses (kappa > 0.8), except for ""other psychiatric diagnoses"" (kappa = 0.64, C.I. 95% = 0.31-0.96). The Spanish translation of the DIGS was comprehensible, with face and content validity, and good test-retest and evaluator reliability. This translation will be a useful tool for genetic studies of psychiatric disorders in Latin America, particularly where schizophrenia and affective disorders are involved.Objetivo: validar la entrevista diagnóstica para estudios genéticos (DIGS 3.0) en Colombia. Métodos: se hicieron dos traducciones del inglés al español del DIGS y se hizo traducción en sentido inverso (al inglés) de cada una. Un comité de revisión verificó la equivalencia translingüística y transcultural. Se evaluó la confiabilidad examen-reexamen e interevaluador del DIGS 3.0 en 65 y 91 pacientes, respectivamente, mediante el cálculo de kappa de Cohen. Resultados: el DIGS 3.0 mostró ser comprensible, con validez de apariencia y de contenido. La confiabilidad interevaluador fue excelente para esquizofrenia (k=0,81, IC95%: 0,68-0,93), trastorno bipolar (k=0,87, IC95%: 0,75-0,99), trastorno depresivo mayor (k=0,86, IC95%: 0,7- 1) y ausencia de trastorno psiquiátrico (k=0,88, IC95%: 0,71-1); fue buena para otro diagnóstico psiquiátrico (k=0,65, IC95%: 0,41-0,89) y pobre para trastorno esquizoafectivo (k=0,37, IC95%: -0,02-0,76). La confiabilidad examen-reexamen fue excelente para todos los diagnósticos (k>0,8), excepto para otro diagnóstico psiquiátrico (k=0,64, IC95%: 0,31-0,96), donde fue buena. Conclusiones: la versión en español del DIGS para Colombia mostró comprensibilidad, validez de apariencia y de contenido, y confiabilidad examen-reexamen e interevaluador. Es una herramienta útil para estudios genéticos en esquizofrenia y en trastornos afectivos