Crosstalk between Neospora caninum and the bovine host at the maternal-foetal interface determines the outcome of infection

© The Author(s) 2020. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creat iveco mmons .org/licen ses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creat iveco mmons .org/publi cdoma in/ zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.[EN]Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan cyst-forming parasite that is considered one of the main causes of abortion. The pathogenic mechanisms associated with parasite virulence at the maternal-foetal interface that are responsible for the outcome of infection are largely unknown. Here, utilizing placentomes from cattle experimentally infected with high-virulence (Nc-Spain7) and low-virulence (Nc-Spain1H) isolates, we studied key elements of the innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), at 10 and 20 days post-infection (dpi). The low-virulence isolate elicited a robust immune response characterized by upregulation of genes involved in pathogen recognition, chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, crucial for its adequate control. In addition, Nc-Spain1H triggered the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and other mechanisms implicated in the maintenance of ECM integrity to ensure foetal survival. In contrast, local immune responses were initially (10 dpi) impaired by Nc-Spain7, allowing parasite multiplication. Subsequently (20 dpi), a predominantly pro-inflammatory Th1-based response and an increase in leucocyte infiltration were observed. Moreover, Nc-Spain7-infected placentomes from animals carrying non-viable foetuses exhibited higher expression of the IL-8, TNF-α, iNOS and SERP-1 genes and lower expression of the metalloproteases and their inhibitors than Nc-Spain7-infected placentomes from animals carrying viable foetuses. In addition, profound placental damage characterized by an alteration in the ECM organization in necrotic foci, which could contribute to foetal death, was found. Two different host-parasite interaction patterns were observed at the bovine placenta as representative examples of different evolutionary strategies used by this parasite for transmission to offspring.SIThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (AGL2013-44694-R and AGL2016-75935-C2-1-R) and the Community of Madrid (PLATESA2-CM P2018/BAA-4370). Laura Jiménez-Pelayo was financially supported by a fellowship from the University Complutense of Madrid (including two research stays in 2017 and 2018) and Marta García-Sánchez was financially supported through a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BES-2014-070723). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Diálogos Insurgentes entre Educação Ambiental e Culturas no Encontro Pesquisa em Educação Ambiental (EPEA)

This article aims to reflect on the theme Environmental Education and Cultures with an emphasis on the works presented since the first Research Meeting in Environmental Education in 2001 until the reflections that occurred in the Research Discussion Group of this research subfield, during the X EPEA of the year 2019. In addition to bringing an account of the discussions, the article focuses on the evolution of the themes of works related to cultures, presented in the first four editions of EPEA (2001-2007), in a modest state of art made using search terms related to the theme, present in their abstracts. We found that, during this period, investigations were, predominantly, linked to the categories of culture and knowledge, which were covered by works in all editions. The themes of Cultural Studies, Inter/multiculturality and Coloniality were not present in the investigations of this subfield presented at the EPEA, in the period, being necessary to deepen the extension of this phenomenon in magazines and databases of dissertations and theses, as well as to evaluate the epistemological and sociopolitical developments of the attention that has been given by the field of research in Environmental Education to the perspectives that recognize and give voice to different cultures, aiming to overcome the silencing processes that prevent full participation in decision-making processes and in social life. Such themes have recently appeared in GDP EA and Culturas that value dialogicity and inter/multiculturality, with criticisms of coloniality and expanding the epistemological, political-methodological and ontological possibilities of Environmental Education Research.Este artículo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre el tema Educación Ambiental y Culturas, con énfasis en los trabajos presentados desde la primera Reunión de Investigación en Educación Ambiental, en 2001, hasta las reflexiones que ocurrieron en el Grupo de Discusión de Investigación de este subcampo de investigación, durante el X EPEA del año 2019. Además de dar cuenta de las discusiones, el artículo se centra en la evolución de los temas de las obras relacionadas con las culturas, presentadas en las primeras cuatro ediciones de EPEA (2001-2007), en un estado modesto de arte realizado utilizando términos de búsqueda relacionados con el tema, presente en sus resúmenes. Descubrimos que, durante este período, las investigaciones estaban predominantemente vinculadas a las categorías de cultura y conocimiento, que estaban cubiertas por obras en todas las ediciones. Los temas de Estudios Culturales, Inter/multiculturalidad y Colonialidad no estuvieron presentes en las investigaciones de este subcampo presentado en el EPEA, en el período, siendo necesario profundizar la extensión de este fenómeno en revistas y bases de datos de disertaciones y tesis, así como evaluar los desarrollos epistemológicos y sociopolíticos de la atención que ha brindado el campo de la investigación en Educación Ambiental a las perspectivas que reconocen y dan voz a las diferentes culturas, con el objetivo de superar los procesos de silenciamiento que impiden la plena participación en los procesos de toma de decisiones y en la vida social. Tales temas han aparecido recientemente en GDP EA y Culturas que valoran la dialogicidad y la inter/multiculturalidad, con críticas a la colonialidad y ampliando las posibilidades epistemológicas, político-metodológicas y ontológicas de la Investigación en Educación Ambiental.Este artigo tem por objetivo refletir sobre a temática Educação Ambiental e Culturas, com ênfase nos trabalhos apresentados desde o primeiro Encontro Pesquisa em Educação Ambiental (EPEA), em 2001, até as reflexões ocorridas no Grupo de Discussão de Pesquisas (GDP) desse subcampo de pesquisa, durante o X EPEA, realizado em 2019. Para além de trazer um relato das discussões, o artigo se debruça sobre a evolução das temáticas dos trabalhos relacionados às culturas, apresentados nas quatro primeiras edições do EPEA (2001-2007), em um modesto estado da arte realizado por meio de termos de busca ligados à temática, presentes em seus resumos. Constatamos que, nesse período, as investigações estavam ligadas predominantemente às categorias cultura e saberes, que foram contempladas por trabalhos em todas as edições. Os temas dos Estudos Culturais, Inter/ multiculturalidade e Colonialidade não estiveram presentes nas investigações desse subcampo apresentadas no EPEA, no período, sendo necessário aprofundar a extensão desse fenômeno em revistas e bancos de dissertações e teses, bem como avaliar os desdobramentos epistemológicos e sociopolíticos da atenção que tem sido conferida pelo campo da pesquisa em Educação Ambiental às perspectivas que reconhecem e conferem a voz às diferentes culturas, visando superar os processos de silenciamento que impedem a participação plena nos processos decisórios e na vida social. Temáticas tais que aparecem recentemente no GDP EA e Culturas que valorizam a dialogicidade e a inter/multiculturalidade, com críticas à colonialidade e ampliando as possibilidades epistemológicas, político-metodológicas e ontológicas da Pesquisa em Educação Ambiental

Successful development and clinical translation of a novel anterior lamellar artificial cornea

We thank the Andalusian Public Foundation Progress and Health, through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies, for assuming the roles and responsibilities of sponsoring this clinical trial. We thank Dr. Manuel de la Rosa and Dr. Salvador Arias Santiago for providing insight and expertise that assisted the research.The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public repository, ref. GSE86584 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE86584Blindness due to corneal diseases is a common pathology affecting up to 23 million individuals worldwide. The tissue‐engineered anterior human cornea, which is currently being tested in a Phase I/II clinical trial to treat severe corneal trophic ulcers with preliminary good feasibility and safety results. This bioartificial cornea is based on a nanostructured fibrin–agarose biomaterial containing human allogeneic stromal keratocytes and cornea epithelial cells, mimicking the human native anterior cornea in terms of optical, mechanical, and biological behavior. This product is manufactured as a clinical‐grade tissue engineering product, fulfilling European requirements and regulations. The clinical translation process included several phases: an initial in vitro and in vivo preclinical research plan, including preclinical advice from the Spanish Medicines Agency followed by additional preclinical development, the adaptation of the biofabrication protocols to a good manufacturing practice manufacturing process, including all quality controls required, and the design of an advanced therapy clinical trial. The experimental development and successful translation of advanced therapy medicinal products for clinical application has to overcome many obstacles, especially when undertaken by academia or SMEs. We expect that our experience and research strategy may help future researchers to efficiently transfer their preclinical results into the clinical settings.This study was supported by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (I + D + I) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Carlos III Institute of Health), grants FIS PI14/0955 and FIS PI17/0391 (both cofinanced by ERDF‐FEDER, European Union); by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equity, grant EC10‐285; and by preclinical research funds from the Regional Ministry of Health through the Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies

Diseño e implementación de un taller de aprendizaje transversal basado en la resolución de problemas en Histología y Anatomía Patológica Veterinarias

Mediante el desarrollo de un taller práctico empleando las técnicas de aprendizaje basado en la resolución de problemas y deducción de pruebas, los alumnos de tres asignaturas diferentes pero relacionadas (Histología Veterinaria, Anatomía Patológica General y Especial), del grado en veterinaria, participaron en su propio proceso de aprendizaje, trabajando en equipo, desarrollando habilidades deductivas y críticas al resolver y analizar supuestos reales, que les ayudarán a estar mejor preparados para su futuro profesional

Emotional intelligence: A comparison between patients after first episode mania and those suffering from chronic bipolar disorder type i

Deficits in emotional intelligence (EI) were detected in patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD), but little is known about whether these deficits are already present in patients after presenting a first episode mania (FEM). We sought (i) to compare EI in patients after a FEM, chronic BD and healthy controls (HC); (ii) to examine the effect exerted on EI by socio-demographic, clinical and neurocognitive variables in FEM patients. Methods: The Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ) was calculated with the MayerSalovey-Caruso Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Performance on MSCEIT was compared among the three groups using generalized linear models. In patients after a FEM, the influence of socio-demographic, clinical and neurocognitive variables on the EIQ was examined using a linear regression model. Results: 184 subjects were included (FEM n=48, euthymic chronic BD type I n=75, HC n=61). BD patients performed significantly worse than HC on the EIQ (Mean Difference MD=10.09, Standard Error SE=3.14, p=0.004) and on the Understanding emotions branch (MD=7.46, SE=2.53, p=0.010). FEM patients did not differ from HC and BD on other measures of MSCEIT. In patients after a FEM, EIQ was positively associated with female sex (β=-0.293, p=0.034) and verbal memory performance (β=0.374, p=0.008). FEM patients performed worse than HC but better than BD on few neurocognitive domains. Conclusions: Patients after a FEM showed preserved EI, while patients in later stages of BD presented lower EIQ, suggesting that impairments in EI might result from the burden of disease and neurocognitive decline, associated with the chronicity of the illness

High IGKC-Expressing Intratumoral Plasma Cells Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade.

Este artículo ha sido publicado en la revista International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Esta versión tiene Licencia Creative Commons CC-BYResistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade (ICB) constitutes the current limiting factor for the optimal implementation of this novel therapy, which otherwise demonstrates durable responses with acceptable toxicity scores. This limitation is exacerbated by a lack of robust biomarkers. In this study, we have dissected the basal TME composition at the gene expression and cellular levels that predict response to Nivolumab and prognosis. BCR, TCR and HLA profiling were employed for further characterization of the molecular variables associated with response. The findings were validated using a single-cell RNA-seq data of metastatic melanoma patients treated with ICB, and by multispectral immunofluorescence. Finally, machine learning was employed to construct a prediction algorithm that was validated across eight metastatic melanoma cohorts treated with ICB. Using this strategy, we have unmasked a major role played by basal intratumoral Plasma cells expressing high levels of IGKC in efficacy. IGKC, differentially expressed in good responders, was also identified within the Top response-related BCR clonotypes, together with IGK variants. These results were validated at gene, cellular and protein levels; CD138+ Plasma-like and Plasma cells were more abundant in good responders and correlated with the same RNA-seq-defined fraction. Finally, we generated a 15-gene prediction model that outperformed the current reference score in eight ICB-treated metastatic melanoma cohorts. The evidenced major contribution of basal intratumoral IGKC and Plasma cells in good response and outcome in ICB in metastatic melanoma is a groundbreaking finding in the field beyond the role of T lymphocytes

Psychological Distress, Family Support and Employment Status in First-Year University Students in Spain

Mental disorders are consistently and closely related to psychological distress. At the start of the university period, the relationship between a student's psychological distress, family support, and employment status is not well-known. The aims of this study were: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress in first-year university students and to analyze its relationship with family support and the student's employment status. Data from 4166 first-year university students from nine universities across Spain were considered. The prevalence of psychological distress was obtained using the GHQ-12, a valid and reliable screening tool to detect poor mental health. To analyze the relationship between psychological distress, family support, and employment status, logistic regression models were fitted. Regarding the prevalence found, 46.9% of men and 54.2% of women had psychological distress. In both genders, psychological distress levels increased as family support decreased. Among women, psychological distress was associated with their employment status. The prevalence of psychological distress among first-year university students in Spain is high. In addition, family support, and employment status for women, could be factors to take into account when developing psychological distress prevention strategies at the beginning of the university period.This study was funded by the National Drug Plan from the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain (Codes: 2010|145 and 2013|034)

Epidemiologic Features and Control Measures during Monkeypox Outbreak, Spain, June 2022

During June 2022, Spain was one of the countries most affected worldwide by a multicountry monkeypox outbreak with chains of transmission without identified links to disease-endemic countries. We provide epidemiologic features of cases reported in Spain and the coordinated measures taken to respond to this outbreak.S

Precariedad, exclusión social y modelo de sociedad: lógicas y efectos subjetivos del sufrimiento social contemporáneo (IV). Innovación docente en Filosofía

El PIMCD “Precariedad, exclusión social y modelo de sociedad: lógicas y efectos subjetivos del sufrimiento social contemporáneo (IV). Innovación docente en Filosofía” constituye la cuarta edición de un PIMCD que ha recibido financiación en las últimas convocatorias de PIMCD UCM, de los que se han derivado actividades de formación para estudiantes de Grado, Máster y Doctorado y al menos 3 publicaciones colectivas publicadas por Ediciones Complutense, Siglo XXI y Palgrave McMillan