Distance constraints on activation of TRPV4 channels by AKAP150-bound PKCα in arterial myocytes.

TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4) channels are Ca2+-permeable channels that play a key role in regulating vascular tone. In arterial myocytes, opening of TRPV4 channels creates local increases in Ca2+ influx, detectable optically as "TRPV4 sparklets." TRPV4 sparklet activity can be enhanced by the action of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (AngII). This modulation depends on the activation of subcellular signaling domains that comprise protein kinase C α (PKCα) bound to the anchoring protein AKAP150. Here, we used super-resolution nanoscopy, patch-clamp electrophysiology, Ca2+ imaging, and mathematical modeling approaches to test the hypothesis that AKAP150-dependent modulation of TRPV4 channels is critically dependent on the distance between these two proteins in the sarcolemma of arterial myocytes. Our data show that the distance between AKAP150 and TRPV4 channel clusters varies with sex and arterial bed. Consistent with our hypothesis, we further find that basal and AngII-induced TRPV4 channel activity decays exponentially as the distance between TRPV4 and AKAP150 increases. Our data suggest a maximum radius of action of ∼200 nm for local modulation of TRPV4 channels by AKAP150-associated PKCα

Teaching the Medical Semiology at medical schools in the State of Rio de Janeiro

In order to describe the teaching of the Medical Semiology the State of Rio de Janeiro, we studied 14 undergraduate medical courses (11 private and 3 public). Using a quantitative and qualitative approach, data were obtained through document analysis of teaching programs, application of a form, and interviews with course coordinators. The objectives and contents of the Medical Semiology were similar between different medical schools, although they adopted different names, positions in the curriculum, and course load. The teaching-learning strategies, didactic resources, and grading or evaluation were also specific to each institution. One of the main difficulties was lack of standardization of practical teaching in basic clinical skills like medical interviews and physical examination, along with the lack of available learning scenarios and lack of integration between teaching, patient care, and research.Com o objetivo de caracterizar o ensino da Semiologia Médica no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, pesquisamos 14 cursos de graduação, sendo 11 privados e 3 públicos. Mediante abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, os dados foram obtidos por meio de análise documental dos programas de ensino, aplicação de formulário e entrevista aos coordenadores das disciplinas. Foi observada semelhança entre os objetivos e conteúdos de Semiologia das diferentes escolas de Medicina, apesar de existir diversificação na denominação, inserção curricular e carga horária. As estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem, os recursos didáticos e a avaliação também mostraram especificidade segundo a instituição. A falta de padronização do ensino prático da Semiotécnica foi considerada uma das principais dificuldades, assim como a escassa disponibilidade de cenários de aprendizagem e de integração entre docência, assistência e pesquisa.Faculdade de Medicina de PetrópolisUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP, EPM, São Paulo, BrazilSciEL

Análisis de las actividades de ocio en estudiantes de primer curso de la Facultad de Educación: Posibles repercusiones conductuales asociadas al consumo de alcohol

Based on responses to a questionnaire from a sample of 705 students (mean 19.2 years, 86% female) first year of the Faculty of Education, we investigated possible behavioural effects associated with different levels of alcohol consumption during the weekends (WE). The results showed that with increased alcohol consumption in WE is a concurrent increase in the percentage of smokers, consumers of illegal drugs, complaints of memory and difficulty waking up, and even detect some changes in attitudes and emotional reactions. To emphasize that this profile, with some exceptions related to the intensity, is valid for men and women, and is no related to any previous medical, psychological or school factor.A partir de las respuestas a un cuestionario de una muestra de 705 estudiantes (media 19,2 años, 86% mujeres) de primer curso de la Facultad de Educación, investigamos posibles repercusiones conductuales asociadas a distintos niveles de consumo de alcohol durante el fin de semana (FS). Los resultados mostraron que a mayor consumo de alcohol en FS se produce un aumento concurrente del porcentaje de fumadores, de consumidores de drogas ilegales, de quejas de memoria y de dificultades para despertarse, e incluso se detectan cambios en algunas actitudes y reacciones emocionales. A destacar que este perfil, salvo excepciones asociadas a la intensidad, es válido para varones y mujeres, y que no guarda relación con antecedentes médicos, psicológicos o escolares de los sujetos

Análisis de las actividades de ocio en estudiantes de primer curso de la Facultad de Educación: relación con el alcohol

Mediante un cuestionario hemos analizado las actividades de ocio durante el fin de semana (FS) y el peso que el consumo de alcohol tiene entre ellas en una muestra de 705 estudiantes (18-23 años, 86% mujeres) de nuestra Facultad. Las encuestas revelaron que durante el FS los jóvenes realizan sus principales actividades en ambientes en los que es frecuente el alcohol, y que, de hecho, tienen una amplia experiencia con su consumo, aunque con un perfil de intensidad muy variado. En general, el aumento del consumo en FS se asoció con una mayor prevalencia e intensidad de resacas y de consumo en días laborables. Este perfil, salvo excepciones, es válido para ambos sexos. En cualquier caso, los perfiles de consumo de nuestros estudiantes son similares a los revelados por otras encuestas realizadas a jóvenes españoles de la población general con edades similares.In this study we have analyzed through a questionnaire the leisure activities over the weekends and the weight of alcohol consumption is between them in a sample of 705 students (aged 18-23, 86% female) of our institution. The results showed that during the weekend students develop their main leisure activities in environments in which alcohol consumption is frequent, and that they also have an extensive experience with alcohol, but with very different profiles of intensity alcohol consumption between them. We found that as levels of alcohol consumption over weekends increase also increase the prevalence and intensity of hangovers and the alcohol consumption during weekdays. Emphasize that these results are, with few exceptions, similar in both sexes. In any case, the alcohol consumption profiles of our students are very similar to that shown by other surveys carried out in Spanish general population of similar age

Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)

The South American phorusrhacid bird radiation comprised at least 18 species of small to gigantic terrestrial predators for which there are no close modern analogs. Here we perform functional analyses of the skull of the medium-sized (,40 kg) patagornithine phorusrhacid Andalgalornis steulleti (upper Miocene-lower Pliocene, Andalgalá Formation, Catamarca, Argentina) to assess its mechanical performance in a comparative context. Based on computed tomographic (CT) scanning and morphological analysis, the skull of Andalgalornis steulleti is interpreted as showing features reflecting loss of intracranial immobility. Discrete anatomical attributes permitting such cranial kinesis are widespread phorusrhacids outgroups, but this is the first clear evidence of loss of cranial kinesis in a gruiform bird and may be among the best documented cases among all birds. This apomorphic loss is interpreted as an adaptation for enhanced craniofacial rigidity, particularly with regard to sagittal loading. We apply a Finite Element approach to a three-dimensional (3D) model of the skull. Based on regression analysis we estimate the bite force of Andalgalornis at the bill tip to be 133 N. Relative to results obtained from Finite Element Analysis of one of its closest living relatives (seriema) and a large predatory bird (eagle), the phorusrhacid's skull shows relatively high stress under lateral loadings, but low stress where force is applied dorsoventrally (sagittally) and in ''pullback'' simulations. Given the relative weakness of the skull mediolaterally, it seems unlikely that Andalgalornis engaged in potentially risky behaviors that involved subduing large, struggling prey with its beak. We suggest that it either consumed smaller prey that could be killed and consumed more safely (e.g., swallowed whole) or that it used multiple well-targeted sagittal strikes with the beak in a repetitive attack-and-retreat strategy.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A toolbox of nanobodies developed and validated for use as intrabodies and nanoscale immunolabels in mammalian brain neurons.

Nanobodies (nAbs) are small, minimal antibodies that have distinct attributes that make them uniquely suited for certain biomedical research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Prominent uses include as intracellular antibodies or intrabodies to bind and deliver cargo to specific proteins and/or subcellular sites within cells, and as nanoscale immunolabels for enhanced tissue penetration and improved spatial imaging resolution. Here, we report the generation and validation of nAbs against a set of proteins prominently expressed at specific subcellular sites in mammalian brain neurons. We describe a novel hierarchical validation pipeline to systematically evaluate nAbs isolated by phage display for effective and specific use as intrabodies and immunolabels in mammalian cells including brain neurons. These nAbs form part of a robust toolbox for targeting proteins with distinct and highly spatially-restricted subcellular localization in mammalian brain neurons, allowing for visualization and/or modulation of structure and function at those sites

Morfologia de semillas y plántulas de arboles de los bosques humedos tropicales del suroriente de antioquia, colombia (ii parte).

Se describen las características morfológicas de las semillas y las plántulas de nazareno (Peltogyne paniculata), peinemono (Apeiba membranacea Spruce ex Benth), sapán (Clathotropis brachypetala (Tul.) Kleinh.), sota amarilla (Virola sebífera) y sota negra (Virola flexuosa A.C. Sm.). También se incluyen algunas observaciones y revisión de literatura sobre otros aspectos de la biología reproductiva de estas especies, el hábitat, la descripción taxonómica y los usos

Using Supervised Learning Algorithms as a Follow-Up Method in the Search of Gravitational Waves from Core-Collapse Supernovae

We present a follow-up method based on supervised machine learning (ML) to improve the performance in the search of gravitational wave (GW) bursts from core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) using the coherent WaveBurst (cWB) pipeline. The ML model discriminates noise from signal events by using a set of reconstruction parameters provided by cWB as features. Detected noise events are discarded yielding a reduction in the false alarm rate (FAR) and the false alarm probability thus enhancing the statistical significance. We tested the proposed method using strain data from the first half of the third observing run of advanced LIGO, and CCSNe GW signals extracted from 3D simulations. The ML model is tuned using a dataset of noise and signal events, and then used to identify and discard noise events in the cWB analyses. Noise and signal reduction levels were examined in single (L1 and H1) and two detector networks (L1H1). The FAR was reduced by a factor of ∼10 to ∼100 resulting in an enhancement in the statistical significance of ∼1σ to ∼2σ, while not impacting the detection efficiencies